Elizabeth Furnace Figure-Eight

This 19.7 mile figure-eight loop features some of the rockiest terrain in the Massanuttens. Other than the 1.8 miles on State Route 613 (which is gravel), the entire run is on trail. This is an excellent training run for anyone interested in doing the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100, Old Dominion 100, or Elizabeth Furnace 50 km, as various sections of those events are incorporated into this run.

Distance
  • 19.7 miles
Running time
  • 4–6 hours
Total ascent/descent
  • 4,400 feet
    225 feet/mile
Start/finish
GPX file
What to wear

Directions

  1. Leave the Signal Knob Parking Lot on the orange-blazed Massanutten Trail.
  2. Mile 0.5: At sign, bear left following Tuscarora/Massanutten Trails to Elizabeth Furnace.
  3. Mile 0.8: Continue straight across Passage Creek bridge and through the length of the Elizabeth Furnace parking lots (paved; unblazed; stay left). Pick up the white blaze Botts Trail at left rear edge of southern-most parking area next to wooden kiosk/sign. Follow for 0.9 miles.
  4. Mile 1.7: Left on Sherman Gap Trail (pink blaze) for 2.7 miles. Very steep last 0.5 miles.
  5. Mile 4.3: At ridge crest, turn right on Massanutten Trail (orange blaze).
  6. Mile 4.4: Turn left on Sherman Gap Trail (pink blaze).
  7. Mile 6.6: Turn right on Panandle Road (State Route 613).
  8. Mile 8.5: Turn right into Veach Gap parking lot. Tuscarora Trail (blue blaze) is past the gate. This is a good place to drop aid.
  9. Mile 10.1: Cross over ridge onto Massanutten Mountain Trail (orange blaze).
  10. Mile 11.1: At trail intersection, continue on Massanutten Mountain Trail (orange blaze).
  11. Mile 14.2: Intersect with Sherman Gap trail and continue straight on Massanutten Mountain Trail (orange blaze).
  12. Mile 16.5: Arrive at Shawl Gap. At sign, follow Massanutten Mountain Trail (orange blaze) to Elizabeth Furnace.
  13. Mile 18.9: Cross Passage Creek bridge and continue on Massanutten/Tuscarora Trails (orange/blue blazes).
  14. Mile 19.2: At sign, bear right following Massanutten Mountain Trail (orange blaze) to Signal Knob Parking Lot.

Last updated November 2, 2020

What you do is up to you, but you shouldn't rely on these directions alone; they are often not specific enough to navigate by, and may be incorrect or out of date. Review a map beforehand and carry it with you. Tell a friend where you are going and when you plan to return. Do not count on having cell phone service while on the run. The VHTRC is not responsible for your welfare on any of these runs. If you go on one of these runs and get lost, run out of water, get injured, mauled by a bear, or die, or if anything else goes wrong, it's your fault; not ours. You assume all risks here and the VHTRC assumes none at all. Legal issues aside, some of these runs are more remote than others and the VHTRC is not suggesting that you do any of these runs, unless you are prepared to accept full responsibility for yourself.