Outdoors: Hike to Hawksbill Crag offers lunch with a view

FILE — Hawksbill Crag is shown in this file photo.
FILE — Hawksbill Crag is shown in this file photo.

One of Northwest Arkansas' top lunch spots comes with a fabulous view, but there are no tables or chairs, no kitchen or wait staff.

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NWA Democrat-Gazette

The hike to Hawksbill Crag on Feb. 6 reveals stunning views of the Buffalo River wilderness.

An apt name might be Cafe at the Crag.

The hike to Hawksbill Crag in the Buffalo River country is a fine outing on its own. The route takes explorers to one of the most photographed landmarks in Arkansas. The crag juts out from a bluff like a turtle's head or a hawk's bill.

Reaching the promontory with a picnic lunch in your pack is even better.

Hawksbill Crag is one of those treks that 99 percent of the hikers in Arkansas have done. It's an easy 1.5 mile walk through the forest, mostly downhill, to the crag.

The trail is well worn and easy to follow. Views from the crag into the wilderness beyond are stunning. It had been years since we'd visited Hawksbill Crag, so on a sunny Thursday we grabbed a hiking stick, camera and stashed a picnic lunch in the day pack.

The drive to Hawksbill Crag is part of the adventure. It's a scenic trip down Arkansas 21 from Kingston into Boxley Valley and the Buffalo River country. Elk grazed in the meadows between Ponca and Boxley when we arrived at midmorning. Elk often retreat into the forest by this hour. Maybe the cool day kept them grazing.

To reach the trailhead, follow Arkansas 21 south to the Buffalo River. Turn right on gravel Cave Mountain Road just before the bridge over the river.

From here, the route goes up, up, then up some more before leveling off high above the Buffalo. The gravel road is a good one, just really steep the first mile. It's a 6.7-mile drive on the gravel road to the trailhead. Parking is on the right side of the road at the sign.

It's peaceful here at the trailhead -- unless there's a hiker with a mean dog. The pooch was on a long leash but an elastic one. Barking and baring its teeth, the dog just about got me.

"He won't bite," assured the woman at the other end of the leash. I couldn't get on the trail fast enough.

Passing by a little waterfall area tells hikers they're getting close to the crag. From here the trail goes left and hugs the bluff line. Long vistas into the forest start to unfold. Follow the bluff and soon, there it is. Hawksbill Crag, unmistakable in its grandeur.

It's good to photograph the crag with hikers on it to show scale. I was the only lone visitor to the crag on this day. A turkey sandwich never tasted so good, outdoors in the crisp air. From this hard-rock patio, I gazed at miles of wilderness. No wonder Hawksbill Crag is one of the state's most popular hikes.

On the walk out I passed three other hikers on their way in. The gal with the mean dog? Never saw her. She'd evidently finished her hike when I arrived for mine.

Maybe her pooch was after my turkey sandwich.

Flip Putthoff can be reached by email at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAFlip

Sports on 02/26/2015

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