Events

Show up and support a Shenandoah Rail Trail as the highest and best use of the corridor! The meeting is focused on the Rail with Trail Assessment. After reading the phase 1 report, we still believe a rail-to-trail is the best option for this corridor.

The Virginia Department of Transportation will host a series of public meetings to present the findings from Phase 1 of the Shenandoah Valley Rail with Trail Assessment and gather public feedback.

From the VDOT Assessment website: https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/…/rockingham-shenandoah…/

Background
The Norfolk Southern-owned rail corridor that traverses the Shenandoah Valley between the Town of Broadway in Rockingham County, and the Town of Front Royal in Warren County has been the subject of interest since the line between Strasburg and Broadway was discontinued in sections from 1989 to 2016 and segment between Front Royal and Strasburg was taken out-of-service.

The General Assembly requested a feasibility study be completed for a rails-to-trails conversion of the corridor through a joint study effort by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and VDOT. The report from that effort was published 2021 under the title, ‘Feasibility Study for a Linear Park in the Shenandoah Valley’. More information about that effort can be found on the DCR and VDOT study pages.
Through the 2020-2022 budget negotiation, the General Assembly stipulated that “Up to $35.0 million shall be allocated to the Shenandoah Valley Rail Trail for the purposes of land acquisition, initial planning, and site development. Any land acquisition by the Commonwealth as part of this trail’s development shall not preclude the consideration of options to maintain rail transportation in the corridor.” To address the last clause of the budget language, VDOT will assess the constraints, considerations, and costs for constructing a trail alongside the subject rail line as an alternative to the previously studied rail-to-trail option.

Project Scope
To assess the most likely configuration and costs associated with rail asset/rail bridge restoration and constructing an adjacent trail on the Norfolk Southern-owned rail corridor between the Town of Broadway in Rockingham County and the Town of Front Royal in Warren County. The goal of this study is to provide an assessment of the scope, cost, constraints, and other considerations of a rail-with-trail alternative as compared to the rail-to-trail option studied previously.
This assessment will be completed across a series of three phases, as summarized below and described in more detail in the ‘Status and schedule’ tab at the bottom of the page:

Phase 1: Alternatives Analysis

To evaluate and identify typical sections that could accommodate a rail-with-trail alternative.
Phase 2: Corridor Assessment

To conduct field evaluations of track and structure conditions & perform first public outreach campaign.
Phase 3: Assessment Findings

To develop cost estimates and documentation of assessment outcomes & perform second public outreach campaign

RSVP HERE

🛠 WHAT: Weekly trail work sessions on the Western Slope

💚 WHY: Because trails don’t build (or maintain) themselves—and when we dig together, we build more than just great singletrack. We build community.

📅 WHEN: Every Wednesday | 5–7:30 PM | Every Weds in April & May

📍 WHERE: Western Slope of Massanutten. Park in the regular lot and follow our red “Trail Work” Signs near the start of the Happy Hour Trail.

🙋 HOW: Sign up, bring a friend, wear work clothes, and we’ll provide the tools and good vibes. No experience is needed. Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes; bring gloves if you have them.

These evenings are fun and productive and a chance to give back to the land that gives us so much.

Come get dirty with us. The trails will thank you.

Sub 24-hour bicycle-based campout! Join other humans on a bike ride to spend the night outside.
You must sign the wavier: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/60ae846625885/web/ and register to attend: https://svbcoalition.app.neoncrm.com/…/neonev…/events…

Where: Meet at Bluestone Bike and Run to ride as a group to Hone Quarry. Not the campground, but above the gate in the large group campsite

When: April 19 @ noon – April 20 @ noon

Notes: This is a beginner bike-camping friendly, however, you should be self-sufficient and capable of selecting your gear and setting it up. We’ll leave town at noon on our bikes loaded with camping gear and food, expecting to be back in town by noon the following day. All meals and gear should be individually supplied unless you’re making your own arrangements with another participant.

