A steep roller coaster of a hike will take you from the crowded Craggy Gardens Picnic Area to a massive view from the more secluded Hawkbill Rock just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you want a shorter route, begin where the trail crosses Stoney Fork Road on the way to the Picnic Area, at the 3-way split with the gated road.
This route begins at the far end of the Picnic Area parking lot. You can take the trail at the sign for Craggy Gardens and then turn right onto the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, or look for the trailhead about 7-8 parking spaces to the right of the Craggy Gardens Trail. From here, turn right on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, following it downhill to cross the road you drove in on.
Crossing the road, continue on the trail next to the metal gate. Pass a small field on the left then shortly afterwards stay straight when the Mountains-to-Sea Trail splits off to the left at the signed intersection. For the next half-mile, you'll ascend over 400 feet to the summit of Snowball Mountain. Other than a minor view on a side trail, there's nothing to see here. While there are several side trails, they are easy to ignore. The only notable exception is on the way down Snowball Mountain a side trail splits to the left. Look for the yellow blaze and stay right.
Once you begin to ascend again, you're almost there. This is the steepest section of trail, gaining at a rate of over 1800 feet per mile. Luckily, it's short. On the way up, a couple views open to the left on short trails. Soon you'll come to an almost vertical rock face. It looks menacing, but the rock is very rough providing good grip and small ledges to climb up. If wet, be very careful. At the top of this obstacle, look to the left for a side trail to Hawkbill Rock. You can see if from the trail.
Climbing down to the lower ledge of Hawkbill Rock, you'll get over 180-degree views to the south towards the Blue Ridge Parkway. The most prominent mountain in your view is Snowball Mountain that you just summited. Try not to think about hiking back up it. Soak up the sun then make your way back the same way you came.