Hawksbill Crag/Whitaker Point — Attraction in Huntsville

Went during the winter so all the leaves have dropped or are brown. It’s a different kind of beauty. The sunset and views were still lovely. The gps told me that it would be a 2.5 hour drive. I think it was closer to 3 due to how winding the road was. It is a long drive on Hwy 23 “the pig trail” with hairpin turns. Then there was 8-9 miles on a dirt road that is very narrow. The dirt road is very bumpy and there are many blind corners and hills where you suddenly have to get over for oncoming vehicles. I would recommend a 4 wheel drive vehicle or one you don’t care as much about.

Google maps tries to take people to the wrong location and you will find yourself on a private driveway with a no trespassing sign on the gate. There is a 3-4 car parking area 0.25 miles before that before the turn onto the private drive and that is the parking and trailhead.

The hike is moderately easy going downhill first and then back uphill, then hiking along the cliffs for a short ways. The hike was about 3 miles and we stopped to take pictures several times. It took us about two hours.

It gets dark out on the trail about an hour earlier than actual “sundown” and that dirt road is pretty bad in the dark. I also lost cell service for the last part of the drive and hike. This was fine until I was trying to drive home and there were several forks in the dirt road that you have to remember which way since the gps is “offline”

It is definitely worth the trouble for the amazing views but next time I will definitely leave earlier to have more time and not feel rushed by the oncoming...

A very challenging 1.5 mile approx out to the crag and 1.5 miles back to the trail head. The 6 miles of county road from AR 21 to the trail head are steep, crooked and spots have loose gravel. I had to put my Tacoma in 4x4 because I was not getting good traction in 2x4. At the trail head, there is a small parking lot on the left side of the road. The beginning of the trail to the crag is on this side of the road. Just across from the parking lot is a sign with the trail map on it. Not a very good map in my opinion. There are trails on each side of the map sign. These trails Do Not lead to the crag. I made the mistake of taking one of these trails thinking I was headed to the crag. Got about a mile down and met a very friendly and helpful young man and lady. They also thought they were on the right trail as well. We hiked back to the parking lot and another young man pointed us to the right trail. The hike itself can be strenuous with loose rocks, big tree roots and fallen trees in the middle of the trail. Going to the crag is mostly downhill or level. Going back is mostly uphill. There are signs along the trail warning hikers to be aware of the cliffs and to watch your steps. You will be hiking a couple feet away from cliffs as you get closer to the crag. Very beautiful scenery along the trail. Don't forget to take water to drink and don't feel like a lesser hiker if you need to stop to rest, especially on the uphill climb back to...

This place is absolutely stunning!

As a lifetime Arkansas resident and native, it's hard not to want to show this off. The trail is not exactly well marked, but AllTrails has a great guide. I wouldn't really suggest this trail for small children. Most of this is bluffside, and the overlooks aren't really safe for most adults, let alone children. The trail is also super steep in some spaces and quite rocky. Bring tracking poles and wear supportive shoes. Water it pretty essential here.

I did knock one star for one reason... Whoever is in charge of maintaining the trail isn't doing a great job. There's trash, toilet paper, a diaper, and even a rag all along the second half of the trail. It is poorly marked, and even the trailhead can be hard to find if you don't know what you're looking for. The information station is mostly fallen down papers and unreadable maps with graffiti and spider webs littering the posts that hold it up.

IF YOU DRIVE A SMALL CAR!!!! Please be careful on the road to the trail. It's completely dirt and is pretty steep and washed out in many places with ruts and potholes along the entire 4 mile stretch. If you have bad tires, this wouldn't be a good...