Looking Glass Rock Trail | A Big Granite Overlook in Pisgah

Our Favorite Western NC Mountain Hikes | Asheville Elevated Living

Looking Glass Rock is easy to spot from a distance and gives you a very different perspective when you hike up it. Most of the work happens under the trees before the trail opens onto granite and a wide view of the surrounding mountains.

Looking Glass Rock Trail main trail photo — Photos via AllTrails and its hiking community.

Hike at a glance

Pisgah National Forest near Brevard
6 miles | 1,712 feet of gain | Moderate on AllTrails | 3.5 to 4 hours | Out-and-back

What the hike is like

Start at the Looking Glass Rock trailhead off Forest Road 475. Follow the switchbacks up through Pisgah and continue beyond the wooded high point to the usual overlook. Give yourself room on the descent for roots, loose ground and passing hikers.

AllTrails calls the saved route moderate, while Explore Asheville rates its slightly longer track hard. With more than 1,700 feet of climbing on the saved route, plan on a sustained uphill effort even if you hike regularly.

Before you go

The trailhead lot is small, so an early start helps. Bring water and eat your snack well back from the sloping granite edge. Wet or icy rock can be especially slippery. Enjoy the view from a stable spot.