Kennedy Peak Out-and-Back

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Nice easy hike to a great view of the valley. You can count about six bends of the river.

This is the out-and-back along the Massanutten Trail with the spur off to Kennedy Peak. It makes for a very nice day hike with a spectacular view at the end. There is a platform with almost 360-degree views. The trees obscure a little of it, but there is still a very nice view of the Shenandoah. You can see several bends of the river.

From VA675 and the ridgeline parking area, head north on the orange-blazed Massanutten Trail as it follows an old forestry road. The trail is wide and climbs gradually along the ridge for 1.3 miles. Descend through a saddle where the trail then climbs around the eastern side of Kennedy Peak before making a hairpin turn back towards the western side of the mountain.

When you arrive at a split in the trail, follow the trail to the left for 25 yards to a campsite and semi-obstructed view of Fort Valley. Return to the Massanutten Trail and continue uphill for another 0.2 miles to the ridge and intersection with the white blazed Kennedy Peak Trail.

Turn right and follow the Kennedy Peak Trail as it climbs for the remaining 0.2 miles to the Kennedy Peak fire tower. From the fire tower lookout platform, there are expansive 360-degree views of the Luray Valley and South Fork of the Shenandoah River to the east, and the Massanutten Range including Duncan Knob and Kerns Mountain to the southwest.