Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Hawksbill Mountain Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.4 (64)
  1. Areas
  2. VA
  3. …Shenandoah Valley
  4. …Shenandoah National Park
  5. Central District
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“This 2.7-mile loop takes you directly to the peak and then takes a less aggressive way back down. ”

Larry W Brown
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

2.6

Miles

4.2

KM

Loop

4,033' 1,229 m

High

3,392' 1,034 m

Low

602' 184 m

Up

649' 198 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

24%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

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. 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.

Description

This loop starts with the Hawksbill Summit Trail that begins at the Lower Hawksbill Parking lot. 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. At the top, you'll reach the day use shelter and the extremely photogenic "Byrds Nest" is just 50' past that.

After resting your legs at the top, you start descending for 300' on the Upper Hawksbill Trail until you reach the post marking the Salamander Trail that starts on the right. This trail leads back out to the ridge line for more magnificent views before dropping down into the valley. After about 0.8 miles, you'll reach the AT and follow that out of the forest and along a rocky ridge. There are a couple of spots where you are actually hiking on rocks so be careful with your footing.

After the rocky area, you'll go back into some forest until you reach a fork. Take a right onto the Hawksbill Gap Trail, which will lead you back to the parking lot.

Flora & Fauna

Typical Shenandoah Park flora and fauna.

Contacts

Local Club: Friends of Shenadoah River State Park

Aug 1, 2024: August Events at the Park!!

Jun 13, 2024: Come celebrate Shenandoah River State Park’s 25th Anniversary!

Apr 21, 2024: Riverside Clean-Up! Thursday April 25

Land Manager: NPS - Shenandoah National Park

Shared By:

Larry W Brown with improvements by J H
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 64 votes

#4

in Central District

#157

Overall
  4.4 from 64 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
44%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#4

in Central District

#7

in Virginia

#157

Overall
60 Views Last Month
13,406 Since Mar 9, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
2%
54%
27%
17%
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
Hawksbille summit view.
Oct 6, 2020 near Stanley, VA
Panoramic from the top of Hawksbill Mtn.
Mar 13, 2016 near Stanley, VA

1 Comment

Sort by: Oldest Drop down
Newest Oldest Popular
loading

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 78 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Nov 11, 2024
J H
Jun 11, 2024
David Hitchcock
Hiked the loop counterclockwise, which was fine, but you can do it either way. The trail was peaceful and the views nice.
May 14, 2024
graham elliott
Mar 16, 2024
Tom Muldowney
July 2023
Mar 5, 2024
Jacob Ayriss
Feb 18, 2024
Kari Edwards
Cold! 1 inch snow. Snow packed trail. Bluebird sky day
Nov 19, 2023
Ashley Zagari
Nov 19, 2023
Ashley Zagari

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started