April 24th, 2022: Hiking to the Highest Peak in Shenandoah National Park
There are three different trails you can take to reach the summit. I’ve done two of the three routes… sort of. The first time I hiked up to Hawksbill Summit was in April 2022 with my mom and dad. We took the Hawksbill loop via the Appalachian trail which is supposed to be about 3 miles long… that’s if you actually do the loop.
We reached the top of Hawksbill Summit after tackling a pretty rocky trail. I was so amazed at the views from the top. There were so many places to sit and enjoy the views. There was also a man-made viewing platform further down. It was quite crowded that day, but because the area was so big it didn’t bother me.
We retraced our steps back the same way we came which ended up being over a 4-mile hike. Still not a long hike but I prefer loop trails over out-and-back trails any day. I really need to work on my navigating/directional skills. At least that wasn’t as bad as the first time my husband and I went on our very first hike together in which an 8-mile loop turned into 12 miles. And yet he still wanted to go on more hikes with me after all that. Lucky me!
July 3rd, 2022: A Short Steep Climb to the Most Beautiful Spot to Watch Sunset in Virginia
Okay! Here we are. The second time I decided to hike up Hawksbill Summit was a few months later in July with my boyfriend (now husband). We both have passions for watching sunrises and sunsets, so the decision to watch sunset on top of Hawksbill Summit was a no-brainer! Also, this was his first time hiking the trail. We decided to take the shortest route which is from the Hawksbill Gap parking lot via the Lower Hawksbill Trail. It was less than 1 mile to the top via that route but quite a steep climb!
We wanted to make sure we got there with plenty of time to set up the camera, eat snacks, and drink a beer, so we booked it up the mountain. The sweat on our faces and palms glistened in the sun as we stomped towards the summit… lol, sorry getting carried away with storytelling. Anyway, we made it and ended up being the only two up there for some time then another couple joined us at the viewing platform.
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If I could describe the sunset on top of Hawksbill Summit in one word, it would be ✨magical✨. Walking down the mountain in the dark after the sun had set… unmagical. Why? Because I’m afraid of the dark. Facts.
Thankfully, we safely made it to the car. I would absolutely do it all over again! Best sunset spot in Virginia!
Our Rating of Hawksbill Summit
We give this trail a BIG 10/10!
What we liked: multiple routes ranging from easy to moderate; beautiful views with a viewing platform at the summit; shelter at the top; well-marked and well-maintained trail(s); perfect spot for watching sunset.
What we didn’t like: Be aware, this is a popular trail, so I’m sure it can be very crowded at times, but we’ve had good luck so far!
