At the top, you'll reach the day use shelter and the extremely photogenic "Byrds Nest" is just 50' past that. It starts with a steep 700' hike up to the summit in less than a mile, and then winds gradually back to Skyline Drive on the side of the mountain with excellent views. Here’s more on this breathtaking trail: Have you hiked to the top of Hawksbill Summit before? This loop starts with the Hawksbill Summit Trail that begins at the Lower Hawksbill Parking lot. Great views at the top. Great trail. Leave the parking lot on the White Oak Trail. HAWKSBILL MOUNTAIN HIKING TRAIL. Turn left and follow the road up to Byrds Nest # 2. I went when it was about 35-40° (there were icicles hanging from the rocks)- there were no crowds (hardly any people at all!). Then take U.S. Highway 221 north to the Linville Falls area, then Highway 183 to Highway 181. Love Virginia? Go up the steep way first as it’s easier on the knees going down. The Lower Hawksbill Trail climbs straight up the mountain, and you ascend 800 feet in 0.85 miles. Beautiful even on a foggy, rainy day., So much fun! At it's peak at 4,049 feet, it's the highest point in elevation in Shenandoah. In fact, this is where one of the most picturesque hiking trails in the US can be found. 340. Fees are $35 per vehicle or $25 per motorcycle. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Hawksbill Gap Loop via Appalachian Trail is a 2.6 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Syria, Virginia that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Deriving its name from the sharp, slanted ledges which stand out like beaks from its summit, Hawksbill commands some of the most awe-inspiring views of the Gorge one can find. Should you be interested in only hiking Hawksbill Mountain, there is a short 2.6 mile loop also from Hawksbill Gap (alltrails) or you can just to the in and out to the summit (alltrails). The trail is sectioned by color, and you can tell which section you are … Great trail! Both ways begin with the well-maintained trail on the left, which is the trail used for the out-and-back version of the hike. Just behind the Byrds Nest pass a blue blazed trail on the left that leads to Hawksbill … Views of Stanley and Mauck. More Hawksbill Summit Trail is a 1.5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Syria, Virginia that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate. The trail meanders through a tight switchback at.2 mile, veering north. This is a long and fairly rewarding hike to the summit of Hawksbill Mountain, the highest peak in the park, though I would recommend most visitors to do Hawksbill as a 2.5-mile loop hike starting at Hawksbill Gap. Parking can be a challenge, so it is advisable to get there early. The shortest route is via I-40 east to Marion. The shortest route is via I-40 east to Marion. Hawksbill is very popular spot, at the trailhead it's hard to find regular parking spot, just park at road side; plan to spend 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours on the trail and reserve 10-20 minutes at the peak to enjoy the view at the highest point of Shenandoah mountain-4051 feet. Shortly, a trail marker appears as the trail intersection with the Appalachian Trail. 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Hawksbill Loop Hike 2.9-mile circuit 2-hours hiking time Moderate 860-foot elevation gain From the north end of the Hawksbill Gap parking area at mile 45.5, take the … The hike passes a small, shallow cave at.3 mile and arcs westbound. But glad is a short hike. Technically, Hawksbill Summit has an upper trail and lower trail, but the lower trail is the more popular one. Head to the beloved Shenandoah National Park and you’ll get your full dose of gorgeous mountain trails. After taking in the views proceed down the road. I'd recommend going counterclockwise and doing the AT portion first. No litter. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Go south three miles on Highway 181 to Gingercake Road (the second intersection with Gingercake Rd. Hawksbill Gap serves as the trailhead for a number of popular hikes (including the fantastic Whiteoak Canyon-Cedar Run loop), so arrive early to get a parking spot. Not very steep over most of the trail. The Hawksbill loop is a three mile loop referenced as the Appalachian Trail route on the main page. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains. The first half of this circuit is a forest walk that passes 2 feeder streams for Rose River, and the second is vista after vista from both the Appalachian Trail and Hawksbill Summit. This trail is very rocky in places, and the descent from the summit is steep. I would recommend going counterclockwise, but either way you go you will get steep inclines. Very crowded with the rudest of people one can encounter. Once we reached the AT, we greeted some thru hikers. Species to look for as you meander along the creek include green heron and black-crowned night-heron, belted kingfisher, downy woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, eastern bluebird and American goldfinch. The hike. And easy moderate loop. You can also do a lolly pop option from Fishers Gap to include the Franklin Cliffs and then take the 2.6 mile loop before returning to Fishers Gap. When you get there, the physical map clearly outlines the two options, Very rocky and uphill turain but goes to amazing view. The South end of town near the train bridge The trail splits. Enter at Thorton Gap (second from north Shenandoah entrance) and go south until mile marker 45. 