The route (emailed prior) will be just under 20 miles one way and 40 miles total, utilizing gravel or dirt roads, as well as paved, no single track.
Ride Leader: Matt Hassman
Limited to 8 riders! This is important due to space for camping. If you are not registered, we ask that you please join us for a future event.

If you would like to rent bike camping bags, email Harriet from the Community Gear Library,

Learn more
Join us for a women’s casual mountain bike ride at Massanutten Western Slope on Monday evenings. You do not need a parking pass (if you don’t have a pass just ask a ride leader for one when you arrive) but will need to sign an electronic waiver before the ride.

• Time: 5:30pm on Mondays
• When: April 7th-Oct 27th 2025
• Location: Meet at Massanutten Western Slope Parking Lot
• Pace: Super casual, no-drop ride with regrouping spots along the way.
• Length: Typically 1-1.5 hours and we will often cover 4-6 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a mountain bike ride so plan for dirt singletrack trails with some rock.
• Regroup Points During Ride? Yes. The Massanutten Western Slope Trails offer lots of options for regrouping and course changes depending on where and what the group wants to ride.
• Post-Ride: Bring a chair, snacks, and a beverage for socializing after if you like!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the ride coordinator(s):
Leigh Evans / 828-215-6630
Terri Sexton / 757-235-9455

RSVP HERE

🛠 WHAT: Weekly trail work sessions on the Western Slope

💚 WHY: Because trails don’t build (or maintain) themselves—and when we dig together, we build more than just great singletrack. We build community.

📅 WHEN: Every Wednesday | 5–7:30 PM | Every Weds in April & May

📍 WHERE: Western Slope of Massanutten. Park in the regular lot and follow our red “Trail Work” Signs near the start of the Happy Hour Trail.

🙋 HOW: Sign up, bring a friend, wear work clothes, and we’ll provide the tools and good vibes. No experience is needed. Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes; bring gloves if you have them.

These evenings are fun and productive and a chance to give back to the land that gives us so much.

Come get dirty with us. The trails will thank you.

Our first Friday Forest Road Ride of 2025 will be a (mostly) gravel ride near Bridgewater. Meet at Wildwood Park.

The Forest-Roads Ride* is evolving based on what we learn from each ride. The rides are intended to be exploratory in nature to familiarize with local forest road routes. These rides will be all over the Shenandoah Valley.
We like to stay together as a group, but we may not wait for you if you fall too far behind, and we will keep the ride moving along to meet our exploratory goals. You should expect some climbing (we’re riding in the George Washington National Forest) on anything from smooth dirt forest roads to double track (think jeep roads). Each rider can and should gauge their ability and turn back early if needed to avoid being left too far behind. Note that there is often no cell service where we ride.
Regarding suitable types of bikes, the group rides a mix of mostly mountain and gravel bikes and some e-bikes (with the overall pace set by the non-e-bikes).

• Time: Check the weekly ride details in the Meetup Group. Usually 9AM for the summer, and later in the fall and winter.
• Location: Meet at the trailhead mentioned in the Meetup Group. We usually ride in the George Washington National Forest. *the trail location can range upwards to an hour-long drive from Harrisonburg.
• Pace: Less than 10mph
• Length: Typically 3-4 hours, 15-20 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a forest service-mountain bike ride, so plan for dirt roads with varying degrees of rock and occasional gravel.
• Regroup Points During Ride? There are not clearly identified points but the ride will stop and regroup at points during the ride.

Learn more
Join us for a women’s casual mountain bike ride at Massanutten Western Slope on Monday evenings. You do not need a parking pass (if you don’t have a pass just ask a ride leader for one when you arrive) but will need to sign an electronic waiver before the ride.

