Near AT/Passamaquoddy/Furnace Springs Loop
View from the trail.
Near AT/Passamaquoddy/Furnace Springs Loop
View from the trail.
Near AT/Passamaquoddy/Furnace Springs Loop
View from the trail.
Near AT/Passamaquoddy/Furnace Springs Loop
View from a rocky outcropping showing Shenandoah Valley and Luray.
Near AT/Passamaquoddy/Furnace Springs Loop
Elevation sign.

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

AT/Passamaquoddy/Furnace Springs Loop

4.1 (16 Ratings)
A loop with variable terrain, lot of good ups and downs, and some beautiful views.
2.7
mi
Distance
598
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
Fall ColorsFamily FriendlyViews

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
2.73mi
Distance
598ft
Elevation Gain
600ft
Elevation Loss
35%
Max Grade
3,837ft
High Point
3,297ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
Starting from Stony Man Parking Lot, hike past a little sign with this exact loop drawn out on it, and head onto the Appalachian Trail (white blazes), which runs concurrent with the Stony Man Summit Trail (blue blazes). The trail is pretty good here in terms of footing, but does go uphill at a fairly constant pace.A little under 0.5 miles in, there will be a junction between the Appalachian Trail and Stony Man Summit Trail - take a right onto the AT, following the white blazes. The trail will start to go downhill from here (most of this segment of the hike is downhill with some uphill chunks), and will gradually become rockier. The junction between the AT and Passamaquoddy Trail - North will come after a nice viewpoint from a rocky outcropping and a couple of sharp switchbacks. Turn onto Passamaquoddy Trail - North (yellow blazes) and follow this about a mile over mostly rocky up and down terrain. Once arriving at a very wide junction between Passamaquoddy Trail - North, Passamaquoddy Trail - South, and Furnace Spring Horse Trail, take a left onto Furnace Spring Horse Trail (note: taking a right onto Passamaquoddy Trail - South will just take you to the road and eventually to Skyland Resort). Follow this trail uphill to the parking lot;the rockiness subsides a lot here, making for an easy finish for your hike.
History & Background
There is a placard with information about Stony Man, Passamaquoddy, and some of the AT at the parking lot. There I read that the name "Passamaquoddy" means "river abounding in pollock" in the language of the Native Americans who lived in this area. George Pollock, who made the trail, used the reference to the fish to name this trail after himself. The more you know.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Ronit Malka