Hiking the Majestic Looking Glass Rock

Nestled in the center of Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina, Looking Glass Rock invites every hiker, rock climber, and nature lover. Whether you’re starting at the Looking Glass Rock trailhead for a rewarding hike or gearing up for some of the best Looking Glass Rock climbing in the Southeast, this destination promises an unforgettable experience.

Some 390 million years ago, a pluton monolith-a great ball of granitic rock that would have become a volcano had it not cooled before reaching the earth’s surface-formed. Magma cooled and crystallized very slowly beneath the earth’s surface to form the immense body of granite now known as Looking Glass Rock. This monolith soars upwards nearly 4,000 feet from the valley floor. It rises a few thousand feet above the tree-covered slopes of the Pisgah National Forest. For those who are curious where its name came from, this natural phenomenon received its name from the reflective ice on its surface that mirrors sunlight like a looking glass. When fall sets in, Looking Glass Rock is an even more dazzling place to go, offering some of the most spectacular scenes of fall foliage.

Hiking the Looking Glass Rock Trail

The well-marked Looking Glass Rock trailhead is where the adventure begins with a 6.5-mile round-trip trail for those who are fit enough to try it. Typically, it takes between 4 to 5 hours to complete. This moderately strenuous hike rises steadily through beautiful forests of oak and hickory, which explode into splashes of red, orange, and yellow during fall. By the time one gains the summit of the trail, he sees a panorama of the surrounding mountains with colors that burst, characteristic of autumn.

Not only does the summit present a view of accomplishment, it also beholds the sight of amazing views across the Blue Ridge Mountains and the broad landscape of Transylvania County. Remember to pack some snacks or lunch in your backpack and enjoy a picnic with an amazing view at the summit. As with every hike, take plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout your journey.

Of course, the best vantage point of Looking Glass Rock itself is from the Looking Glass Rock Overlook at milepost 417 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, near the town of Brevard. To reach the rock, the Looking Glass Rock Trail departs from a trailhead just off forest road FS-475, south of Looking Glass Falls.

Location on Google Maps.