• Time: 5:30pm on Mondays
• When: April 7th-Oct 27th 2025
• Location: Meet at Massanutten Western Slope Parking Lot
• Pace: Super casual, no-drop ride with regrouping spots along the way.
• Length: Typically 1-1.5 hours and we will often cover 4-6 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a mountain bike ride so plan for dirt singletrack trails with some rock.
• Regroup Points During Ride? Yes. The Massanutten Western Slope Trails offer lots of options for regrouping and course changes depending on where and what the group wants to ride.
• Post-Ride: Bring a chair, snacks, and a beverage for socializing after if you like!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the ride coordinator(s):
Leigh Evans / 828-215-6630
Terri Sexton / 757-235-9455

RSVP HERE

🛠 WHAT: Weekly trail work sessions on the Western Slope

💚 WHY: Because trails don’t build (or maintain) themselves—and when we dig together, we build more than just great singletrack. We build community.

📅 WHEN: Every Wednesday | 5–7:30 PM | Every Weds in April & May

📍 WHERE: Western Slope of Massanutten. Park in the regular lot and follow our red “Trail Work” Signs near the start of the Happy Hour Trail.

🙋 HOW: Sign up, bring a friend, wear work clothes, and we’ll provide the tools and good vibes. No experience is needed. Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes; bring gloves if you have them.

These evenings are fun and productive and a chance to give back to the land that gives us so much.

Come get dirty with us. The trails will thank you.

The Forest-Roads Ride is evolving based on what we learn from each ride. The rides are intended to be exploratory in nature to familiarize with local forest road routes. These rides will be all over the Shenandoah Valley.
We like to stay together as a group, but we may not wait for you if you fall too far behind, and we will keep the ride moving along to meet our exploratory goals. You should expect some climbing (we’re riding in the George Washington National Forest) on anything from smooth dirt forest roads to double track (think jeep roads). Each rider can and should gauge their ability and turn back early if needed to avoid being left too far behind. Note that there is often no cell service where we ride.
Regarding suitable types of bikes, the group rides a mix of mostly mountain and gravel bikes and some e-bikes (with the overall pace set by the non-e-bikes).

• Time: Check the weekly ride details in the Meetup Group. Usually 9AM for the summer, and later in the fall and winter.
• Location: Meet at the trailhead mentioned in the Meetup Group. We usually ride in the George Washington National Forest. *the trail location can range upwards to an hour-long drive from Harrisonburg.
• Pace: Less than 10mph
• Length: Typically 3-4 hours, 15-20 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a forest service-mountain bike ride, so plan for dirt roads with varying degrees of rock and occasional gravel.
• Regroup Points During Ride? There are not clearly identified points but the ride will stop and regroup at points during the ride.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION IS FOUND HERE
*Please register for the event using the link above. This is for promotional purposes only.

Ever wondered how to prep for a backpacking trip? Not sure what gear to choose? Maybe you’d like to try hiking with all the gear without the commitment of an overnight trip. Now’s your chance!

Join GWHVA, in collaboration with Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition and the Community Gear Library at Massanutten Western Slope for a day of learning about Backpacking and hiking!

Meet at the pavilion at 9am for a light breakfast of bagels, fruit, pastries, and coffee and a chance to mingle with others. We will then rotate through two different learning stations. You will have the opportunity to sign up for a station of interest in advance.

Options include:
– How to pack a backpack
– Feminine Hygiene and bathroom habits in the backcountry
– Bear Safety and Food Planning
– Choosing a sleeping set up: Tents vs. Hammocks

You will then have the opportunity to head out on one of several hikes at the Western Slope. When registering, choose the length and difficulty level of your choice. The Community Gear Library will have backpacks and gear available to try out so that you can hike with all the gear and get a feel for it without the commitment of a full overnight trip.
After the hike, feel free to stick around a little while at the pavillion for some more mingling and light snacks and the opportunity to ask questions and meet fellow hikers!

Learn more
Join us for a women’s casual mountain bike ride at Massanutten Western Slope on Monday evenings. You do not need a parking pass (if you don’t have a pass just ask a ride leader for one when you arrive) but will need to sign an electronic waiver before the ride.

