What is the most hammock friendly trail in Linville Gorge?

[Ridge_Dog]

I am looking for the most hammock friendly trail in Linville Gorge. I will be driving from Ashville and staying two nights in the Gorge. I am also looking for good views as well.

[MarkThompson]

The views from Hawksbill Mountain are amazing, and the hike up is about 1 1/5 miles or so to the top. There are a few places to hang on the actual top of the mountain, but there are plenty just before you get to the top on a side trail. I'll explain more if you're interested.

From Hawksbill Mountain you see Wiseman's View and Table Rock Mountain. Wiseman's View you can drive up to (but no "official" camping from the actual view), but plenty of official camp spots along the forest road drive up to it. I'm not sure if you can officially camp on Table Rock Mountain either, but I believe the Mountains To Sea Trail (MST) runs by there and you can camp on it just about anywhere you'd like (someone correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I've been doing).

I'm sure you can camp up at Wiseman's View, but again, it's not official. I've seen lots of fire pits up there so it's definitely been done before.

Hawksbills Mountain View of Table Rock Mountain and the Gorge
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Hawksbill Looking Down on the Gorge
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Wiseman's View of Table Rock Mountain
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Wiseman's View Walk to the Edge
https://youtu.be/Gbtq4C81IGY

View from a campsite on the way up to Wiseman's View
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Babel Tower
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Overlook from trail near Babel Tower
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[swink1]

Check in to permit to camp in wilderness area this time of year on weekends they can write you a ticket without one.

[WV]

The campsite at the Hawksbill parking lot has lots of good hang spots, and it's outside the wilderness area in the NF so you don't need a permit there. The hike up Hawksbill is a good first day activity and the view is tremendous (weather permitting). After that, I'm not sure. The gorge is deep, which means steep slopes, few good campsites, and trees falling a lot, especially in wet weather (like now). Best place for info is linvillegorge.net.

[Ridge_Dog]

Thanks for the link. I think Hawksbill mountain looks like a sure bet.

[brianb]

Don't forget the other side of the Gorge. WV's suggestion is a good one, spend some time on linvillegorge.net

[Hawk-eye]

Just a head's up ... camping in the Wiseman's View immediate area is not allowed.