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Tuscarora - Veach Gap Trail (Forest Trail #405.1)

Tuscarora Trail that is located in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. The trail follows an extensive route that bypasses the Appalachian Trail by following mountain ridges to the west. It connects to the Appalachian Trail at both its northern and southern ends. This complete trail was originally built as separate trails—the Tuscarora Trail in the north and the Big Blue Trail in the south. The Tuscarora Trail departs to the west from the Appalachian Trail at the top of Blue Mountain about 10 miles west of the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg, PA and rejoins the Appalachian Trail in the North District of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

Trail Open To:

Specific Trail Information

Trail Type

Standard/Terra Trail — A trail that has a surface consisting predominantly of the ground and that is designed and managed to accommodate use on that surface.

General Information

  • Trail Length: 1.7 miles
  • Blazes: Blue/orange/yellow
  • Trail Difficulty: Moderate
  • Connecting Trails: FT #408 - Massanutten Mountain National Recreation Trail
  • Elevation: 800 feet to 1720 feet
  • Trail Access Points (Approximate LAT/LONG):
  • Trail Etiquette: Trail etiquette for multiple use trails calls for horses to have the right-of-way. Hikers should yield to horses. Bicyclists should yield to horses and hikers. Horse riders are responsible for the control of their horse at all times.

Open year round

No fee.

No drinking water available. All water taken from natural sources should be purified before use.

Getting There

Directions

From I-81: Take exit 296 and turn east, on Highway 55 for 1.4 miles. In Strasburg (traffic light), turn left to remain on Highway 55. Travel 5.0 miles and turn right onto SR 678 in the small community of Waterlick. The Signal Knob Parking Lot will be on your right in approximately 3.0 miles. 

From I-66: Take Exit 6 (Front Royal) and proceed south on SR 340/522 for 1.3 miles until you come to a stoplight. Turn right onto Highway 55 West for 5 miles to the small community of Waterlick. Turn left onto SR 678 and go approximately 3.0 miles to the Signal Knob Parking Lot.

Additional Information

Operated By

Lee Ranger District: (540) 984 - 4101

Recreation Opportunities

Last updated June 6th, 2025