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Hawksbill Mountain Summit Trail
The park's highest peak at 4,050 feet, Hawksbill Mountain rewards hikers with great views.
Plan Around Hawksbill Mountain Summit Trail
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Hawksbill Mountain Summit Trail Details
The loop trail to the top of the park's highest peak, 4,050-foot Hawksbill Mountain, is a straightforward hike and can be done in either direction. For a more gradual ascent, take the short connector trail from the Hawksbill Gap Parking Area (mile 45.6 on Skyline Drive) to the Appalachian Trail (AT) and follow the AT south to the trailpost marker for the Salamander Trail. Go left here, and follow the blue blazes to the summit. There is a hut near the top with a sign indicating that you are 50 yards from the summit; follow this path for great views of the Shenandoah Valley. Descend via the blue-blazed Lower Hawksbill Trail. If you decide to go the other way around the loop and ascend via the Lower Hawksbill Trail, you'll gain over 700 feet in the first mile but will have a more relaxed route down via the AT. For a shorter hike, you can do a 1.7-mile roundtrip out-and-back on the Lower Hawksbill Trail from the Hawksbill Gap Parking area. Alternatively, park at mile 46.7 on Skyline Drive and take the Upper Hawksbill Trail to the summit for a 2.1-mile roundtrip hike. The Salamander Trail is named for the Shenandoah salamander (Plethodon shenandoah), an endangered species that requires a cool, moist mountain habitat like that found on Hawksbill Mountain. The entire range of this species lies within Shenandoah National Park. As a visitor to the Shenandoah salamander's fragile home, be sure to practice Leave No Trace principles and observe animals without disturbing them.
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
2.9 miles
Estimated time
2 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Hawksbill Mountain Summit Trail
Compare nearby parks around Hawksbill Mountain Summit Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Hawksbill Mountain Summit Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Hawksbill Mountain Summit Trail while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Cedar Run/Whiteoak Circuit
Hike past numerous spectacular waterfalls on this strenuous but rewarding loop.
0.5 mi away
Crescent Rock Trail
Get off the beaten path for a non-technical forest hike on the Crescent Rock Trail.
0.9 mi away
Upper Hawksbill Parking Area
A parking area adjacent to the Upper Hawksbill Trail.
1.7 mi away
Limberlost Trail
Check out this easy, ADA-accessible loop trail with great opportunities for wildlife sightings.
2.1 mi away
White Oak Canyon Parking Area
White Oak Canyon offers parking for multiple trails.
