The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) maintains and manages the approximate 250 mile 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 ten miles west of the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg, PA. and rejoins the Appalachian Trail in the North District of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
Detailed Description (North–South)
Section 1: Sterrets Gap
Appalachian Trail to PA 74, 12.5 miles, Map J
The Sterrets Gap section begins at the junction of the Tuscarora, Darlington, and Appalachian trails on Blue Mountain in State Game Lands #170 (el. 1260 ft.). The trail follows the Blue Mountain ridge line through Deans Gap, Sterrets Gap, and Cranes Gap. South of Cranes Gap the trail continues along the ridge and then descends the north side on Longs Gap Road, passing the boundary of the Florence Jones Reineman Wildlife Sanctuary. At the base of the ridge (el. 900 ft.), the trail turns and follows Polecat Road to PA 74 and Greens Valley Road.
Section 2: Flat Rock
PA 74 to Colonel Denning State Park/PA 233, 12.4 miles, Map J
This section begins at the junction of PA 74 and Greens Valley Road. After traveling a short distance on Greens Valley Road, the trail turns and climbs to the top of Barkley Ridge (el. 1855 ft.). The trail then continues on Blue Mountain through McClures Gap and Berrys Gap. From Berrys Gap, the trail descends into Wildcat Hollow and enters the Tuscarora State Forest. The trail re-ascends Blue Mountain to reach the Flat Rock Vista overlooking the Cumberland Valley. The trail continues southwest descending into Doubling Gap and Colonel Denning State Park at PA 233.
Section 3: Blue Mountain
Colonel Denning State Park/PA233 to Cowpens Road, 8.6 miles, Map J
This section is almost entirely in the Tuscarora State Forest as it follows the crest of Blue Mountain. The trail leaves PA 233 (el. 700 ft.) on Elk Hill Road and ascends to an elevation exceeding 2,000 ft. on the top of Blue Mountain. The end of the section is on a level course paralleling Cowpens Road until it reaches Old Ramp Trail, which it follows to Cowpens Road.
Section 4: Amberson Ridge
Cowpens Road to Hemlock Road, 8.8 miles, Map J
The trail section starts at the junction of Cowpens Road and Old Ramp Trail crossing and following many forest roads and trails in the Tuscarora State Forest. The trail also crosses several ridges: Sherman Mountain (el. 2180 ft.), Fenton Knob (el. 2202 ft.), and Rising Mountain (el. 2020 ft.) while descending to Sheaffer Run and Fowler Hollow Run in between ridges. The section ends at Hemlock Road.
Section 5: Knob Mountain
Hemlock Road to PA 641, 11.6 miles, Map J
Starting at Hemlock Road (el. 1943 ft.), the trail heads southwest along the top of Rising Mountain following logging roads. The trail climbs to a high point of 2300ft. along the crest of Rising Mountain and then begins a long descent along Knob Mountain until it reaches PA 641, at el. 800 ft. There are many views along the way, but no source of water.
Section 6: Cowans Gap
PA 641 to Cowans Gap State Park, 15.8 miles, Map K
From PA 641 the trail follows paved roads across Path Valley. Upon reaching Mountain Green Road, the trail ascends to the crest of Tuscarora Mountain (el. 1900 ft.) passing over the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After entering Buchanan State Forest, the trail descends to the Fannettsburg-Burnt Cabins Road crossing and begins to follow many other roads and side trails until it reaches Cowans Gap State Park.
Section 7: Tuscarora Summit
Cowans Gap State Park to PA 16, 8.7 miles, Map K
Most of this section is in the Buchanan State Forest and follows the ridge of the Tuscarora Mountain. From Cowans Gap State Park (el. 1200 ft.), the trail ascends 1200 feet over a distance of four miles to the top of Big Mountain (el. 2458 ft.). It then continues south along forest roads and trails to US 30 at Tuscarora Summit. After passing through private property, including the PATC-owned viewshed at The Pulpit, the trail reenters Buchanan State Forest and gradually descends until it reaches PA 16.
Section 8: The Lockings
PA 16 to PA 456, 14.5 miles, Map K
From PA 16 (el. 1949 ft.) the trail proceeds south on the Tuscarora Mountain to The Lockings (el. 2020 ft.) where Tuscarora Mountain and Dickeys Mountain join. Most of the section is in State Game Lands #124, where camping is not permitted. There is no water on the ridge. The trail descends from The Lockings to PA 456 to end at an elevation of 527 feet.
Section 9: Licking Creek
PA 456 to C&O Canal, 9.0 miles, Map K
From PA 456 the trail follows roads across farming land until entering the Indian Springs Wildlife Management Area shortly after crossing the Mason and Dixon Line, which separates Pennsylvania and Maryland. The trail ends at the C&O Canal towpath (el. 400 ft.) after passing Licking Creek and Camp Harding County Park.
Section 10: Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
Licking Creek to Hancock, MD, 7.9 miles, Map K
This section is entirely on the C&O Canal towpath. The trail passes two locks, one aqueduct, and a natural depression known as Little Pool in this section. The section ends at Little Tonoloway Park, adjacent to the town of Hancock, MD.
Section 11: Potomac
Hancock, MD to WV 9, 9.6 miles, Map L
From Little Tonoloway Park, the trail goes through the town of Hancock, crosses the Potomac River on the US Route 522 bridge, and follows River Road until it enters the PATC-owned Ruth Morris and Vos tracts. From PATC land, the trail follows country roads until the section ends at WV 9. The entire section has an elevation change of only 360 feet.
