This is one of the most popular waterfall hikes in the southern section of the Shenandoah National Park. There are several falls along Jones Run, plus two large falls on Doyles River. Each has several swimming holes as well. But if you plan to swim, remember that's cold mountain water, even in late summer!
From the Browns Gap parking area cross Skyline Drive and follow the white blazed Appalachian Trail (AT) south along the ridge for 1.4 miles to the intersection of the blue blazed Jones Run Trail, and Jones Run Trail parking area.
Turn left downhill on the blue blazed Jones Run trail as it makes a switchback, then crossing the top of Jones Run before reaching the top of the first set of falls in 1.6 miles. Continue on the trail for another 0.1 miles where the trail makes another steep switchback and arrives at the base of the main falls. Continue following the trail downstream for 0.5 miles crossing Jones Run, then continuing on the left side of the run for 0.1 miles to the post marking the Doyles River Trail.
Turn left uphill on the blue blazed Doyles River Trail passing several small pools and falls before crossing a footbridge over a feeder stream. Shortly after crossing the footbridge reach the lower, and largest set of falls, then in another 0.2 miles the upper set of falls. From here the trail becomes less steep before arriving at the intersection of the Browns Gap Fire Road.
Turn left crossing Doyles River on the yellow blazed fire road for the remaining 1.7 miles back to Browns Gap.
Note: Instead of turning left on the fire road off the Doyles River Trail, you can continue on the Doyles River Trail another 0.9 miles to the AT, then turn left/south on the AT for 1.5 miles to return to Brown's Gap making it a 8.5 mile circuit. This is a good option in the summer months when the ticks can be bad in the fire roads long grasses.
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Calculate roughly how many calories you could burn on the Jones Run/Doyles River hike:
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Hiker
Reviews For The Jones Run/Doyles River Hike (5 Most Recent)
This was a good hike for us and our dog. Our only disappointment - it has been dry in this part of Virginia, so the waterfalls weren't quite as spectacular as we hoped they'd be. We followed the website's note and skipped the fire trail on the way back and continued on Doyle's Run trail and then headed south on the AT until we got back to Browns Gap parking lot. The hike took 6 hours which included an hour for breaks and lunch.
By:
SeanFromAfton
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, July 11, 2010
Nice hike. My wife and I took our two dogs. We picked it because there is water along Doyles River and Jones Run. We started the loop by taking the AT north. Nice variation of scenery nice falls and pools. No big views. It took us 165 minutes (~23 minute miles). We're mid 30s, a bit out of shape, but normally fit.
By:
Keith Robertson
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, April 18, 2010
My wife, a friend of ours, and I recently did this hike. We went during National Park Week (meaning free admission,) but despite that we still had the trail almost entirely to ourselves- I think we saw maybe 3 or 4 other hikers in 4 hours.
This is probably the best trail that I've taken in Shenandoah so far. The views and terrain are nicely varied (ridgeline at the top, and nicely sheltered streams at the bottom.) The fact that the ridgelines were still winterlike in appearance, with very few leaves, and the area in the valley was lush and green, added to this effect.
Aside from the named falls on the trail, there are many smaller cascades and ripples, so for the majority of the time one spends near the rivers, there is whitewater in view or within earshot. The main fall on Jones Run is a good place to stop- it's very scenic, and there are a number of large flat boulders right near the falls that you can rest on.
Aside from the scenery, the other highlight of our particular hike was sighting the first black bear that any of us had seen in the wild. It was a mid-sized bear, about the size of a very large dog. I heard it first when it moved (twig crack,) and then spotted it about 100ft away in some underbrush. I had enough time to point and say "there's a bear," before it looked up at me for a few moments, and then ran off into the brush.
As some others have said, the hike back up is quite steep in places, and when we were there, muddy. There were sections that I almost, but not quite, needed to use my hands where the trail got very rocky. I did fine, but my wife's knee got pretty battered from all of the up/down.
By:
Caroline
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, August 02, 2009
I went with a few friends and hiked this route starting at the fire road and going the opposite way. Luckily, it started out raining so we didn't have any heat issues despite the fact that it is early August!
Needless to say, the uphill portion towards the end of the hike was tiring, but not too bad, and the waterfalls are definitely worth it. The one great thing about going the opposite way is you end with the Appalachian Trail, and it is mostly flat instead of the uphill Fire Road.
The trail was also very secluded, and always well-marked. Overall it was a great hike!
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, July 18, 2009
Did this hike with a friend and our teenage sons. As alluded to in other comments, go the direction indicated in the overview. The reverse route leaves you with a very tough climb out. The solitude and tranquility of the Jones Run waterfalls contrasts sharply with the more crowded and "touristy" falls on the Doyles River trail. We took the fire road back. Only found 1 tick in the after-hike tick check, although we did do a double coat of DEET before starting down the fire road due to the warnings here. I didn't find the fire road particularly steep, athough you will know you are going uphill! Overall a great day hike.
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