Furnace Mountain is a is a small mountain in the George Washington National Forest in southwest Virginia. The mountain is part of the Furnace Mountain Massif, a group of peaks located in the central part of the state. Furnace Mountain rises to an elevation of 4,049 feet (1,235 meters) and offers panoramic views of the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are several hiking trails in the area, including the Furnace Mountain Trail, which leads to the summit of the mountain.
Furnace Mountain Trail is a challenging hike with beautiful views. The trail is rated as difficult, and it is recommended for experienced hikers. It is about 5 miles long, and it takes about 3-4 hours to complete. There is a lot of elevation change on the trail, and there are some steep sections. The views from the top of the mountain are stunning, and the hike is definitely worth the effort.
History
The mountain is named for the iron furnaces that were once located on its slopes. The iron furnaces were used to smelt iron ore that was mined from the nearby mountains. The iron was used to make iron products such as nails and horseshoes. The iron industry began to decline in the late 1800s and the last iron furnace on Furnance Mountain closed in 1904.
