Hike to Chimney Tops Overlook
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The rocky, rooted trail surface combined with steep grades makes twisted ankles a real risk, especially on the way down when tired legs get sloppy. Take your time on the descent and watch your foot placement.
The summit area beyond the overlook is permanently closed due to unstable rock from the 2016 wildfires. The barriers are there for a reason — people have been seriously injured ignoring them.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Arrive before 8 AM or after 3 PM — the trailhead parking lot on Newfound Gap Road is notoriously small and fills completely by mid-morning on weekends and any decent-weather day from May through October. The park now offers shuttle service, and honestly, it's worth using.
The stone stairs in the upper section get slick when wet. Trail runners with aggressive tread or lightweight hiking boots with ankle support will serve you far better than anything with a flat sole. Trekking poles earn their weight here on the descent.
The overlook itself is the endpoint now — the old scramble route to the actual Chimney Tops summit has been closed since the 2016 fires due to unstable rock. Don't try to bypass the barriers. The overlook view is genuinely spectacular, and the best light hits the pinnacles in the morning when the sun is behind you.
Photos
Kenzie Connor Photo
