Ever since I started hiking, I’ve learned one thing: you don’t need a whole weekend to reset. A quick escape into the woods will do the job. Last Saturday, I left West York at around 4 PM (to avoid the day’s heat) and an hour later I was standing on a rocky ledge at Hawk Rock Overlook, 20 minutes north of Harrisburg, watching the Susquehanna Valley blur into gold. It’s one of those short-but-satisfying hikes that delivers the views that are worth the effort.
Getting There From York County, PA
I started my trip from West York and took I-83 North. It’s a straightforward drive until you hit the Harrisburg area, then switch to US-322 West toward Duncannon. The road winds along the river for a bit, which is a nice preview of the views you’ll get later. Once in Duncannon, I followed signs for the Appalachian Trail access and parked my car at the Appalachian Trail starting point.
Here’s a heads-up: the main Hawk Rock Trail parking lot is bigger and sits right by the official trailhead, but my Google Maps routed me to a different spot labeled “Appalachian Trail Access”. That detour added about 0.3 extra miles to my hike, not a big deal, but worth knowing so you can plan accordingly.
Hawk Rock Overlook Trail
The hike itself is short, but don’t get confused with it being easy. Depending on where you start your hike from (Appalachian Trail Access or Hawk Rock Trail Access), expect roughly 1.5–2.5 miles with a steady climb and some rough rocky sections. I found this hike moderate in difficulty and took me a little over an hour to complete the out-and-back hike.
When I reached the overlook, it was already golden hour, and the views of the Susquehanna River and the surrounding ridges were truly majestic. The layers of farmland, river bends, and distant hills made my hiking efforts worthwhile. The view is why people come: Hawk Rock gives you a sweeping overlook over the river corridor and the town below.
Appalachian Trail Section
The hike to Hawk Rock Overlook follows a slice of the legendary Appalachian Trail, a 2,190-mile trail that runs through 14 states from Georgia to Maine. This stretch is about 2.7 miles out-and-back with an elevation gain of roughly 700 feet, and it’s popular enough that you’ll likely see a mix of day hikers and thru-hikers along the way.
One of the key features of this section isn’t just the overlook itself, but the landscape it reveals. From Hawk Rock, you can clearly see a gap in the Blue Mountain Ridge where the Susquehanna River slices straight through. Geologists call this a water gap, and this particular one, the Susquehanna Water Gap, is a textbook example of how rivers can carve their way through entire mountain ridges over millions of years.
Quick Tips for Hikers
- Parking: Park at Hawk Rock parking lot, instead of the Appalachian Trail trailhead.
- Timing: Sunset at Hawk Rock is incredible. An evening hike is recommended.
- Trail Length: Around 2.5 miles total, depending on your route.
- Gear: Water, light snacks, sturdy shoes, and a light jacket. Valley breezes can be cooler than expected.
- Safety: Keep an eye on daylight. Even with golden hour views, darkness comes quickly in the woods.
Hawk Rock isn’t the hardest hike you’ll do, but it’s one of those trails that packs a lot into a short distance, big views, a taste of the Appalachian Trail, and a little geology lesson from Mother Nature herself. Whether you’re chasing a quick evening adventure or checking another spot off your Pennsylvania trail list, this overlook is worth the climb. Just don’t forget your water… and maybe a camera, because you’ll want proof you were up there.
If you are looking for more Hike recommendations around York/Harrisburg/Lancaster areas, check out this blog here.
