All Locations > N Carolina > 2. Northern Mou… > Linville Gorge

Hawksbill Mtn Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Hawksbill Mtn

Lower Hawksbill 18 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 18

Main Wall 5 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 5

Middle Hawksbill 15 / 19 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 29

Elevation:	3,500 ft
GPS:	35.913, -81.886 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	124,575 total · 755/month
Shared By:	gneiss pirate on Dec 7, 2007 · Updates
Admins:	Aaron Parlier, Steve Lineberry Page Updates (admin only)

Access Issue: 2021 seasonal raptor closure (January 15th-August 15th) Details

Shortoff Mountain South: All routes between and including C.O and Paradigm Shift are closed.

Shortoff Mountain North: All climbing routes, cliff rim, and campsites within the red band marked on the map are closed to entry. No foot traffic or camping above or below the cliff in this section. Contact the USFS for more details: 828 652 2144.

NC Wall/Apricot Buttress/The Camel: On the NC Wall, all routes between and including Tightrope and Bumblebee Buttress are closed. Apricot Buttress and The Camel are closed.

Bynum Bluff: All routes are closed.

Description

Some of the best climbing in the gorge is located here.
With both hard trad and sport, you can not walk away without a good pump. There are three distinct areas. Upper, middle and lower. Each area has classics that should not be missed.

Getting There

Linville Gorge. Park at the Hawksbill trailhead. Hike up the mtn until you reach a sharp lefthand uphill turn. For upper and middle, go up the summit trail for about 5 minutes. Locate a climbers trail on the right. Follow this to the upper wall. Continue down the trail about 400 yards to reach middle. To reach lower, pass the uphill turn and make an immediate right. Follow this trail down for about 5 minutes.

52 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Hawksbill Mtn

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 40 ● Green Wall Trad, Sport Middle Hawksbill
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 52 ● Lichen Worms Trad, Sport Middle Hawksbill
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 31 ● Winged Mongrel Trad Main Wall
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 56 ● If You Bolt It They Will Come Sport Middle Hawksbill
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 28 ● Lichen Surprise Sport Middle Hawksbill
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b 32 ● Jeep's Chimney Trad Lower Hawksbill
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 60 ● Lost in Space Trad 3 pitches Main Wall
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b 36 ● Star Trekin' Trad 2 pitches Main Wall
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b 30 ● No Free Lunch Trad, Sport Middle Hawksbill
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 28 ● The Fat Lady Trad 2 pitches Lower Hawksbill
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 43 ● Pseudo Hardmen Sport Middle Hawksbill
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c 29 ● Encore Trad Lower Hawksbill
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a 17 ● Phantom of the Opera Trad Lower Hawksbill
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a 23 ● King of Kings Trad 2 pitches Lower Hawksbill
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b 23 ● Line of Fire Sport Middle Hawksbill