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A loop with variable terrain, lot of good ups and downs, and some beautiful views.


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Map Key

2.8

Miles

4.5

KM

Loop

3,875' 1,181 m

High

3,330' 1,015 m

Low

591' 180 m

Up

605' 184 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

24%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views

Family Friendly Two parking areas in case little ones get tired halfway through. Frequent views. Mostly level. Well traveled.

Overview

The trail terrain on this loop varies from dirt path surface to extremely rocky, making it a relatively slower hike, but still challenging and really fun. Lots of elevation change makes this a good challenge for the cardiovascular system. There are a couple rocky outcroppings with gorgeous views of Luray Valley. Also, you have the option of a ~1 mile add-on in the Stony Man Summit Trail, which adds another good incline but also spectacular views.

Need to Know

You can access this route easily from Skyland Resort by hiking about 0.5 mile up to the parking lot on Skyland Road. All trail junctions are very nicely marked, and the trails are well-marked with blazes. Be very careful of the rocks, they'd be unforgiving to fall on.

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.

Contacts

Shared By:

Ronit Malka with improvements by Song Gradaigh and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 16 votes

#2493

Overall
  4.1 from 16 votes
5 Star
25%
4 Star
56%
3 Star
19%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#71

in Virginia

#2,493

Overall
10 Views Last Month
2,868 Since Nov 29, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

6%
6%
76%
12%
0%
0%

Photos

View from the trail.
Jun 13, 2022 near Stanley, VA
View from the trail.
Jun 13, 2022 near Stanley, VA
View from the trail.
Jun 13, 2022 near Stanley, VA
View from a rocky outcropping showing Shenandoah Valley and Luray.
Nov 29, 2016 near Stanley, VA
Elevation sign.
Apr 25, 2016 near Stanley, VA
Sunset overlooking Skyline Drive from Passamaquoddy trail
Mar 13, 2018 near Luray, VA
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