Passamaquoddy Loop

Passamaquoddy Loop is a moderate 3.4-mile circuit from the north end of Stony Man parking. It follows Furnace Spring Horse Trail to Passamaquoddy, then takes the Appalachian Trail back to the lot. Allow about three hours; the published route lists roughly 770 feet of climbing. The connected line shown here measures about 2.76 miles, and the extra distance is unexplained. The 3.4-mile figure is the best published total, so give yourself the full time and expect some uncertainty in the mileage.

From the north end of the parking area, follow the yellow-blazed Furnace Spring Horse Trail. Turn right onto the blue-blazed Passamaquoddy Trail, then right again at its Appalachian Trail junction and follow the A.T. back to the lot. That is the whole loop; the Stony Man summit trail is a separate hike. You need a park entrance pass, but no separate reservation is listed for this route.

Most of the walk is in the woods, but the Passamaquoddy section passes a large granite rock and a small rock field where the valley opens up. Expect rough, uneven footing there. On Furnace Spring, some tread is less distinct and can be obscured by sticks and leaves, so keep checking the yellow blazes at junctions.

Visitors to Skyland Resort were walking these same trails for their mountain views in the late 1800s and early 1900s, before Shenandoah became a national park. Massanutten Lodge is a separate stop at Skyland where you can learn more about that resort history.

Skyland is a separate stop from the trail. It has the Pollock Dining Room, the Mountain Taproom and a Grab 'n Go counter with sandwiches, salads and snacks; don't count on those as food along the route.