Old Furnace State Park — Old Furnace Trail / Ross Cliffs
Northeastern Connecticut / Killingly, Connecticut
Activity
Hiking / Cliff Overlook
Distance
4 mi round trip
Elevation gain
~450 ft
Route
Loop
The adventure
Cross an old ironmaking landscape and climb to cliffs overlooking Ross Pond and the Rhode Island horizon. Loop through wetlands and old iron country, then climb to the Ross Cliffs for a big eastern Connecticut view over Ross Pond toward Rhode Island.
Start from the South Frontage Road parking and pick up the blue-blazed Old Furnace Trail. Cross Furnace Brook, work through the pond and wetland landscape, climb the ridge to the Ross Cliffs overlook above Ross Pond, take in the view toward Rhode Island, complete the mapped loop back to the northern parking area.
What to expect
- Loop through wetlands and old iron country, then climb to the Ross Cliffs for a big eastern Connecticut view over Ross Pond toward Rhode Island.
- From Route 6, turn onto South Frontage Road and enter Old Furnace State Park about two-tenths of a mile later. Use the established park parking and locate the blue blazes at the southern end of the lot. Follow the mapped Old Furnace Trail across Furnace Brook and through the interior park. Stay with the official blue and mapped connector segments toward Ross Pond and the scenic-view symbols on the ridge. Reach the Ross Cliffs overlook, then continue the mapped loop back toward the original parking rather than dropping onto informal cliff-base paths.
Good to know
- A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING
- The blue-blazed Old Furnace Trail crosses forest, streams, ponds, wetlands and a rocky ridge in a surprisingly compact park.
- CLIFF PAYOFF
- Ross Cliffs rise above Ross Pond and open views across eastern Killingly toward Rhode Island.
- IRON COUNTRY
- An iron furnace once operated along Furnace Brook, using local bog iron and waterpower.
- BLUE = FOOT ONLY
- The blue trail is hiking-only even though other park trails allow additional non-motorized uses.
- FIND THE FURNACE STORY
- Before this became forest again, Furnace Brook powered an iron operation. During the Revolution, iron from here helped supply horseshoes for the Continental Army.
- Fee
- Free — no required entrance or parking fee.
- Entrance fee
- Current trail information identifies Old Furnace State Park access and parking as free.
- Dogs
- allowed-on-leash.
- Season
- The park supports year-round recreation, though wetland flooding, snow and ice can affect trail conditions.
Photos