Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Salamander Trail

Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 4.5 (4)
  1. Areas
  2. VA
  3. …Shenandoah Valley
  4. …Shenandoah National Park
  5. Central District
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

“One of several routes up to Hawksbill Summit. ”

Luke AT
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List

0.6

Miles

1.0

KM

Point to Point

3,973' 1,211 m

High

3,683' 1,123 m

Low

289' 88 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

17%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly This accessible route to the summit of Hawksbill is a great way for kids of all ages to enjoy getting themselves to the top of a mountain.

Description

This is the least steep route up to Hawksbill summit which can be accessed from south of the peak along the Appalachian Trail AT. The trail follows a wide, rocky path around several looping switchbacks to Hawksbill Trail/Byrds Nest #2 Road just south of the summit. Several lesser viewpoints can be found along the upper stretches of the trail.

Contacts

Local Club: Potomac Appalachian Trail Club

Dec 3, 2025: PATC Volunteer Awards 2025

Dec 3, 2025: President's Logbook

Dec 3, 2025: Stoner Cabin Open House and Dedication

Land Manager: NPS - Shenandoah National Park

Shared By:

Luke AT with improvements by J H
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 4 votes

#15

in Central District

#8434

Overall
  4.5 from 4 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#15

in Central District

#213

in Virginia

#8,434

Overall
7 Views Last Month
1,260 Since Nov 25, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
17%
33%
50%
0%
0%
0%

1 Comment

Sort by: Oldest Drop down
Newest Oldest Popular
loading

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Oct 22, 2022
Maddie McElfresh
Aug 3, 2022
Jesse Daniels
0.8mi
Oct 4, 2021
Mariah Natzke
Sep 27, 2019
Jesse Daniels
Apr 21, 2018
Samantha Ross
Mar 5, 2017
Chris McCloud
Done as part of Loop on all Hawksbill trails (AT-Salamander-Upper Hawksbill-Lower Hawksbill).
Mar 5, 2017
Chris McCloud
Did Hawksbill vicinity as part of loop on all Hawksbill trails (AT-Salamander-Upper & Lower Hawksbill).
Mar 2, 2017
Donovan Fitzgerald
A much nicer way down from the summit of Hawksbill. 0.8mi

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started