4051 Ft Mile 1.34 - Stay straight remaining on the A.T. where the trail now begins to climb around the northern side of Hawksbill Mountain. Trail Facts. Hawksbill Loop will take you to the top of the park’s highest mountain, so you can look forward to the reward of endless mountain views (and some bragging rights!). The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from April until November. Beautiful views but rather crowded trail. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from April until November. ). Hawksbill Mountain: the hike The hike begins at a trailhead off the gravel NC Forest Service 210 (view maps and driving directions), hiking southwest into a young hardwood forest with scattered pine. HSL001. I have heard so many different distances for this hike. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. This blue-blazed hike is more rocky to start and begins with a mild descent. Location: 38.5561575, -78.3868525. Entrance Fee & Parking The entrance fee for Shenadoah National Park is $30 per vehicle, unless you have an annual park pass (which is a good idea to have if you’re taking a USA road trip ! The Hawksbill Greenway is a 2 mile paved path for multiple usage that runs along the Hawksbill Creek through the middle of the town and along the business Rt. This hike can be completed as a 2.8-mile loop or a 1.9-mile there-and-back trek. We did see some deer on the AT part of the trail. Directions. Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! If you've got hiking poles in the car, you may want to grab them. This is a short and steep hike with outstanding views at the top. Distance: 1553.0; Waypoints. Off Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park there is a parking lot at mile 46.7 where the hike to Hawksbill Summit begins. Starts with a fairly strenuous climb. We started with the steep uphill on Lower Hawksbill to get the climb out of the way. I checked my phone after I did it and it said 1.7 miles, so I … Description Hawksbill Trail is a great summit trail to an incredible summit. The run begins with 4 mile, 2950 foot ascent to the summit of Hawksbill, the highest point in Shenandoah National Park. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Link this trail up with the Jonas Ridge Trail, and you have a great out-and-back, or you could loop it with the gravel road. Hawksbill Mountain is the highest peak in the park at 4050'. Expect it to be crowded in the summer and on the weekend, especially for a relatively easy hike with big payoff. ). The trailhead is a large white oak tree and from that point going forward this is an extremely steep 1.5-mile journey to the peak. The Hawksbill Greenway is a 2-mile non-motorized pathway in the town of Luray, Virginia, two hours from Washington D.C. There were a few rocky spots on the way up the AT portion of the trail. The AT part was beautiful, lots of rocks and quiet. The views from Franklin Cliffs look out on the Massanutten range to the west, and there is a spectacular 270 degree panorama from the Hawksbill Summit with a view of Old Rag. Hawksbill Loop Hike From the Hawksbill Gap parking area, select the trail that leads off to the right for the 2.8-mile loop hike. Head North on the Skyline Drive and park at the Lower Hawksbill Trail parking area at milepost 45.6 (do not park at the Upper Hawksbill Parking area for the hike outlined here). It is steeper and more strenuous than the At the top, you'll reach the day use shelter and the extremely photogenic "Byrds Nest" is just 50' past that. Really nice trail, beautiful views, moderately challenging climb. My first solo hiking trail. Pass through a rock slide with views to the north. I’ve read that it is a 1.5-mile round-trip hike 2 miles, and even 2.5 miles to the summit of Hawksbill Mountain. Hawksbill Summit from: parking area at mile 45.6- 1.7 miles round trip, fairly steep hike to spectacular view. Hawksbill is a nice, easy 2.9 mile trail. The ride in was 1.5 hours from Alexandria, VA early on a Sunday morning. From coastal hikes to high-altitude trails, there’s truly a little something for every kind of adventurer. If you are entering on foot, horse, or bike the fee is $15 per person. parking area at mile 45.6- 2.9 mile circuit, moderate hike with beautiful views much of the way, and a spectacular view at the top. Shenandoah National Park charges a fee to enter. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. Upper Hawksbill/Lower Hawksbill/Salamander, White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run Trails Loop, Cedar Run Trail to Hawksbill to White Oak Trail Loop, Robertson Mountain and Old Rag Mountain Loop from Skyline, Lower White Oak Falls via Whiteoak Canyon Trail, Cedar Run, White Oak, Old Rag, Weakley Hollow and Nicholson Hollow Trail, Hawksbill via Appalachian Trail and Redgate Road, Cedar Run Trail to White Oak Fire Road Loop, Hawksbill Mountain, Franklin Cliffs, Big Meadows Horse Trail, Old Rag Fire Road, Weakley Hollow and Robertson Mountain Loop, Crescent Rock Overlook via Crescent Rock Trail and Limberlost Trail, White Oak Canyon Trail to Upper Falls Overlook. 