Hiking to Henry Clay’s Furnace-Coopers Rock State Forest

On to the right, as you enter Coopers Rock State Forest, a road will take you to the trail head of Clay Furnace Trail. At the top, it has a nice parking area with a picnic area.

The hike is about a mile down and a mile back. The first part of the trail has a bit of a grade but it is not bad and the rest of descent down is very gradually. But don’t wear white tennis shoes, as a river runs through the trail (actually a small stream), they will not be white for long.

As I walked down, I could hear a large stream to the right of me. The birds chirping, shrieking, and cheeping. The delicate soft rustling of leaves. It was so peaceful and I was so relaxed. Then out of know where…A father yelling at his kid and the kid not listening. Thankfully they where on another trail.

At the bottom of the trail, you get to see the ruins of Henry Clay Furnace. They also have a trash can if you need it. The furnace is about the 60 feet tall.

Along side of it is a nice little stream that was used as part of the furnace. The sound of the stream is very peaceful.

Also you can pick up the Clay Run Trail and Rhododendron Trail. The park as a lot of great trails. A free map of the trails is available at the little gift store. This trails are also used in the winter for cross country skiing.

One of the great things about Coopers Rock State Forest is that they have trail signs every time the trail is switch and clearly marked trails. It would be hard to get lost if you stay on the trail.