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Laurel Run and Gusty Point Hike

The Laurel Run/Stack Rocks circuit has some of the best views in the area. The panoramic views along orange blazed North Mountain Trail and from Gusty Point are spectacular on a clear day. If the first gate is closed just before Laurel Run you will have to park just before crossing Laurel Run. The hike will be 8.8 miles long from this point. If the gate is open you can avoid the extra out and back on FDR252 by parking 1.1 miles further at the yellow blazed Laurel Run Trail entrance reducing the hike to 6.6 miles.

The hike to Gusty Point can also be done as as an easy 1.5 mile out and back hike from the parking area on FR 691, 0.1 miles from the North Mountain trailhead. 38.927119, -78.737627

If you park a the first gate start the hike by walking 1.1 miles up FDR252 before arriving at the start of the loop where the closed gate and yellow blazed Laurel Run Trail turns to your right.

Start up the yellow blazed trail and in one hundred yards arrive at a split in the trail. Bear left continuing up yellow blazed Laurel Run Trail for 2.1 miles. The trail will pass through two wildlife clearings before winding back and forth becoming steeper as it gets close to the mountain ridge. Just before reaching the junction of the North Mountain Trail, Laurel Run Trail will pass a small pond on your left.

Arrive at the junction of the North Mountain Trail and a forestry service road. Orange blazed North Mountain Trail will turn left. Take the orange blazed trail for 0.7 miles and look for a white blazed side trail that will take you to the Gusty Point Overlook.

Continue for another 1.6 miles as the orange blazed trail crosses over two more knolls on the mountain before arriving at the junction of the purple blazed Stack Rocks Trail.

Turn left downhill on the purple blazed Stack Rocks Trail as it winds steeply downhill for 1.3 miles before arriving at the junction of the blue blazed FDR252 road.

Turn left on blue blazed FDR252 for 0.9 miles as it winds back around the valley to the starting point of the loop and yellow blazed Laurel Run Trail on your left.

If you had to park at the lower parking area continue down FDR252 for the remaining 1.1 miles back to the lower parking area.

Explore 80 trails near Basye, VA

Know Before You Go

  • This 7.5-mile (or variable length) Laurel Run/Gusty Point loop hike near Basye, VA, offers panoramic views, especially from the North Mountain Trail and Gusty Point.
  • The hike length varies (6.6, 7.5, or 8.8 miles) depending on parking location, influenced by whether the gate on FDR252 is open or closed.
  • Gusty Point can be accessed as a shorter 1.5-mile out-and-back hike from FR 691 if preferred, utilizing coordinates 38.927119, -78.737627.
Interactive topographic map for Laurel Run and Gusty Point Hike located in Basye, VA. Click the "View Map" button to load GPS coordinates and trail markers.
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Distance
7.5 mi
Difficulty
Moderate
Type
Loop
Est. Time
3.8 hrs
Elev. Gain
1,981'
Rating
3.9
Added
February 01, 2025
Updated
April 04, 2025

Weather Forecast

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Total Change
1,668'
Ascent
1,981'
Descent
1,966'
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Features

Vista / Lookout Point
Dogs
Camping

Points of interest

  1. Parking

    38.890714, -78.732319
  2. Main Trailhead

    38.890714, -78.732319

Safety information

For your own safety: plan ahead, let someone know where you'll be, and hike at your own risk.

Hazards

Snakes (Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, others)
Poison Ivy or Poison Oak

Availability

All seasons

Surface type

Dirt

Trip Reports (Reviews)

Rated 3.9 out of 5 based on 31 ratings.

Ready to help fellow hikers? Add a trip report to share your experience and provide valuable insights for other hikers!

By: Jakob
7.5 miles / 12.1 km
January 03, 2018
This was a fantastic hike! I have hiked most trails in this area (Tibbett knob, Little/Big Schloss) and I can say this is probably my favorite. It's not too difficult, so amateur hikers do not need to worry. It's definitely a workout, but it's very doable. First of all, driving to the gates can be intimidating due to the abundant "No Trespassing" signs, but just ignore them. You get onto National Forest land soon enough. Luckily, the first gate was unlocked at the time of my hike. There was a handmade sign saying "Warning: traps ahead" right when I got onto the yellow blazed trail. As I am not an expert trapper, I didn't know what to look for. After a mile of carefully placing my steps, I came to the quite obvious trap: a tepee structure with some fur suspended by a stick above it! The white blazed overlook trail isn't much of a trail at all, so I can see why some have missed it. It's really just a 20 foot long narrow pathway on your left that goes toward a small rock formation. The overlook had one of the best views in the county and was a perfect place to eat lunch. I hiked in winter, so I had no foliage to worry about. I can see how some that hiked in other seasons had an obstructed view. All turns were very obvious, so it was hard to get lost. Just remember yellow-orange-purple-blue and you'll be fine. I saw absolutely no one on the trail, and barely any wildlife save for a few birds. Absolute solitude and silence. This hike is definitely a 5, just try to go in winter! Sidenote: On one of the pictures, there is a label pointing to Massanutten ski area. This is actually Bryce resort Massanutten is much further south, past Harrisonburg.
Legacy Review
By: Alex
7.5 miles / 12.1 km
September 04, 2017
Overall the hike was fine. It's in the national forest, so it's not a maintained trail. It's nice in that you'll see few other hikers and there are some pretty parts to the hike. But, I'll reiterate what others have said and tell you this does not have panoramic views. In fact, the off-trail views are few, far between, and unimpressive. I'd look elsewhere if you're looking to get up high and get some nice views of the surrounding countryside.
Legacy Review
By: Ed Matthews
7.5 miles / 12.1 km
May 14, 2017
This was a hike that I really enjoyed, despite not paying attention and making a wrong turn while jibber-jabbering with my wife, a slight 3-mile oops. Solitude: only us. Views: up top, quite enjoyable views of Great North Mountain to the south and Devil's Hole Mountain to the east. Best hiked when no leaves on the trees. Varied Habitats: wet woodlands, open wildlife management areas, dry upland woods, ridge walk, grassy bald up top, all very interesting. Difficulty: It wasn't. Cons: a considerable road walk in and out. Photos and trip report: https://mangiabeve.blogspot.com/2017/05/laurel-run-orkney-springs-va.html
Legacy Review
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