10/10, Lovely trail. From here, we followed the 2.8 mile Hawksbill Loop Trail. Overall, nice trail. Two repeats of this loop are an excellent prep for big western 100s. This loop starts with the Hawksbill Summit Trail that begins at the Lower Hawksbill Parking lot. You can also purchase a park specific annual pass for $55. Hawksbill Creek is easily accessible via the Greenway’s walking trails and the creek can be followed all the way through town. If so, we’d love to hear about what you thought! Great lookout point and other solid views along the trail. The trailhead is a large white oak tree and from that point going forward this is an extremely steep 1.5-mile journey to the peak. If you take the right fork soon step onto a gravel road. It was hot on the summit trail, but in the shady AT side it was a little muddy and the temperature drop was significant due to the shade so dress appropriately. The water is nice and clean and the trail is wide with good pavement. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Dogs are also able to use this trail. Hawksbill viewed from Big Meadows Shenandoah National Park is the scenic mountain haven of the Mid-Atlantic, the glittering jewel in the crown of the Virginia Appalachians. Perfect conditions for athletic push while feeling safe. The ascent was steep and slippery in the snow, making its way quickly to the Hawksbill summit. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Alexandria. Thank you! For related content, you can read about How 10 Of The Greatest Hiking Trails On Earth Are Right Here In Virginia. Past the first mile not very challenging. Hawksbill Summit is another 50 yards up the trail. We were here on a weekday in late November, and only passed a couple people. Virginia’s hiking trails offer an exciting adventure into the natural landscape. From there, it’s a gradual 7 mile descent back to your car. Massanutten range behind. The trail is technical and gets steadily steeper as you go, but the 360-degree views from the summit are totally worth it. Park at the Hawksbill Gap parking area (this is not the same as the Upper Hawksbill lot, which is just south). Mile 0.92 - Continue south on the A.T. for another 0.42 miles and arrive at the Hawksbill Gap parking connector trail. One of my favorites in SNP. During this stretch of trail, the clouds scattered and we had our only views of the hike through the trees, … From the summit, you can go back the way you came, or take the Appalachian Trail route back to make a 3-mile loop. The Hawksbill Mountain hiking trail is about 65 miles from Asheville in Burke County. Little crowded but understandable. Hawksbill Loop Trail is nothing short of iconic when it comes to the hiking trails of Shenandoah National Park. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. Combines trails following two streams with a jaunt along the AT and a climb up to Hawksbill Mountain Summit, the highest point in Shenandoah park, for awesome views. Beautiful view from summit. Take the longer route! We grabbed our gear and headed down the spur trail. Hawksbill-Ledge Trail Loop (12-3-17) Hawksbill Mountain is the northernmost of three peaks which rise like giant stone sentinels from the east rim of Linville Gorge. If you are looking for solitude, don’t come here on the weekend. To access the trail from Charlottesville, VA enter the park at the Swift Run Gap Entrance Station off 33 near Stanardsville. The trail on the right is a small spur leading to the Appalachian Trail. Decent traffic on a warm day in November. Rocky in some spots on the AT portion. Loved the trail! The parking lot for Hawksbill Loop is located at Mile Post 45.6 along Skyline Drive. Nicely marked. Waterfalls, swimming holes and even a water slide on the lower portions of the trail. Hawksbill Summit Loop Trail Trail Directions: Highlights: Views, Talus Fields, Quick Hike, Places: The map to the left can be found on AllTrails site. Well marked. The trail out of the center of the parking lot is a VERY steep and the most direct trail to the summit called the "Lower Hawksbill Trail". The main spine of the park stretches for 70 miles end-to-end, dividing bucolic Shenandoah Valley from the Piedmont to the east. Hawksbill Gap Loop via Appalachian Trail is a 2.6 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Syria, Virginia that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Elevations vary from 4,050 feet atop Hawksbill down to less than 550 feet […] Great trail with some fantastic views of the Shenandoah. The views are great and we had fun on the rocky pieces of the AT coming down. I thought the best view was from the rocks on the upper portion of the Salamander Trail right before it connects into the Summit Trail. 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