The Appalachian Trail is the most famous hiking trail in the U.S., extending 2,189 miles from Georgia to Maine. 185 miles of the Appalachian Trail meanders through Marysville and Duncannon with Duncannon having an entrance to the Appalachian Trail.
There are a lot of great hiking trails that end at overlooks throughout the state. And one of the best is the trail to Hawk Rock Overlook along the Appalachian Trail in Duncannon, PA.
The hike up Hawk Rock is only a little over a mile, but gains over 700 feet in elevation and contains many large rocks, so it is certainly a bit difficult. The trail itself is quite easy to follow.
Along the way, be prepared to navigate some very rocky sections of the trail. In fact, you’re likely to fully understand why many Appalachian Trail hikers refer to Pennsylvania as “Rocksylvania.”
Hawk Rock Overlook is a large rock outcropping at the top of the mountain, and the view from the top is simply stunning. Spread out below you is the borough of Duncannon and the winding Susquehanna River. From this point, you can see north along the river for many miles, including the confluence of the Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers.
The beauty of the view and relatively easy trip to the top has made Hawk Rock Overlook a popular place for locals and one of the most famous views along the Appalachian Trail. Unfortunately, this popularity has also brought trash and graffiti to the overlook, in addition to a large number of hikers.
Fortunately, there is a secret overlook nearby that provides much better views. However, you have to know how to find it because the trail can be difficult to find and there are no signs indicating the way. From Cove Mountain Overlook, you’ll have an expansive view of the Susquehanna River and Duncannon. While it is similar to the view from Hawk Rock Overlook in many regards, it is much, much better in my opinion, though there is a bit of noise from the highway and train tracks below.
Overall, the hike to Hawk Rock Overlook and Cove Mountain is definitely one of the best and most rewarding in the Harrisburg area.
