Black Balsam Knob via Art Loeb Trail

Haywood County, North Carolina

5.0/5
based on 9 reviews

Details

Distance

1.56 miles

Elevation Gain

305 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Alyssa Gregory

Pretty easy hike on the treeless balds gives beautiful views of surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains

The parking area for Black Balsam Knob is at mile marker 420.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's free to hike here.

Take the Art Loeb Trail a half mile until you reach the knob. Along the way you will be walking almost entirely on the bald which is a very pleasant experience. You feel like you're dancing through meadows and you can see the mountains all around you. There are a couple of large rock steps that I clumsily fell on and scraped my knees but the trail is pretty easy.

Make sure to bring sunscreen since you're not covered by trees most of the time. There's plenty of good flat areas to have a picnic near the top.

This adventure can be done year-round as long as you check the weather conditions in the winter.

CAMPING:
More wind-sheltered campsites are located closer the trailhead near the parking area. However, if the weather is pleasant or you don't midnd the wind, camping anywhere on Black Balsam Knob is permitted. Please note that if you camp in in the Shining Rock Wilderness, campfires are not permitted. Remember to bring your camp stove and always Leave No Trace. 

It can be 20 degrees cooler at the top as opposed to the valley, so bring appropriate layers.

POST ADVENTURE:

  • Zillicoah Beer Company - located in nearby Woodfin, NC about an hour from the trailhead. This place has world-class Lager. 
  • Malt Disney World (aka Sierra Nevada) in Mills River, NC also about an hour from the TH. The food here is great!
  • Smoke on BBQ - This drive-thru BBQ is located right in the town at 585 S Caldwell St Brevard, NC.  
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Black Balsam Knob via Art Loeb Trail Reviews

This place is hands down one of the best places for star gazing and photography.

Hike was beautiful & challenging enough for me! It was the highlight of our trip to the area. We couldn't get enough of the 360-degree views. It was very windy & cold at the top - so be more prepared than I was for that!

The section of the Art Loeb Trail that runs up to Black Balsam is by far and away my favorite place to camp in all of Western North Carolina. The views up top are unparalleled in both beauty and scope. While the trail can sometimes get crowded in the general vicinity of Black Balsam, if you continue on the Art Loeb trail for a while longer, you will begin to escape the crowds and find some more secluded yet equally beautiful campsites. As others have mentioned, the wind can be rather intense, so make sure you have stakes and rope to secure your tent at night. If the stars are out, prepare for some of the best stargazing in the Southeast. As of the last time I was there (2017), bear canisters were required for all campers, no matter how long your stay might be.

I hiked up here on a pretty rainy and foggy day so sadly I didn't get to see the amazing views. However, it was still absolutely beautiful with the fog settling everywhere. I'll be going back soon, though, to catch the panoramic views.

This hike easily packs some of the best views in all of the Appalachians in such a short distance. The summit of Black Balsam Knob offers 360-degree panoramic views that go as far into the mountains as the eyes can see. Great spot to watch both sunrise and sunset. There are some great tent sites on the trail too, but you just have to hope your tent is sturdy enough in case winds pick up.

This has got to be one of my favorite hikes I've ever done! The view was utterly astounding! Our GPS didn't take us to the right place so just keep driving on the parkway until you hit 420 and you'll see a sign. The trial is narrow and uphill, but once you're at the top it's unbelievable. HIGHLY recommend if you're in the area

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Tennent Mountain

Sam Knob and Flat Laurel Creek Loop

Graveyard Ridge Trail and Mountains to Sea Trail Loop

Lower Falls at Graveyard Fields

Graveyard Fields-Black Balsam Knob Circuit

Devil's Courthouse