The Hawksbill Mountain Trail in western North Carolina’s Linville Gorge is a quick hike full of grandeur that winds through beautiful rhododendron and up to rock outcroppings for a spectacular view of the breathtaking landscape from atop Hawksbill Mountain–one of the our state’s treasures. Photography by JC Garcia
DISTANCE. 2 Miles Out and Back.
DIFFICULTY. Moderate to Strenuous.
If you come to Boone and go anywhere near the Linville Gorge Wilderness, it’s a sin not to make the trek to Hawksbill Mountain.
Why Hawksbill Mountain (North Carolina) Should Top Every Hiker’s Bucket List
The Linville Gorge Wilderness is situated in the Pisgah National Forest, and it’s the wildest area in the High Country. Any view of the Gorge is spectacular, but Hawksbill Mountain is particularly majestic with its high elevation and panoramic view at the top.
Footstep for footstep this is among the most rewarding two mile out and back hikes in western North Carolina.
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Accessible year round, the trail allows for the quintessential Linville Gorge experience without the strenuous and lengthy time expenditure of other Gorge hikes.
This short jaunt is also punctuated by beautiful rhododendron and, in the spring, an array wildflowers.
