Beacon Heights Overlook Trail

Reviews

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  Rebecca Moriarty Smith
2 months ago
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  Samantha Vater
4 months ago
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  Renee H
a year ago
Incredible spot for sunrises!!! The parking is a bit tricky as my GPS took me to a road that has no signs or indication of Beacon Heights. I ended up following the one car width dirt road for a bit before turning around. I then spotted some folks in a parking lot on the left (as I exited the desolate road). I had to go back out to the main road and make my way to the parkway where I could access the parking lot.The trail is short (0.2 mile), uphill and rocky. I recommend boots that are slip resistant as the rocks on the trial can get slippery.When you near the top of the trail, you ll see a part on the path where a bench is. (There are a few benches along the way for those that may need to take it slow) I read in reviews to go left for a more magnificent view. However, I went to the right and still found incredible beauty. (See photos)I sat on the summit for about three hours, taking in the beauty of the Autumn foliage and journaling. Family s and groups came and went.I then headed to a recommended restaurant close by for a delicious breakfast at Tartan Restaurant (separate review).

  Ashley Bunner
7 months ago
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  Cassandra Stilwell
a year ago
One of my favorite trails with the most gorgeous and peaceful view. I love to come by here whenever I m in the area. It takes about 15 mins to complete but you should definitely wear close toed shoes and step carefully- it is very shaded on the trail and the rocks are often slippery. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed and picked up after. No bathrooms or water on trail or at parking!

  Jeremiah Waters
7 months ago
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  Alisa Jeffries
a year ago
Stay on the trail to the very end. There is an overlook that s worth seeing before you reach the end, but the best sunrise spot is all the way back. Amazing sunrise spot. We had breakfast and watched the sunrise. It s a short hike with parking right at the trailhead.

  Chris Meisel
5 years ago
Had a great hike, it's well worth it. It's short and not strenuous. Our dog had fun, take water, please keep your dogs leashed, ours got growled at by a dog about twenty feet ahead of his owner. The view is phenomenal! Great place for a picnic spot!

  jo ledford
a month ago
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  Valerie Shcherbyna
5 months ago
Absolutely breathtaking views and very little people on thanksgiving day!Fees: No fees to enter or parkDog-friendliness: Saw plenty of dogs on leashes on the trail! Definitely dog friendly

  Donald Honour
a year ago
Nice easy trail the overlook was so beautiful I could only imagine the sunsets, and if you looking fir a 1100mile+ hike start on the mountain to sea trail and end in Outer Banks Nc

  Robin Shepard
5 years ago
Awesome trail. Almost completely shaded with trees and vegetation, except when you get to the top. Then you're standing on a massive, slanted boulder rock formation. If you have a serious fear of heights, you can stay near the trail base instead of walking out onto the boulder.The view is awesome, you can get neat panorama photos, and the temperature along the trail and at the top was several degrees cooler than in town. The trail itself has a fair climb with rocks, tree roots, and boulders to navigate. It's not super easy but also not very difficult, if you are just moving at a steady pace it may take 45 minutes to an hour to do the main trail. There are a few other branching trails available too, from about 1 to 13 miles.The dogs loved it, we loved it. Parking is off the Blue Ridge Parkway, right at the base of the trailhead, don't go down the residential dirt road, like we did, oops. There's a map for trail reference at the lot.

  Carolyn Wylupek
3 years ago
The sign when you started the trail promised a 1 mile hike, but it ended up being about 2.7 miles one way of some intense hiking. Quite a few times we wondered where the trail was and if we had ended up lost, and most of the trail is difficult to maneuver if you are in any way handicapped, whether it's a bad knee or it's hard to jump from one rock to another, you should know it's not an easy hike. HOWEVER, the view once we made it was simply gorgeous. I would not suggest bringing young children as the outlook is just a cliff face that drops off, no railings or anything to stop you from falling. All of that being said, again the view is amazing. We were up there when a storm was rolling in so the clouds were beautiful! If you're up for an adventure, I highly recommend!!

  Paul Stallings
2 years ago
Great stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a short hike to awesome views. The hike is a short 15-25 minutes. Mostly stone steps with a somewhat level gravel walking path at times. Trail is completely shaded until you arrive at top of rock formations. Beautiful trees, flowers and bushes line the trail. We found it fun exploring the many side trails. You will not be disappointed!

  T. Nash Weimer
a year ago
Wonderful vista's everywhere. Good hiking trails. Bring a hiking stick if you are going on most trails. Some are easy while others will get your heart pumping.

  Ahmad Ayub
3 years ago
Absolutely amazing view. I think it s one of the best mountaintop views I ve seen just because of the countless rolling green hills. The sunset also looked beautiful from here. Highly recommend, I plan on going back.

  Rich Carroll Music
2 months ago
Absolutely stunning, the North Carolina Mountains are Beautiful

  Mahantesh Paramaj
2 years ago
This is one of the easy trek/hike place for awesome views . Couple of things to keep in mind1. If you don t find parking in parking lot no worries, you can park in adjacent road to parking lot ( behind the beacon heights sign board)2. During rainy season make sure you wear shoes with nice grips as it will be too much slippery3. There are 2 views at the top just don t miss it4. You can see good fall colors there and nice place to relax on top

  Kirstin Morgan
2 years ago
The trail itself is short and much less steep than Rough Ridge, but still with phenomenal views. Better for kids with more rock space at the top too. I like to link it with parts of the Tanawha Trail to make it a longer out and back trail.

  Tru Moments LLC
9 months ago
Did a photoshoot and absolutely fell in love. The hike is super short and the view is just fantastic!

  Caleb Klugherz
a year ago
Beautiful view and wonderful hike. It is quite a short distance from the parking area, and even those who struggle to hike can make this a part of their bucket list to complete.

  David C
2 years ago
Beautiful flat rock out-cropping to wander over or just sit on to take in the eastern views, across ridges upon ridges of forested terrain. (The rock face drops off steeply, so be mindful to keep children or pets back from that area. Dropped items tend to disappear off the slope too, so staying back, on the flatter parts is recommended.) Accessible by a fairly short easy-to-moderate, somewhat rocky trail.

  Danny Goode (GoodePhoto)
2 years ago
Not a bad hike, just be careful. Very interesting trees and rocks. Fantastic view at the top!

  John J
3 years ago
After a short 10 to 15 minute hike you reach the summit of Beacon Heights and understand why you made the journey. The views are worth it and if you're lucky enough to have the place to yourself it can be deeply meditative. You'll find peace with yourself and the rest of the world around you. Don't we alll need that?

  B
3 years ago
This was a phenomenal trail. It was short (only 1,400 feet according to the sign), but was a little challenging for some due to the fact that it was completely frozen solid. Even with that though, we managed to climb it without an issue and with children.One very important caution though... if you have kids that like to goof around and be dangerous, this lookout is the wrong place to take them. There is a HUGE drop-off and no railing. Use extreme caution with anyone that is not sure-footed.

  Michael S
a year ago
A short, .25-mile trail that is steep but rewarding. The views from the top are some of the best in the area.

  CD Spiva
a year ago
Reminded me of Hanging Rock. Similar view. Shorter climb, though. Intermediate. Some rock scrambling. Not too bad, though, and only 0.2 miles up. Pretty crowded, though.

  Thomas Hargrove
a year ago
Stunning view from both overlooks. Short 30min hike, less than 0.5 miles. Highly recommend going for a sunrise/sunset view.

  Kyrie Swann
6 months ago
Short hike to 2 wonderful lookout spots.

  David Shisler
5 months ago
Wow! So very beautiful! It's worth stopping to take a peek.