- For the longer more challenging 8.6 mile/2,140ft gain hike park at the Massanutten trailhead.
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Mile 0.0 - The Scothorn Gap parking and trailhead has two campsites if you are car camping. Cross Passage Creek and pass around a closed gate. The yellow blazed Scothorn Gap Trail is steep and rocky. The trail utilizes a forestry access road for the first 1.1 miles before arriving at Scothorn Gap.
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Mile 1.1 - There is a large clearing and campsite under the trees at Scothorn Gap. Continue along the trail passing a pond on the left before reaching the intersection of the orange blazed Massanutten Trail.
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Mile 1.4 - The yellow blazed Scothorn Gap Trail turns left here, with the orange blazed Massanutten Trail coming in from the right then turning uphill. Stay straight on the orange blazed Massanutten Trail, then arriving at the ridge and intersection of the pink blazed Strickler Knob trail on the right in another 0.6 miles.
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Mile 2.0 - Now the fun starts. Firstly, thank you to the trail builders! This used to be a formidable bushwhack. The Strickler Knob trail is marked with pink blazes on the rocks, but may not be there as they have previously been removed by the Forestry Service. The trail will also appear to end in several places, but keep heading along the ridge and you'll pick the trail back up. After 0.3 miles pass a rock outcrop and view to the west and north across from a campsite. From this vista, continue on the trail rock hopping for another 0.4 miles to another opening, and beautiful vista to the southwest.
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Mile 2.5 - Intersection with the blue blazed overlook trail. Follow the blue trail down to the east. The trail is hard to follow in places, and there is a nice overlook to the south shortly before arriving at one of the prettiest view campsites in western Virginia. There are views of the town of Luray and South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Return back to the intersection with the pink blazed Strickler Knob Trail.
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Mile 2.7 - From this point the rock hopping and bouldering becomes more intense. Shortly pass another campsite with views east, then the first obstacle is a 12ft climb over a small rock wall. Just before the the main summit pass through a group of three boulders. This is not the summit stack! Once through the crack continue to follow the blazes, pass a small overhang, and climb a 6ft ledge.
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Mile 2.9 - The main summit is accessed through a rock crack on the left. Continue for another 30ft to the southern summit overlook. Climbing to the main summit provides a 360 degree view of the Luray Valley and New Market Gap. To return retrace your route.
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Mile 5.4 - Arrive back at the Scothorn Gap parking area.
