Parking
Madison Run Boundary on Route 663 near Route 708; roadside parking for about eight cars by the junction. Keep clear of gates.
Overview
About Furnace Mountain, Paine Run, Jones Run & Big Run Loop
Why go
- A long circuit linking the Jones Run falls viewpoint, Doyles River and Big Run
- Furnace, Trayfoot, Rockytop and Austin Mountain make a varied ridge-and-valley route
Heads up
- The official 36.1-mile base itinerary differs from the 33.3-mile mapped line
- Big Run Portal crossings can become knee to waist deep in high water
This is a demanding four-day backcountry loop from Madison Run Boundary. It crosses Furnace and Trayfoot mountains, follows Paine Run to Skyline Drive and the Appalachian Trail, then descends Jones Run and Doyles River before turning through Big Run Portal, Rockytop and Austin Mountain. The itinerary classifies it as experienced or advanced. It lists 36.1 miles for the base trip; the connected trail line measures about 33.3 miles, so expect some distance variation. The route stored here leaves out the optional 8.7-mile Brown Mountain circuit and the one-mile round-trip Furnace summit spur.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs this the hike for you?Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Shenandoah map
Full mapElevation1,283–3,136 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
2 active Shenandoah alerts
- ClosureOld Rag Trailhead main lot closedThe Old Rag Trailhead main parking lot is closed to vehicles and pedestrians for infrastructure improvements; use the existing overflow lots. - Work is expected to be completed by November 2026.Official details
- ClosureBackcountry camping and zone closuresBackcountry camping is prohibited on the Appalachian Trail from Lewis Mountain to Big Meadows, and the Naked Creek backcountry zone is closed.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Shenandoah Tour Guide
Your drive to Furnace Mountain, Paine Run, Jones Run & Big Run Loop, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Shenandoah National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Shenandoah audio tourMore stories near here in the app
- Jones Run Falls: A Cascade in the Woods
- Dundo Overlook: A Valley Campaign in the Landscape
- Blackrock Summit: A Short Walk to the Boulder Field
- Dundo Picnic Grounds: Lunch at an Old CCC Camp
- 146 audio storiesacross Shenandoah’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Black Bear, Bald Eagle, White-tailed Deer, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 163 trails, 142 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Furnace Mountain, Paine Run, Jones Run & Big Run Loop
Furnace, Trayfoot and Paine RunStart at the Madison Run boundary gate and take 0.1 mile of fire road to Furnace Mountain Trail.
Start at the Madison Run boundary gate and take 0.1 mile of fire road to Furnace Mountain Trail. Roughly 1.6 miles along Furnace, a side trail to the summit adds one mile round trip and reaches the viewpoint described in the itinerary; it is an extra, not part of the stored line. The base route continues 3.4 miles on Furnace Mountain Trail and 4 miles along Trayfoot Mountain Trail before joining Paine Run. Find an established legal backcountry campsite along Paine Run; the first night’s distance varies with the site you choose.
Jones Run Falls and Doyles RiverOn the second day, continue up Paine Run to Skyline Drive, then cross to the Appalachian Trail.
On the second day, continue up Paine Run to Skyline Drive, then cross to the Appalachian Trail. Follow the AT north for 2.6 miles before descending Jones Run. A short side trail near mile 1.7 leads to the falls viewpoint; the main route continues to the Doyles River junction at about 2.5 miles. From there, follow Doyles River Trail for 2.2 miles, cross Skyline Drive, and reach Big Run Overlook. The trip description calls out three waterfalls along the route, with Jones Run’s falls viewpoint as a memorable stop.
Big Run, Rockytop and AustinDescend Big Run Loop Trail for 2.
Descend Big Run Loop Trail for 2.2 miles to Big Run Portal, then follow the stream valley to a legal campsite. Camp location changes the mileage. Multiple crossings on Big Run Portal can reach knee or waist depth when water is high, especially in spring or after heavy rain. The last day continues down Portal before climbing Rockytop for 5.3 miles and Austin Mountain for 3.2 miles, then follows Madison Run Fire Road 0.7 mile back to the same boundary. That return day is long; allow room in your schedule for the climbs and crossings.
Camps, permits and dogsOvernight camping requires a backcountry permit, and campers must use legal sites.
Overnight camping requires a backcountry permit, and campers must use legal sites. The itinerary recommends an early start on day one and lays out four days of substantial hiking. Plan campsite locations before setting out because they change the day-by-day distance. Dogs are allowed on this route but must stay on a physical leash no longer than six feet; pack out pet waste.
Madison Run Boundary accessStart and finish at Madison Run Boundary on the west side of the park at Route 663, near Route…
Start and finish at Madison Run Boundary on the west side of the park at Route 663, near Route 708. Roadside parking is listed for about eight cars by the junction; keep clear of gates. This is a small road-edge access, not a large day-use lot. The first mapped trail point is a short walk from the boundary access.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Shenandoah
325 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
21 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
1,036 sightingsWhite-tailed DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
167 sightingsWild TurkeyMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
93 sightingsTimber RattlesnakeMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
24 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Shenandoah. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
