In July 2026, my son and I hiked on the Herbert Hawkes Trail during a stay on Lake Willoughby. This 2-hour hike has many pluses. First, it has great views of the South Beach area and a glimpse of the north side of the lake. Second, driving up the CCC road saves a lot of time. The access point is directly across from Route 5A from the Mt. Pisgah South Trail entrance. Keep going past the parking lot to access the CCC Road which steadily climbs up a narrow road. Third, you will only need to hike about 2 hours round-trip with an 800 foot elevation gain.
The first 0.4 miles involve a steep climb. However, once you reach the "T" intersection, go to the right which leads to a flat walk for 0.6 miles until you reach the East Outlook (see the "Vista" sign) and the North Outlook (a more hidden trail to the left of the "Vista" sign) and a downhill walk for 0.1 miles. The views are pretty but you will not see the entire lake from the North Outlook.
Please note the small parking lot off the CCC Road has only 8 spaces available. Overall, if you seek a gentle hiking alternative to Mt. Pisgah (800 feet vs. 1,700 feet elevation gain and only have 2 hours available vs. a 3 to 4 hour commitment to climb Mt. Pisgah), I would recommend trying the Herbert Hawkes trail! read more