George Washington National Forest Forest Road 88 Reddish Knob

Forest Road 88 winds 6.5 miles from Briery Branch Gap to Reddish Knob’s 4,397-foot summit, Virginia’s second-highest driveable peak. The route starts deceptively easy on maintained gravel before transitioning to loose rock and embedded stone that’ll test your line choice. Past the halfway mark, steep grades and washouts from mountain storms create technical sections where momentum and tire placement matter more than horsepower.

This is a moderate trail requiring high-clearance 4WD and decent ground clearance for the rock gardens near the summit. Late spring through fall offers the best conditions, though winter access depends on gate closures. No permits needed, but carry water and recovery gear. The payoff is a commanding view across the Shenandoah Valley that stretches from Massanutten Mountain to West Virginia’s ridgelines — worth every jarring mile of Virginia mountain stone.