• Time: 5:30pm on Mondays
• When: April 7th-Oct 27th 2025
• Location: Meet at Massanutten Western Slope Parking Lot
• Pace: Super casual, no-drop ride with regrouping spots along the way.
• Length: Typically 1-1.5 hours and we will often cover 4-6 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a mountain bike ride so plan for dirt singletrack trails with some rock.
• Regroup Points During Ride? Yes. The Massanutten Western Slope Trails offer lots of options for regrouping and course changes depending on where and what the group wants to ride.
• Post-Ride: Bring a chair, snacks, and a beverage for socializing after if you like!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the ride coordinator(s):
Leigh Evans / 828-215-6630
Terri Sexton / 757-235-9455

RSVP HERE

🛠 WHAT: Weekly trail work sessions on the Western Slope

💚 WHY: Because trails don’t build (or maintain) themselves—and when we dig together, we build more than just great singletrack. We build community.

📅 WHEN: Every Wednesday | 5–7:30 PM | Every Weds in April & May

📍 WHERE: Western Slope of Massanutten. Park in the regular lot and follow our red “Trail Work” Signs near the start of the Happy Hour Trail.

🙋 HOW: Sign up, bring a friend, wear work clothes, and we’ll provide the tools and good vibes. No experience is needed. Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes; bring gloves if you have them.

These evenings are fun and productive and a chance to give back to the land that gives us so much.

Come get dirty with us. The trails will thank you.

The Forest-Roads Ride is evolving based on what we learn from each ride. The rides are intended to be exploratory in nature to familiarize with local forest road routes. These rides will be all over the Shenandoah Valley.
We like to stay together as a group, but we may not wait for you if you fall too far behind, and we will keep the ride moving along to meet our exploratory goals. You should expect some climbing (we’re riding in the George Washington National Forest) on anything from smooth dirt forest roads to double track (think jeep roads). Each rider can and should gauge their ability and turn back early if needed to avoid being left too far behind. Note that there is often no cell service where we ride.
Regarding suitable types of bikes, the group rides a mix of mostly mountain and gravel bikes and some e-bikes (with the overall pace set by the non-e-bikes).

• Time: Check the weekly ride details in the Meetup Group. Usually 9AM for the summer, and later in the fall and winter.
• Location: Meet at the trailhead mentioned in the Meetup Group. We usually ride in the George Washington National Forest. *the trail location can range upwards to an hour-long drive from Harrisonburg.
• Pace: Less than 10mph
• Length: Typically 3-4 hours, 15-20 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a forest service-mountain bike ride, so plan for dirt roads with varying degrees of rock and occasional gravel.
• Regroup Points During Ride? There are not clearly identified points but the ride will stop and regroup at points during the ride.

Learn more
Join us for a women’s casual mountain bike ride at Massanutten Western Slope on Monday evenings. You do not need a parking pass (if you don’t have a pass just ask a ride leader for one when you arrive) but will need to sign an electronic waiver before the ride.

• Time: 5:30pm on Mondays
• When: April 7th-Oct 27th 2025
• Location: Meet at Massanutten Western Slope Parking Lot
• Pace: Super casual, no-drop ride with regrouping spots along the way.
• Length: Typically 1-1.5 hours and we will often cover 4-6 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a mountain bike ride so plan for dirt singletrack trails with some rock.
• Regroup Points During Ride? Yes. The Massanutten Western Slope Trails offer lots of options for regrouping and course changes depending on where and what the group wants to ride.
• Post-Ride: Bring a chair, snacks, and a beverage for socializing after if you like!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the ride coordinator(s):
Leigh Evans / 828-215-6630
Terri Sexton / 757-235-9455

RSVP HERE

🛠 WHAT: Weekly trail work sessions on the Western Slope

💚 WHY: Because trails don’t build (or maintain) themselves—and when we dig together, we build more than just great singletrack. We build community.

📅 WHEN: Every Wednesday | 5–7:30 PM | Every Weds in April & May

📍 WHERE: Western Slope of Massanutten. Park in the regular lot and follow our red “Trail Work” Signs near the start of the Happy Hour Trail.

