Shenandoah River State Park — about 24 miles of multi-use trail along the South Fork, tucked into the bend of the river. Less crowded than anything on Skyline Drive.
Started at the main lot, worked clockwise: Bear Bottom to Cottonwood to Culler's Overlook. First climb hits within half a mile — steep enough to need full assist, loose in spots. The Overlook spur is the highlight: 300 ft in a quarter mile, platform at the top looking west across the Massanutten range. Stopped, ate an apple, watched a hawk for a bit.
Back half drops to the river and flattens out. Cottonwood runs parallel to the South Fork — fast, flowy. 18.9 miles, 1,631 ft, two and a half hours. Good trail system, worth coming back.