Hawksbill Mountain and Timber Hollow Hike
This teardrop hike from Timber Hollow Overlook on Skyline Drive passes around and over Hawksbill Mountain. Timber Hollow Overlook has a beautiful view of the Massanutten Range before the hike navigates the Appalachian Trail to the picturesque Salamander Trail. The summit of Hawksbill Mountain is one of the prettiest in the Shenandoah National Park, with 270 degree views From Kennedy Peak to Old Rag Mountain. This hike is also the sister to the Hawksbill Mountain/Franklin Cliffs circuit that reverses the teardrop section from the south.If you're short on time and still want to bag the 4,050ft Hawksbill summit, start the hike from the Hawksbill Gap parking area on Skyline Drive following the Lower Hawksbill Trail for a out and back 1.6 miles.
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Mile 0.0 - From the parking area at Timber Hollow Overlook enjoy one of the best views of the hike. To the west is the Massanutten Range with New Market Gap and Strickler Knob visible to the northwest. Pass through the gap in the overlook wall and follow the connector trail down to the Appalachian Trail in 60 yards. Turn left on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) south and pass around the western flank of Bettys Rock before arriving at the trail junction of the connecter trail to the Crescent Rock Overlook.
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Mile 0.92 - Continue south on the A.T. for another 0.42 miles and arrive at the Hawksbill Gap parking connector trail.
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Mile 1.34 - Stay straight remaining on the A.T. where the trail now begins to climb around the northern side of Hawksbill Mountain. Pass through a rock slide with views to the north. The A.T. becomes less steep after the rock slide area.
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Mile 2.46 - Stay left onto the blue blazed Salamander Trail and begin the climb of Hawksbill Mountain. The trail will make four switchbacks before passing a spectacular view to the west of the Massanutten Range. Pass two more nice viewpoints and then the trail ends at the Birds Nest 2 Road.
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Mile 3.23 - Turn left uphill on the Birds Nest 2 Road and pass the Birds Nest 2 shelter (day use only before arriving at the lookout at the summit of Hawksbill Mountain.
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Mile 3.36 - At the summit there are expansive 270° views to the west, north and east, with a vista of Old Rag Mountain to the northeast. Return past the Birds Nest 2 shelter then take the Birds Nest 2 Road for 50 yards to the first trail intersection.
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Mile 3.44 - Turn left downhill at with the blue blazed Lower Hawksbill Trail. The trail becomes increasingly steep, then levels out just before the intersection of the connector trail and Hawksbill Gap parking area at Skyline Drive.
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Mile 4.13 - Turn left on the connector trail back into the woods arriving back at the A.T. in 100 yards.
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Mile 4.16 - Turn right/north on the A.T. for 1.34 miles.
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Mile 5.3 - Arrive back at Timber Hollow Overlook and parking area.
