North Carolina is famous for its largest city Charlotte, which attracted almost 30 million visitors in 2019. It has such landmarks as the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Carowinds, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and Discovery Place, among others. However, the Tarheel State is more than just this urban jungle.
The state is also home to the Appalachian Mountains, which, alongside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway, make it the perfect hangout spot for lovers of outdoor adventures. Hikers are in for a treat because North Carolina’s western part is teeming with wonders. Trekkers visiting the area will be welcomed by the lush Appalachian forests, the diverse and tourist-favorite Smokies, and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, the longest linear park in the country.
Another famous North Carolina town is Asheville, a place of exploration, thanks to its location near the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s home to the Pisgah National Forest, where adventurers can find the favorite hiking destination of Looking Glass Rock. The monolith looks like it’s impossible to trek, but it’s among the most famous hiking destinations in the region.
The Looking Glass Rock is known for its outcrops that reflect light, thus the name. What better way to witness such magnificence? To be on the monolith all the while enjoying the mountain views.
The Hike
The Looking Glass Rock is an icon, with its exposed rock face seemingly enticing hikers to check it out. Be they hikers or climbers, this monolith offers travelers the chance to test their skills while enjoying the scenery of Pisgah National Forest.
The 6.4-mile hike takes up to five hours to finish (round-trip) and starts from the trailhead on Fish Hatchery Road. Hemlock trees will welcome trekkers along the trail in preparation for the uphill climb beside a stream. Hikers will then cross a footbridge that will lead them to a ridge.
Even first-time hikers need not worry because the trail is in good condition, as it should be because the rock is a popular attraction. However, as with any hikes, travelers should be careful, especially near steep climbs and drop-offs. Trekkers will also climb into a cove where small cascades can be seen. Upstream, tourists will walk on a hillside that will lead them to switchbacks through the open woods. After passing through narrow switchbacks and along a ridge, hikers will be welcomed by a large Carolina hemlock, where a 30-foot drop-off is nearby. This marks the ascend on steep rocks that surround the mountain, leading tourists to a curved trail into a ridge to a campsite, which is the halfway point of the hike.
When trekkers notice the presence of mountain laurel shrubs and rhododendrons, it means they are slowly getting higher on the ridge. As the hikers navigate more switchbacks, they will cross large slabs until they reach the Max Wilson Rock, which is used as a helipad during emergencies.
From that large flat rock slab, the final push atop the mountain will challenge trekkers, and after meandering through steep tracks, they will reach the humble summit. From there, hikers should visit the major cliffs where they can drink in all the sights and sounds of Pisgah Ridge, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Black Balsam Mountain.
This igneous rock does not even reach 4,000 feet, but it's the best spot to be with North Carolina’s most majestic mountain views. Atop the Looking Glass Rock, the state motto stands true: To be rather than to seem.
How About A Side Trip?
After the descent and if hikers still want to explore the nearby area, they are lucky because Pisgah National Forest is home to other stunning attractions. Trekkers can further challenge their legs along the Pink Beds Trail at the Cradle of Forestry, “an ultra-scenic” loop where they can check out bogs, grassy meadows, wildflowers, and pristine creeks. Another trail to explore includes the one that leads to John Rock, while swimmers can enjoy the waters of Sliding Rock. Nearby falls can also be visited, like the Log Hollow, Cove Creek, Slick Rock, Moore Cove, Daniel Ridge, and Looking Glass. An outdoor adventure in North Carolina is unmatched, whether travelers are exploring rocks or taking a dip.
The Best Spot To View The Reflection
The Looking Glass Rock is open year-round, so whatever the season, trekkers can conquer its trail. Aside from the 360-degree views of the mountainscape, this monolith is also known for its rockface that reflects sunshine. The whiteside granite makes such a phenomenon possible.
When it's rainy, the rockface collects water, thereby reflecting light. When winter comes, and there’s frozen water on the outcrops, hikers would easily realize why this pluton monolith is named the Looking Glass Rock. The reflection, plus the stunning views of the greenery, make for a satisfying hike.
The Viewpoint
Those who are not fans of hiking but still want to view the magnificence of the Looking Glass Rock should fret not. They can head to the Looking Glass Rock Overlook at milepost 417 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Brevard. It’s the best place to observe why the rock is named such and why it’s a popular hiking destination. Maybe, upon taking in the expansive view of the monolith and its surrounding, they’ll be tempted to hike it.
Whether adventurers want to hike or climb this imposing North Carolina attraction or casual tourists just want to snap a photo at the overlook, they are afforded a sightseeing adventure that’s one for the books. The attraction looks good, after all.