Shortly, a trail marker appears as the trail intersection with the Appalachian Trail. 5. To return to the parking lot, re-trace your steps to the first trail marker and turn left to descend the steep and rocky Lower Hawksbill Trail. 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. This loop takes you to the summit of Hawksbill Mountain which is the largest peak in the park. However, if I had to choose one, I would opt for the Hawksbill Loop Hike. 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. Difficulty: Easy Rose River Falls: A Waterfall Hike + Bonus Swimming Hole, 5 Trails to Hike When Shenandoah National Park is Closed, Hiking to Lewis Falls at Shenandoah National Park, Raven Rocks: Hike the Appalachian Trail to Scenic Views in Bluemont. Shenandoah National Park is known for spectacular panoramic views along Skyline Drive, a 105-mile scenic byway that traverses the entire length of the park. My guess is that it’s because it’s the fastest way to the top. You can also reach the summit from the 1.7 mile Lower Hawksbill Trail or the 2.1 mile Upper Hawksbill Trail. Hawksbill Loop Hike. It’s a very short drive from both parking areas. The Hawksbill Mountain is the largest peak in the park and the 360° views at the top are some of the best to be found in the park. The trail starts off as a wide, shaded path of mostly dirt and gravel, but after about .1-mile the trail gets rockier and steeper. Rose River Loop Trail - 4 mile circuit from Fishers Gap, moderate, shady trail with streams, cascades, and a waterfall. These are the perfect place to stop and catch your breath on the way to the summit. I noticed quite a few buzzing flies at the summit too, so be sure to bring along insect repellent. From the Upper Hawksbill parking area (a much larger parking area than the Hawksbill Gap parking area, by the way), ascend along the shaded 2.1-mile out-and-back trail. From here, you re-enter the shady forest and begin to go downhill for a short time. In a few more steps, you are at a flat northwest-facing viewpoint. In summer, it’s quite green, with lots of low-growth plants and ferns along either side of the trail. We pulled over at the Hawksbill Gap lot at mile 45.5, where the Lower Hawksbill Trail starts. Fees are $35 per vehicle or $25 per motorcycle. Hawksbill Gap Parking is at the trailhead between mileposts 45 and 46. The Hawksbill Mountain is the largest peak in the park and the 360° views at the top are some of the best to be found in the park. The shortest route is just .8 miles to the top for magnificent wide-reaching views. You can reach the summit in less than a mile, although you will be … Look to the right and you can see the mountains through the trees. Here are three ways to get to the top: #1: Hawksbill Summit Hike. Here you’ll want to veer right on a mostly gravel trail. This blue-blazed hike is more rocky to start and begins with a mild descent. Make sure you don't confuse it with Upper Hawksbill on the way back. 1. Turn left and Byrds Nest Shelter #2 comes into view. We took the Appalachian connector to the Salamander to the Lower loop. From the Hawksbill Gap parking area, select the trail that leads off to the right for the 2.8-mile loop hike. Hawksbill mountain is the highest mountain in Shenandoah National Park, 4051' higher than the only other 4,000' mountain in the park, Stony Man 4,011'. Take a few minutes here to re-fuel and re-hydrate before the final ascent. In 0.2 miles, take a left on the Cedar Run Trail and climb for 3 miles. As a bonus, I had four bars with AT&T at the summit (I had no service on the hike to the top). From the Hawksbill Gap parking area, which can accommodate 10 vehicles, begin your ascent on the trail on the left-hand side. The trail emerges from the woods at the summit, and the Byrds Nest Shelter (day use) will be on your right. At the one-mile mark, you’ll see one more trail marker. At the top, there’s plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the views. parking area at mile 45.5, take the Lower Hawksbill Trail to Byrds Nest 2 Shelter and then follow the trail to the viewing platform. Lewis Mountain. Hawksbill Gap Parking is at the trailhead between mileposts... Read more. Park at the Hawksbill Gap parking area (this is not the same as the Upper Hawksbill lot, which is just south). The boulder field is very cool and it’s nice to be able to see the mountains through the forest on the loop hike. Two starts at Hawksbill Gap parking area at mm 45.5. Shenandoah Overlook. The hike. Hawksbill Mountain: the hike. Watch your footing as some rocks can be loose. The 2.6-mile Hawksbill Gap Loop begins with a 1.1-mile hike along the Appalachian Trail from the Hawksbill Gap Parking Area at Mile 45.6. Both are good warm-ups for the main attraction. The most popular hike (in my opinion, based on the number of hikers I saw on this trail) is the Hawksbill Summit Hike. Savor the views from several different areas of Hawksbill Summit, including the Hawksbill Viewing Platform. 