Looking Glass Rock, a landmark in the southern Appalachians, is a pluton formed by underground volcanic activity. A pluton (or Igneous Intrusive Rock) is a great mass of molten rock that has hardened under the surface of the earth but after millennia of natural erosion effects, the pluton becomes exposed to the sunlight and such plutons become what we can see now.

This mountain is named for the way its granite face reflects the sunshine. The rock rises from the floor of the valley up to an elevation of nearly 4000 feet. There are trails which lead to the top of the mountain and these trails are accessed from Forest Service roads 475 and 475B. The climb to the top is on a 3.1 miles long trai, which is moderate to strenuous and rises about 1700 feet, where there are panoramic views.

Looking Glass Rock is a popular rock climbing destination, which mountain has free climbing, multi-pitch and aid climbing. Too, there are dozens of routes to the top of the mountain which traverse the South Face, North Face, Nose Area, Sun Wall, Invisible Wall and Hidden Wall.

The mountain is located within Pisgah National Forest about 5.5 miles (8.9 km) northwest of Brevard and 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Asheville.