Warning: This data is out-of-date. Trails, roads, and landmarks change.
You should obtain current information before attempting any hike.
Date Hiked: 10/27/90
Length: 6.8 miles
Type: backtrack
Difficulty: 4
Scenery: 4
Blaze: yellow
Main Features: great views
Location: Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
Turn off of highway 64 onto 276 into the Pisgah Forest from Brevard. Drive 5.4 miles and turn left on road 475. Drive 0.4 miles to the parking lot on the right. The trail heads up the mountain from near the center of the parking lot.
Note: This trail is very popular.
Approximate Altitude Changes
Ascend 1,675 feet from the parking lot to Looking Glass Rock
Miles
0.0 parking area
0.1 step across small stream on rocks
0.2 bridge
1.4 dangerous overlook on right a couple of steps off the trail
2.2 gain ridge top (end of switchbacks)
2.3 yellow blazed spur on left goes to great overlooks
(carefully follow blazes up and to the left until you come to the overlook)
from the overlook John Rock is across the valley to the left,
just beyond and to the right of John Rock is Cedar Rock Mountain,
the Blue Ridge Parkway follows the ridges to the right,
and the edge of Looking Glass Rock can be seen on the extreme right
backtrack to the trail
2.7 rejoin trail
3.2 trail levels off briefly after steep ascent
3.3 gain top at a clearing with partial views left and right
begin descent
3.4 Looking Glass Rock (very dangerous)
beautiful panoramic views across the valleys toward the Blue Ridge Parkway
backtrack
Hiking Trails Home (terms & codes defined)
Georgia North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee
Copyright © 2006-2010 by Jon Maloney