Southern Traverse: 38.166801 -79.408699 A great epic ride in Virginia's George Washington National Forest. This trail is best ridden counter-clockwise from the FR173. Your ride will consist of 35 miles of fireroad, singletrack and paved road. You start with a switch back fireroad climb for 5 miles. Taking a left onto the Shenandoah Mountain Trail, you have to earn your reward up front with a steep climb for another mile. After this initial climb, you will travel 15 miles of rolling ups and downs & rock gardens, with incredible views all the way. The last 5 miles of this singletrack are the best rippin downhill around! But keep enough energy in those legs for the last 15 mile road ride back to your vehicle! Deerfield Valley is absolutely gorgeous and will help preoccupy your mind for the long road back. This course was ridden in a counter-clockwise direction starting on FR173. Difficulty : 5 (1-easiest 5-hardest) Important Route Numbers: FR173, Shenandoah Mtn Trail(left), Rt627(left), Rt629(left) back to FR173 Parking: This area is a right-of-way road only, the land is private so please park only in the area between the creek on FR173 and the road on the left- thanks. Google Maps are Interactive!!!- click for directions or to zoom in/out!!

View Larger Map