Section 12: Sleepy Creek
WV 9 to Hampshire Grade Road, 17.2 miles, Map L
This section begins at WV 9, where it enters the Spruce Pine Hollow County Park (el. 490 ft.), crosses Meadow Branch, and proceeds through the Spruce Pine Hollow subdivision by entering and exiting through PATC-owned properties. After departing the subdivision, the trail begins an ascent to the top of Sleepy Creek Mountain (el. 1750 ft.), passing through the Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area. The trail descends into the area of Sleepy Creek Lake (el. 1100 ft.), following forest roads and paths past several camping areas. The trail continues south, ascending 600 feet until it reaches Hampshire Grade Road on Third Hill Mountain.
Section 13: Shockeys Knob
Hampshire Grade Road to Siler, VA, 12.6 miles, Map L
From Hampshire Grade Road, the trail continues through Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area on trails and forest roads along Third Hill Mountain and Sleepy Creek Mountain until it reaches Shockeys Knob, a PATC-owned property. Descending from Shockeys Knob, the trail goes through private land until it reaches VA 671. At this point, it follows country roads until it reaches the Siler General Store at the intersection of VA 690 and VA 600.
Section 14: Gainesboro
Siler, VA to US 50, 10.6 miles, Map L
From Siler, the trail leaves VA 600 and passes through private farmland on Basore’s Ridge for about four miles, to include the privately-owned Dresel Wayside, a primitive campsite for hikers. (There is a good view of the Devils Backbone (Great North Mountain) from Basore’s Ridge.) The remainder of the section is on public roads until it ends at the intersection of US Route 50 and VA 688.
Section 15: Devils Backbone
US 50 to Loman Branch, 12.9 miles, Map L
From the intersection of US Route 50 and VA 688, the trail follows US Route 50 west for 0.3 miles and then follows Back Creek onto private land for the next twelve miles. After reaching the PATC-owned Howze Campsite area, the trail ascends for the next eight miles to a height of almost 2600 feet on Great North Mountain (also called the Devils Backbone), passing many views en route. At the VA/WVA state line, the trail descends into Back Creek Valley, passing through the Lucas Woods Nature Preserve. Then it follows trails and private roads until it reaches public roads and Loman Branch.
Section 16: Jemina
Loman Branch to Hawk Campground, 11.0 miles, Maps L & F
This section begins at Loman Branch and follows public roads and private land at elevations from 1000–1300 feet. The trail passes the gravestone of Jemina Farmer, a pioneer who died in 1883, and proceeds to the Hawk Recreational Area in the Jefferson & George Washington National Forest.
Section 17: County Line
Hawk Campground to Waites Run Road, 12.5 miles, Map F
This section is primarily located along the ridge of Great North Mountain in the Jefferson & George Washington National Forest from Hawk Campground (el. 1500 ft.) to Waites Run Road (el. 1510 ft.). The peak elevation is approximately 2810 feet. Except for wet-weather springs, there is no water available between Hawk Campground and Waites Run.
Section 18: Sugar Knob
Waites Run Road to Cedar Creek, 8.8 miles, Map F
This section begins at Waites Run Road (el. 1510 ft.) and ascends into the mountain wilderness of the Jefferson & George Washington National Forest, peaking at 3,120 feet elevation. Passing Trout Run Valley Overlook, Sugar Knob Cabin, and White Rock Cliff, the section ends at Cedar Creek (el. 1700 feet).
Section 19: Fetzer Gap
Cedar Creek to Maurertown, VA, 11.6 miles, Maps F & G
This section begins at Cedar Creek (el. 1700 ft.) and ascends to the ridge of Little North Mountain (el. 2400 ft.). It then descends from Fetzer Gap to the country roads of the Shenandoah Valley, ending at US Route 11 in Maurertown (el. 800 ft.).
Section 20: Massanutten West
Maurertown, VA to Elizabeth Furnace, 13.5 miles, Map G
The trail in this section begins at US Route 11 in Maurertown, crosses through Shenandoah County Park and then follows country lanes until it reaches the North Fork of the Shenandoah River (el. 570 ft.). From the Shenandoah River crossing, the trail ascends Three Top Mountain and follows the ridge line until it peaks out at 2080 feet elevation on Green Mountain prior to descending on trails in the Jefferson & George Washington National Forest to Elizabeth Furnace, located beside Passage Creek (el. 700 ft.).
Section 21: Massanutten East
Elizabeth Furnace to US 340, 14.7 miles, Map G
From Elizabeth Furnace, the trail climbs Massanutten Mountain to an elevation of 2200 feet and generally follows the ridge line south with a descent into Veach Gap. After a final climb over Massanutten Mountain, the trail descends out of the Jefferson & George Washington National Forest onto public roads, crossing the South Fork of the Shenandoah River at Indian Hollow Bridge (el. 600 ft.) and ending at US Route 340.
Section 22: Mathews Arm
US 340 to Appalachian Trail, 7.6 miles, Map G
This section begins at an elevation of 700 feet at US Route 340 and ends in Shenandoah National Park at an elevation of 3400 feet at the junction with the Appalachian Trail on Hogback Mountain. En route, the trail passes Overall Run falls (at one hundred feet, these are the highest falls in the Park) and continues into the developed Mathews Arm campground.