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". Instead, you’ll notice a mild ascent, then a flat section, then a mild ascent (repeat, repeat). Off Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park there is a parking lot at mile 46.7 where the hike to Hawksbill Summit begins. If you've got hiking poles in the car, you may want to grab them. From the Hawksbill Gap parking area, select the trail that leads off to the right for the 2.8-mile loop hike. Re-trace your steps to the return to the parking lot, turning right at the first trail marker, then veering left at the second trail marker to descend the relatively steep hill. Hawksbill Gap Loop. This 2.1-mile out-and-back hike begins at the Upper Hawksbill parking area at mile marker 46.7. However, it’s worth noting that there are three routes to the top, and the shortest is not necessarily the least challenging. To your right is a large rock outcropping. In some sections, you can definitely feel the burn. We chose to do a 2.9 mile loop, recommended by the park website. I measured an elevation gain of 771 feet, but the trail felt less challenging than the Hawksbill Summit Hike, which had a gain of 669 feet. While the Hawksbill Summit Hike has a steady incline to the summit, the Hawksbill Loop Hike takes a different approach. Sawmill Run Overlook - 2195 ft. 6. You can also purchase a park specific annual pass for $55. For post-hike refreshments and restrooms, Big Meadows Wayside is at mile marker 51. Much like the loop hike, this dirt and gravel trail to the top has mild inclines, then flat sections. 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. This section is quite steep, so be ready for a slog up the hill. 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. In another .2-mile, you’ll see a couple of large, flat rocks on either side of the trail. #3: Upper Hawksbill to Hawksbill Summit Hike. The hike to Hawksbill Summit at Shenandoah National Park is among the most popular in the park thanks to the relatively short distance to reach the park’s highest point (elevation 4,051 feet). I loved hiking this trail. If you are coming from the North (which is often the case for Northern Virginia travelers) you must reach the small parking area around milepost 45.6, referred to as the Hawksbill Gap Parking area. However, there is still an elevation gain of 489 feet to reach the top on this hike. From the Hawksbill Gap parking lot, one could simply hike uphill one fairly strenuous mile to reach the Byrd's Nest and reach the same climax as the full circuit however, doing the hike this way would cut out the views along the Franklin Cliffs part of the trail. Here’s what you need to know. Cross Skyline Drive at Hawksbill Gap and pick up the trail to Hawksbill Summit. Hawksbill Mountain: Nice, moderate, relatively short hike - See 142 traveler reviews, 136 candid photos, and great deals for Shenandoah National Park, VA, at Tripadvisor. At the 1.1-mile mark, the trail splits. (Oct 28) I started out at Hawksbill Gap Loop parking area at MM 45.5 which is a more challenging hike up as opposed to starting at the Hawkbill Upper Parking area at MM 46.5 which is much easier. This is a day-use shelter with a picnic table inside. It is steeper and more strenuous than the Immediately, Byrds Nest Shelter #2 comes into view. By the .45-mile mark you’ll reach what I can only call a staircase of stones. Shortly, a trail marker appears as the trail intersection with the Appalachian Trail. 2.9 miles – Loop… This 2.7-mile loop takes you directly to the peak on the Hawksbill Summit Trail and then takes the less aggressive Salamander Trail back down to the AT for a return to the parking lot on the Hawksbill Gap Trail. It’s 1.95 miles to the summit. They were short, but you will need to catch your breath, no matter how fit you are. The viewing platform is at the 1.05-mile mark. From the Thornton Gap entrance, take Skyline Drive south for 15.2 miles to reach the parking area, on your right. If you are entering on foot, horse, or bike the fee is $15 per person. The Lower Hawksbill Trail climbs straight up the mountain, and you ascend 800 feet in 0.85 miles. 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.The trail meanders through a tight switchback at .2 mile, veering north. Directions. This hike can be completed as a 2.8-mile loop or a 1.9-mile there-and-back trek. 3. In late-fall, I imagine you can see the mountains much more clearly with less foliage. Rte 1 is clockwise and called the Lower Hawksbill Trail or the Hawksbill Summit Hike. In another few steps (.05-mile), there’s another opening to a viewing area on the left-hand side of the trail. 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