You can see a map here, then click to get the high resolution and then zoom in:
http://belknaprange.org/belknaprangemap.htm
So the loop around is blue to start and then the yellow brook trail connecting back to blue west of Major and then east on blue to the summit.
Yes going down the main trail is steep in parts. You can return the way you came up or take the boulder trail. Look at the map at the kiosk in the parking lot.
BTW a $50 donation to the campaign will get you a very nice two sided map. The entire Belknap range on one side, Mt Major and Gunstock trails on the other side.