The Hawksbill Loop Offers Some Of The Most Breathtaking Views In Virginia

If you enjoy hiking in Virginia, you'll find there are nearly endless options to choose from. We're partial to loop trails, as they showcase beautiful scenery and new views at every turn. One of our favorite loop trails in Virginia is known as Hawksbill Loop. Along the way, hikers can look forward to traveling through the woods and also enjoying a stunning mountain overlook. Here's more on why this might be one of the most beautiful trails in the state.

Hawksbill Mountain is the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park, residing at 4,049 feet above sea level. As you can imagine, the views from this vantage point are astounding!

The peak can be reached via a handful of ways, but our favorite is the 2.9-mile circuit trail.

To start, you'll want to park at the Hawksbill Gap Parking Area at Milepost 45.5 of Skyline Drive. Then, you'll follow a brief connector trail that takes you to the Appalachian Trail.

Follow the beautiful Appalachian Trail south until you cross the Salamander Trail, a blue-blazed trail. Follow this trail until you reach the final junction with the Upper Hawksbill Trial.

Before long, you'll see a signpost indicating that you are close to the top!

The viewing platform at the top of the mountain will give you stunning, unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains. It might just be one of the best views in the entire park.

Be sure to bring your camera, too, because the photo ops here are second to none.

After you've soaked in the views, prepare to head back. You'll be taking the Lower Hawksbill Trail to complete the loop.

Have you ever hiked Hawksbill Loop? Do you agree that it's one of the most beautiful loop trails in Virginia? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below -- we would love to hear from you! For more information, you can check out the National Park Service overview of Hawksbill Loop.

Why not make a whole vacation of visiting Shenandoah National Park? Graves' Mountain Lodge makes for a beautiful base camp.