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 Reporter |
Summary: This trail is steep for nearly the entire hike. You are well inside the tree line for the entire hike, so there is not much to see. Once you reach the byrd shelter the views abound, and just another 100 feet or so, you reach the summit overlook, a beautiful 360 degree view. The NPS has a stone overlook built on the summit, so it's easy to know when you have gotten there. It's a tough walk but worth it. Within an hour you can bag the tallest peak in Shenandoah! There is an alternate version of this hike that is a loop. The hike described in this report is an out an back route. Trailhead: The trailhead is actually a small parking area on the side of the Skyline drive, near mile marker 45.6. There is a typical NPS trailhead sign with a map on the edge of the lot, which holds only 4-5 cars. (Lat:38 Lon:-78) Trail Guides for Hawksbill Summit: Hiking Shenandoah National Park by Bert & Jane Gildart (Falcon Guide) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: National Park Service Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Jeffrey R. Daro, who has posted 2 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Viewer on 9/1/2011 The people who wrote the summary for this hike took the wrong trail up! You will want to start at the same little parking lot, but stop to take a look at the trail map. There is one trail that goes straight up. Don't take that trail! Take the other, longer trail that merges with the Appalachian Trail. It is MUCH more gradual, and offers some nice views from rockslides. It's a little harder to find. Look for a post at the edge of the parking area, to the right of the trailhead map. It marks a small, sometimes hard to see, trail that goes into the woods for a few yards before intersecting with the AT. (Look for blazes and sign posts) At the AT, hang a left. Much later, when the trail forks, keep left to the summit. Return via the same route 
Reviewed by JRE on 5/1/2011 My wife and I went today, a warm but light rainy day. This is a nice hike, which took about 40 minutes to get to the top. The trail starts out a bit steep, levels out, then a little down hill, then up as you approach the fire road.This piece is .7 mile. The fire road is a little steeper, but only for about .3 miles. There is a shelter at the top, and a couple of picnic tables. There is a 360 view from the man made stone observation area. I would do this hike again, and really enjoyed it. Round trip is no more than 1 1/2 hours, even at a slower pace.
Reviewed by ce on 1/31/2011 Just did this as part of cedar run and white oak. Its a good way to add some elevation. Could probably drive a wagon up the trail as it is very wide and smooth. View from the top was great trail was covered in a foot of snow but was still really easy to follow. Very cold at summit
Reviewed by MIKE A. on 1/20/2010 Being that it was of my first hikes in the shenendoah, I thought it was beautiful. There were deer by the dozens running around us the entire time. The view from the top is somthing I would like to share with all my able friends and family.
Reviewed by Keith on 1/11/2009 Hiked this for the first time today with my 13yo daughter and we really enjoyed the summit even though it was very windy and around 20 degrees up there. The hike wasn't all that hard and the view was well worth the walk. It took less than 35 minutes to go up and less to go back down. The rest of the time is spent enjoying the scenery at the summit. Like they say, not much to look at on the way up but plenty at the summit. It seems that there may be more than one way up to the summit. The best way (the way we went) appears to be from the Upper Hawksbill parking lot, and then tracing back.
Reviewed by David on 3/15/2008 My two oldest daughters and I hiked Hawksbill today. Great view at the top. Short hike,somewhat steep at times. We encountered many animals on this hike. about 3/4 up we saw a Ruffed Grouse on a log and near the top saw a goup of 5 large deer. On the way down we scared a sow and her cub. A must hike for all visiting the park.
Reviewed by Victoria on 11/27/2007 This hike was wonderful! It was steep and a little tricky at times with the rocks slipping out from your feet,but most every trail will have that. The wildlife, deer and birds bound. We had a deer about 3 feet away from us that was eating, so it was a great way to see a deer up close and personal. The view was absoulutley amazing! Well worth the hike.
Reviewed by Rob on 1/2/2007 My wife son and I did this one 2 weeks ago. We did the loop - 2.9 miles, I believe and it took us about 2 hrs. The loop has you walking along the road for a mile and a half or so (back to the parking area)- something I personally do not like to do. All in all a nice family walk. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Virginia Hiking, Virginia Trails, Virginia Hikes, Rappahannock County Hiking, Rappahannock County Trails, Rappahannock County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
