Looking Glass Rock (Upper Summit)

The Pisgah National Forest was established in 1916 and was one of the first national forests in the eastern United States. The land originally included 86,700 acres that were part of the Biltmore Estate, but were sold to the federal government in 1914 by Edith Vanderbilt. Today the Pisgah National Forest covers 512,758 acres of mountainous terrain in the southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina – including parts of the Blue Ridge and Great Balsam Mountains. Elevations reach over 6,000 feet and include some of the highest mountains in the eastern United States.  

Looking Glass Rock is a massive piece of exposed granite that rises from the valley floor at 2310 feet to the summit at 3969 feet in the Pisgah National Forest. The name reflects the appearance of the mountain when water freezes on the exposed granite and reflects the sun like a mirror. This hike to Looking Glass Rock is located near Brevard, North Carolina and is a favorite destination of many hikers and backpackers. It is often crowded on weekends, so get there early for a parking spot or plan to hike during the week.