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Lower Hawksbill Trail

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 3.4 (8)
  1. Areas
  2. VA
  3. …Shenandoah Valley
  4. …Shenandoah National Park
  5. Central District
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“One of several routes to Hawksbill Summit. ”

Luke AT
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0.7

Miles

1.1

KM

Point to Point

4,035' 1,230 m

High

3,404' 1,037 m

Low

631' 192 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

17%

Avg Grade (10°)

25%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly Though steep, this trail is short enough that older kids would enjoy the climb, and the visit to the lookout and shelter at the top.

Description

This trail is the steepest and most direct route to Hawksbill summit. From the parking area on Skyline Drive, north of the peak, the trail follows a wide rocky path directly up the east face of the mountain to the Hawksbill Trail/Byrds Nest #2 Road, just below the summit.

Contacts

Local Club: Potomac Appalachian Trail Club

Dec 3, 2025: PATC Volunteer Awards 2025

Dec 3, 2025: President's Logbook

Dec 3, 2025: Stoner Cabin Open House and Dedication

Land Manager: NPS - Shenandoah National Park

Shared By:

Luke AT
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.4 from 8 votes

#40

in Central District

#25070

Overall
  3.4 from 8 votes
5 Star
13%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
25%
2 Star
25%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#40

in Central District

#632

in Virginia

#25,070

Overall
17 Views Last Month
4,219 Since Nov 25, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
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10%
30%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

View from Hawksbill Peak
Jun 3, 2022 near Stanley, VA
Let out a well-deserved celebration on Hawksbill Summit (4,050ft).
Mar 9, 2017 near Stanley, VA
View from the trail.
Jun 3, 2022 near Stanley, VA
Views from the summit of Mt. Hawksbill.
Dec 10, 2015 near Stanley, VA
Panoramic from the top of Hawksbill Mtn.
Mar 13, 2016 near Stanley, VA
Hawksbill Summit looking north.
Jun 1, 2016 near Stanley, VA

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 19, 2022
David Fishman
2mi — 9h 30m
May 27, 2021
Allison K
Out and back 1.4mi
Oct 9, 2020
Ryan Shumate
Sep 21, 2020
Heather Franke
Jun 26, 2020
Kirk Comer
Pretty steep. My dog handled it easily. I wasn't nearly as good as him but enjoyed it very much!
Jun 7, 2020
Christina Potter
Mar 18, 2020
G Duff
Sep 27, 2019
Jesse Daniels

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