Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Assn

A great location with beautiful views and very well-​maintained hiking trails.
We traveled to the location from Alexandria, VA, in search of a challenging hike on a beautiful, crisp fall day and we weren’t disappointed. Actually, we were very pleasantly surprised. Don’t be surprised at the amount of cars in the parking lots because once you get out on the trails, you’ll find the solitude you’re looking for.
We started at the visitor’s center which offers lectures, equipment, snacks, souvenirs, and restrooms. We then proceeded through the main entrance starting at the South Lookout. We hiked the River of Rocks trail leading to the Golden Eagle trail then the East Rocks trail to the North Lookout. It was an exhilarating and challenging hike. The River of Rocks was an incredible sight and well worth the trek. If you follow the path we did, make sure you come prepared with the proper footwear, water and snacks. Using the East Rocks trail to approach the North Lookout is not for the faint of heart. There are several large rock scrambles you’ll have to navigate. Along the way to the North Lookout, you’ll be amazed with the views and you’ll be happy you made the effort. Finally, as you make your approach to the North Lookout you’ll be surprised by one last challenging uphill rock scramble that seems daunting but, once again, is well worth the effort!
Thank you to the folks at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for a great adventure!

I went with a class trip and I was not expecting how much climbing over rocks and boulders we would be doing. It was very hard and kids kept falling.
It’s a beautiful place. Especially when you get to the top and your sitting out watching the birds. It is very dangerous though especially for a class trip…
But again very beautiful.