Roaring Run Furnace is a recreational area near Eagle Rock, Virginia with a historic iron furnace and a 30-foot waterfall. It is part of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests of southwestern Virginia. Visitors can hike, fish and picnic here. The area is open year-round with no fee.
A gravel road dead-ends into the medium-sized gravel parking lot. There are picnic tables and restrooms close to the lot.
There are two main trails – the Streamside Trail and the Woodland Trail. Each can be an out and back to the waterfall or they can be combined to make a 1.5-mile loop. Like Cascade Falls, which has a similar setup, I recommend starting on the Streamside Trail and returning on the Woodland Trail.
I would consider the trails moderately difficult due to the tree roots, rocks, and staircases on the route. There is a universally accessible path to the furnace via the Woodland Trail from the parking lot. It is a short walk from the lot, across a bridge, and the furnace is immediately to the left. Just after the furnace, the trail climbs uphill and is no longer accessible.
Streamside Trail
The Streamside Trail starts to the left and winds along and over Roaring Run Creek. Streamside Trail has three stone-and-wood bridges that cross the creek with small cascades next to them. After the third bridge is a one-mile section of native trout stream for fishing.
On the Streamside Trail you will pass two large cascades before arriving at the main Roaring Run Falls. My favorite was the first cascade over a slanted rockface. If you are careful, you can make your way down closer to the creek for better views.
After this slanted cascade, there is a colossal, layered rock outcropping next to the creek on your right. A wooden platform and railing bring you around the curve. There is a bench here to rest and take it all in.
Following the third bridge, turn left for the second large cascade and path to Roaring Run Falls. The ground-level path stops at the second large cascade (to your left) and a staircase (to your right).
Roaring Run Falls
Take the staircase up to the falls. There are a few stone steps, then approximately 25 wooden steps, followed by more stone steps. You’ll catch a glimpse of Roaring Run Falls upstream.
Then you must carefully make your way up a slanted rockface closer to the falls. Dozens of large boulders and a few stone walls make for great spots to rest, watch water flow over the break, and enjoy a snack.
Do not swim or wade here as the current can pull you under or downstream.
Woodland Trail
Return to the junction with the third bridge and take the straight path instead to start on the Woodland Trail. This trail has more elevation gain, some switchbacks, and muddier sections.
Around midway on the trail, there are stone steps to your right for an overlook. When I visited in June, only the top of mountains was visible, but it was still worth a stop. In autumn this would be a lovely view.
Roaring Run Furnace
The last major attraction on the Woodland Trail is the furnace. It is surrounded by a curved wooden fence. There are two main information signs explaining what an iron furnace is and why it was built here.
Roaring Run Furnace is a pig iron furnace built in the 1840s. Molten iron ran from the furnace into molds in the sand, resembling a sow with her piglets – giving pig irons their name. On the trail you can still see bits of slag, a glass-like waste product.
From the furnace, simply cross the bridge and you will quickly find yourself back at the parking lot.
Wildlife
I saw and heard a bunch of wildlife while hiking. Insects I spotted include six-spotted tiger beetles and butterflies such as red-spotted purples, spring azures, and tiger swallowtails.
I heard so many birds singing including eastern towhees, Louisiana waterthrushes, ovenbirds, red-eyed vireos, and wood thrushes.
Looking for longer hikes? At the beginning of the Streamside Trail there is an offshoot to the Iron Ore Trail. Iron Ore runs 3 miles to Hoop Hole Trail, a figure-8 style loop over 9 miles long.