🙋 HOW: Sign up, bring a friend, wear work clothes, and we’ll provide the tools and good vibes. No experience is needed. Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes; bring gloves if you have them.

These evenings are fun and productive and a chance to give back to the land that gives us so much.

Come get dirty with us. The trails will thank you.

The Forest-Roads Ride is evolving based on what we learn from each ride. The rides are intended to be exploratory in nature to familiarize with local forest road routes. These rides will be all over the Shenandoah Valley.
We like to stay together as a group, but we may not wait for you if you fall too far behind, and we will keep the ride moving along to meet our exploratory goals. You should expect some climbing (we’re riding in the George Washington National Forest) on anything from smooth dirt forest roads to double track (think jeep roads). Each rider can and should gauge their ability and turn back early if needed to avoid being left too far behind. Note that there is often no cell service where we ride.
Regarding suitable types of bikes, the group rides a mix of mostly mountain and gravel bikes and some e-bikes (with the overall pace set by the non-e-bikes).

• Time: Check the weekly ride details in the Meetup Group. Usually 9AM for the summer, and later in the fall and winter.
• Location: Meet at the trailhead mentioned in the Meetup Group. We usually ride in the George Washington National Forest. *the trail location can range upwards to an hour-long drive from Harrisonburg.
• Pace: Less than 10mph
• Length: Typically 3-4 hours, 15-20 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a forest service-mountain bike ride, so plan for dirt roads with varying degrees of rock and occasional gravel.
• Regroup Points During Ride? There are not clearly identified points but the ride will stop and regroup at points during the ride.

RSVP is required for a headcount: RSVP TODAY – CLICK HERE

The Big Dig Day is a volunteer trail-building event on the Western Slope of Massanutten. Volunteers will work together to build new trails and or maintain existing trails.

This is more than a volunteer day! It will be a fun, family-friendly day in the woods with friends old and new! Bonus… you can earn your annual Western Slope trail pass volunteer hours in a single day!
Prior trail experience is NOT necessary.

On-site training and instruction will allow volunteers to work safely, confidently, and effectively.

• What: A celebration of our volunteers while we work on improving the Western Slope trails.
• Where: Massanutten’s Western Slope near Keezletown
• Where do I park? Parking will be in the main parking lot or the field near the pavilion. Please be aware that there is an event going on on the same day, and we will be sharing parking.
• When: Saturday, Mary 17 from 11 am to 3 pm
• What to wear: Sturdy closed-toe shoes, long pants, gloves, and water!

We will get together at 11 am to go over a plan for the day and then break up into groups to work on project sites. We will have food ready at 3 pm for our post-event gathering and hangout.
We’ll grill burgers and have drinks for folks and other snacks and food.

RSVPs ARE REQUIRED. Once you’ve signed up, you will receive email notifications with details about the day, including where we will meet. We need a headcount for food/drink and to give you some thank-you gifts.

Learn more
Join us for a women’s casual mountain bike ride at Massanutten Western Slope on Monday evenings. You do not need a parking pass (if you don’t have a pass just ask a ride leader for one when you arrive) but will need to sign an electronic waiver before the ride.

• Time: 5:30pm on Mondays
• When: April 7th-Oct 27th 2025
• Location: Meet at Massanutten Western Slope Parking Lot
• Pace: Super casual, no-drop ride with regrouping spots along the way.
• Length: Typically 1-1.5 hours and we will often cover 4-6 miles.
• Ride Surface: This is a mountain bike ride so plan for dirt singletrack trails with some rock.
• Regroup Points During Ride? Yes. The Massanutten Western Slope Trails offer lots of options for regrouping and course changes depending on where and what the group wants to ride.
• Post-Ride: Bring a chair, snacks, and a beverage for socializing after if you like!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the ride coordinator(s):
Leigh Evans / 828-215-6630
Terri Sexton / 757-235-9455