Details
Trail Length: 2.2 miles
Towns: Killingly
Allowed Uses: Hiking Only
Partners: Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP)
Trail Overview
The Old Furnace Trail crosses the length of Old Furnace State Park in Killingly. The trek provides a full variety of hiking terrains, including mature and emerging forests, meadows, streams, ponds, ridges, wetlands, ferns, mountain laurels, wildlife, vistas, and more. All in all, this is a delightful, fairly compact trail requiring moderate effort. Scenic highlights include the remains of the Bog Furnace building and Ross Ledge (rumored to have once been a Native American lovers leap).
Colonial industrialists harnessed the running water of Furnace Brook to power the iron works during the 18th century. During the Revolutionary War, Bog Furnace was a major supplier of iron horseshoes, a commodity greatly needed by the Continental Army.
Ross Pond located at the base of one of the trail access points has a boat launch and abundant fishing opportunities.
For more info on Old Furnace State Park, click here.