Take a less-traveled day trip

By Joe Steiner, Naturalist

Signal Knob is a 10-mile loop trail less traveled and a little closer than Shenandoah's Skyline Drive hikes. Photo by Joe Steiner

To see some fall classic autumn colors in the mountains, and avoid the traffic on Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive, try Signal Knob on Massanutten Mountain in George Washington National Forest. Just over an hour's drive from Reston, the Signal Knob trailhead (38.935-78.320) is your entry to this 10-mile loop on the Massanutten, Meneka Peak, and Tuscarora Trails. The climb is 1,500 feet, and the trail can be rocky, so lace your shoes securely and bring your poles. There are plenty of campsites if you want to do an overnight trip (no permits or reservations required!), and I've marked some nice ones on the map.

Going counterclockwise up the Massanutten Trail (orange blazes) gets the rockiest parts done first. Enjoy the view from Signal Knob, and retrace your steps for about a mile back to the Meneka Peak trail. If you have the time and ambition, take the Meneka Peak trail (white blazes) to the Tuscarora (blue blazes), then watch for signs to Signal Knob parking on the Massanutten trail. Otherwise, head back to your car on the Massanutten Trail. A map is available in the store, and a guidebook is available from the PATC.