Shenandoah National Park · Virginia

Frazier Discovery Trail

1.0 mi loop · about 400 ft of climbing · 2,907 ft–3,291 ft · earth surface · trail class Developed · hiking

3,281 ft 3,291 ft · 1.0 mi high 3,291 ft

Frazier Discovery Trail the Park Service's write-up

1-2 Hours · no dogs

Start South District (Mile 79.5)

A sweeping panoramic view from a rock cliff over green trees to blue mountains in the background.

Pets are not allowed on this hike. This hike features several picturesque overlooks as it passes through woodlands of varying ages on Loft Mountain.

Distance: 1.2-mile circuit hike

Difficulty: Easiest (explanation of our hiking difficulty scale )

Hiking Time: 1 hour

Elevation Gain: 429 feet

Hike Description

From the north end of the Loft Mountain Wayside Parking Area (mile 79.5), cross Skyline Drive and follow the blue-blazed Frazier Discovery Trail.

Go right at the intersection and follow the steep uphill grade.

Turn left where the trail joins the Appalachian Trail, staying on the blue-blazed trail.

Turn left again at the next trail post to descend to your starting point.

Pets Pets are not allowed on this trail.

Accessibility Although pets are not allowed on Frazier Discovery Trail, service animals are welcome.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 317 trails in Shenandoah National ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.