Trail Info

LOCATION: Skyline drive (mm 85)
TRAIL DISTANCE: 6.6 Miles
TRAIL HEAD/ DIRECTIONS: BlackRock Parking
TRAIL TYPE: In & Out
TRAIL GRADE:  STRENUOUS (4)
TRAIL PARKING: 15 spots or less
DOG FRIENDLY: Yes
FAMILY FRIENDLY: Yes, ages 8+
You will love:  The best of Shenandoah on display from dense forest, panoramic views and rock scramble. Three summits on a single hike! Quiet and less populated, great day hike.
You need to know: Fee required to access park.

What to pack

Extras

The Experience

Your adventure begins at the BlackRock Summit Parking lot located in the southern district of Shenandoah National Park. From the back of the parking lot, find the Appalachian Trail (AT) with its white blaze and turn left on the AT to head towards Blackrock Summit. The trail is a mild ascent navigating roots and stones along a heavily wooded path. In 0.6 miles reach the BlackRock Summit. The summit is boastful and beautiful, with views of the valley, Skyline Drive and neighboring mountains (including Trayfoot mountain and Furnace mountain off in the distance). The Blackrock Summit is a rock scramble paradise, but only climb if you feel comfortable traversing potentially loose rock and tackling large boulder obstacles. If you do take the scramble , your reward is a 360 degree view that’s sure to gain a few followers on Instagram. Once you have had your fill, return to the AT / Blackrock Summit path and locate the trailhead for the BlackRock Spur Trail.  A designated stone pillar marker will be present to indicate the start of the spur. Take the spur trail through gob smacking vista views and walk through a crevice down into the woods, as for the next 0.4 miles this will be your trail. At the conclusion of the spur, reach an intersection with the Trayfoot Mountain trail and turn right. The Trayfoot trail returns to a manageable and very accommodating topography for the next mile. The Trayfoot trail reaches its end point at the junction with Furnace and Trayfoot Summit trail. Ready to tackle Trayfoot summit? Enjoy the trail for 0.4 miles but know this is an in and out, so once you reach the summit just turn and return. At the junction of Trayfoot and Furnace, turn right onto the Furnace Mountain trail, this will lead you for the next 2.3 miles to the summit. The trail turns up the intensity with narrow up and down moments and a bit of mind your step areas (loose rock) better known as screes. The trail will comb through the forest and onto a ridgeline with limited views however you can feel the elevation change. At 1.8 miles, reach the Furnace Mountain summit trail, turn right and head on up for the next 0.5 miles. The trail begins to open up with less foliage , more rocks and more incline. The pace is steady and manageable until a small grove of trees lead you down (yes down) to the summit perch view. The summit view is small (really its just a boulder outcrop) however it’s a quiet spot for your lunch, recharge your muscles and soak in the views. About those views, a 180 degree view of the park is had, with eagle eye views of Skyline Drive and if you are lucky the ability to see a few falcons and turkey vultures looking for a meal. Once fulfilled, retrace your steps back to your car. The return trip is far more climb and ascend especially near the Furnace Mountain trail and Trayfoot junction. This trail is rated strenuous for its distance, topography and traversing a few loose rock areas. This trail fulfills all your summit needs with three summits, what else could you ask for!
 

HIKE ON!
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Our philosophy is to encourage exploration of trails in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia through experiential content and purposefully simplistic guided summaries. We aim to provide you the knowledge, the essentials and the confidence to hike a trail.
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