Hike to Hawksbill Mountain

Morganton, North Carolina

5.0/5
based on 2 reviews

Details

Distance

2.1 miles

Elevation Gain

660 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Sophie Lamarche

Take a short hike to the top of Hawksbill Mountain, with views of Table Rock, the Linville Gorge and on a clear day the Charolette skyline.

Starting at the Hawksbill Mountain Trailhead, which is clearly marked start hiking up! The trail starts out with some easy uphill switchbacks and leads you to the first lookout point. Enjoy sometime at the lookout point, but you'll want to keep going for a more incredible view. Keep hiking uphill until you come to a small sign pointing you left to Hawksbill Mountain. When you hit the sign the trail will become steeper and more rocky, but when you get to the sign you only have .4 of a mile left so keep trekking. When you get to the top, the trail will flatten out, but you will want to keep walking until you come to a campfire site. Once you hit the campfire site, you will see tons of rocks that you can scramble down and take pictures from! Even if it is busy, which is rare, you should be able to find your own rock to sit on!! **If you have young children keep an eye on them because there are cliffs on one side of the rock at the end.** 

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Features

Chillin
Photography
Hiking
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Forest
Romantic
Scenic
Wildflowers

Hike to Hawksbill Mountain Reviews

Get your heart pumping with this 2.5 mile out and back hike. Lots of scrambling as you get towards the top. Smaller children who are used to hiking can do it (albeit with some complaining.) Our 8yo did it with no problem. Wear good boots for the uneven terrain and some muddy parts if there was rain before. When you get to the top there’s plenty of space to relax, have a snack, gulps of water, and to just lounge. So many phot ops and on a nice day the surrounding mountains are beautiful. If you go on a weekend go early as it can get crowded and parking is limited on the gravel roads leading up the trailhead. No bathrooms and please follow LNT etiquette. Dogs are also welcome on leash.

We loved this place so much that we did our engagement photos here

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Camp at the Chimneys in the Linville Wilderness

Hike to the Summit of Table Rock Mountain

Little Table Rock Trail

Photograph Hawksbill Mountain at Sunrise or Sunset

Hawksbill Mountain Trail

Shortoff Mountain Summit