Vista; 3 miles; moderate to easy; MM 79.5; map

Shenandoah National Park recommends two different hikes from the Loft Mountain Wayside (MM 79.5 on Skyline Dr.):  Frazier Discovery Trail (1.2 miles) and Loft Mountain Campground (3.6 miles).  Both of these loops are described on the map, but here's another option.  Begin following the Frasier Discovery Trail and choose the path to the right at the intersection.  After about a half mile uphill (this is the moderate part), you will come to a trail marker.  Turn left onto the  Appalachian Trail (north) and after a very short walk, turn left again for an even shorter path to a magnificent view of the Shenandoah Valley.  Sit on the rocks and take it all in!  When you're ready, retrace your steps back to the trail marker and continue south on the Appalachian Trail for about 1.4 miles (this is the easy part) to the Loft Mountain camp store.  Continue on the path past the camp store and follow the somewhat paved trail back to the Loft Mountain Wayside.  The total distance for this loop is about 3 miles.

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