Simmons Gap and Big Run Circuit

Simmons Gap and Big Run is a strenuous, closed loop that the park lists at 43.5–45.5 miles. It starts at the East/South Route 628 boundary, climbs to the Appalachian Trail, drops into Big Run, crosses Rockytop and Jones Run, then returns north on the AT to the same gate. Plan three nights and four long hiking days. The route line here follows that itinerary but measures about 42.1 miles along mapped paths; no official GPS track is available. Use the park’s longer mileage range for planning and the line to follow the segment sequence. The mapped line chooses the itinerary’s shortest Patterson Ridge campsite spur.

The first day climbs Simmons Gap Fire Road to Skyline Drive and follows the AT south to the Ivy Creek Maintenance Hut and spring. The itinerary uses the spring as a water stop, then crosses Skyline Drive and climbs Patterson Ridge to a dry camp; it says not to camp at the hut. Day two retraces that spur, continues south on the AT, crosses Skyline to Big Run Overlook, then descends Big Run Loop and Big Run Portal. The overlook is the broadest view on the route: look west across layered forested ridges before dropping into the valley.

Expect repeated stream crossings in the Big Run basin, rough footing and stretches where blazes are hard to spot at the water. Crossings can rise to knee or waist depth in spring or after heavy rain, so high water can change this from a tough hike into a poor choice. The route climbs out by Rockytop, where rocky openings give westward views toward Massanutten Mountain and Lewis Peak, then descends steeply back toward the valley. This is the circuit’s most demanding footing; keep track of the marked tread across open rock.

After Rockytop, the itinerary rejoins Big Run Loop, follows the AT south and descends Jones Run to Doyles River. On day four it climbs Doyles River Trail to the AT, then heads north for 10.1 miles before turning down Simmons Gap Fire Road. Jones Run and Doyles River are the circuit’s waterfall corridors, but this is a long backcountry traverse, not a short waterfall walk. Allow roughly 26 hours of hiking spread over the four days.

A backcountry camping permit is required for the three nights; get it before leaving and carry a copy. The Patterson Ridge camp is dry, so plan water around the Ivy Creek spring and treat water collected from streams. Dogs are allowed on these named trails on a physical leash no longer than six feet, but the mileage, steep descents and stream crossings make this a demanding trip for them too.