Big Run, Doyles River, and Frazier Loop

This roughly 18-mile loop links several Shenandoah trails rather than following one continuously named path. From Loft Mountain Wayside it takes Patterson Ridge toward Big Run, follows Big Run Portal upstream, then joins Big Run Loop and the Appalachian Trail to reach Jones Run and Doyles River. A second Appalachian Trail stretch returns to the north side of Frazier Discovery Trail and the same parking area. The base loop is 18.1 miles; the optional extra Big Run circuit is a separate, longer outing. This is planned as a backcountry overnight trip. A day hike means a very long outing, so allow about 12 hours with stops and be realistic about your pace.

Start from the north end of the Loft Mountain Wayside lot and follow the access north beside Skyline Drive to Patterson Ridge. The route descends toward Big Run before its stream-valley stretch, then climbs out to the Appalachian Trail and the waterfalls. Follow the connecting trail sequence carefully: nearby Big Run, Doyles River and Jones Run waterfall circuits are shorter hikes and do not cover this loop. The planned direction also avoids finishing with the climb up Patterson Ridge, which makes reversing the itinerary a tougher way to walk it.

Big Run Portal follows the drainage and crosses streams several times. When water is high, those crossings can reach knee or waist depth, especially in spring or after heavy rain. This is the route's main condition-dependent obstacle; check water and weather before committing to the valley, and do not assume every crossing will be safe or easy. The narrow valley and repeated crossings are part of the hike, not a quick approach to the next trail junction.

The route reaches Jones Run Falls, a 42-foot cascade, then continues upstream along Doyles River to Upper and Lower Doyles River Falls. These are distinct waterfall stops along a much longer circuit; the familiar short waterfall loops from nearby trailheads are not substitutes for the full route. Wet rock around falls is extremely slippery. Stay off waterfall tops and edges; falls in the park have caused serious and fatal injuries.

Near the end, the itinerary takes only the right-hand, north side of Frazier Discovery Trail, about 0.7 mile, before crossing Skyline Drive back to the car. Overlooks there open onto layered ridges including Big Flat, Trayfoot, Austin, Rockytop and Rocky. The full Frazier Discovery loop is a separate 1.2-mile option, not an extra section to add to this route. Pets are prohibited on Frazier Discovery Trail, so dogs cannot accompany visitors on the complete itinerary.

The trailhead is at the north end of the Loft Mountain Wayside parking area on Skyline Drive near mile 79.5; the loop finishes there too. The wayside has food service at the start and finish, but it is not an on-route resupply stop. For an overnight, obtain a current backcountry permit and use current campsite rules and maps; older trip directions may not reflect today's permitted camping locations. The shorter Frazier Discovery walk can suit visitors looking for a brief overlook outing, but it also prohibits pets.