Take in the views from Shenandoah National Park’s highest mountain

Shenandoah National Park stretches more than 100 miles along Virginia’s beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The long and narrow park is a wilderness oasis only a couple of hours away from Washington, D.C., and other major metropolitan areas.

Shenandoah has something for everyone. Scenic views along Skyline Drive, ample wildlife, horseback riding, history, and, of course, hundreds of miles of incredible hiking trails. There are so many amazing hikes in the park it can be a bit difficult to figure out which one to check off.

Hiking Hawksbill

There are no bad hikes in the park, but there are certainly great ones. And hiking to the rocky outcrops on the summit of Hawksbill is certainly one of them. At 4,051 feet, Hawksbill is Shenandoah’s highest mountain. The panoramic views from the top are nothing short of spectacular. On a clear day with good air quality, you can see for miles and miles. There are three hikes that will get you to the summit. All three are very popular, so plan on getting to the trailhead early. Trust us, the sunrise view from the summit will make sure you don’t miss that extra hour of sleep.

Three Trails to the Summit

Upper Hawksbill to the summit is the easiest option. It’s a 2.1-mile round trip with 520 feet of elevation gain. The trailhead is located at mile 46.5 of Skyline Drive. Like most trailheads in the park, parking is limited.

The Hawksbill Summit Hike via the Lower Hawksbill Trail starts at mile 45.5 of Skyline Drive at the Hawksbill Gap parking area. This trailhead provides access to several trails, including the Appalachian Trail, so expect to see other people. The Lower Hawksbill Trail is only 1.7 miles out and back, making it the shortest of three options. However, it is steep and rocky and climbs nearly 700 feet.

The Hawksbill Loop is the last of the three ways to stand on the top of the summit. This 2.9-mile loop hike also starts at the Hawksbill Gap parking area. From the trailhead, take a short connector trail to the A.T. Turn left and follow the white blazes until you come to an intersection with the Salamander Trail. Follow the blue-blazed Salamander Trail until you hit a junction with the Upper Hawksbill Trail. Take that to the summit and enjoy the views. Return back to the trailhead via the blue-blazed Lower Hawksbill Trail.

No matter which way you choose to summit Hawksbill, you will not be disappointed by this incredible hike. If possible, we recommend trying to go in October when the leaves are changing color.