Black Balsam Knob is the hike that makes people fall in love with the Blue Ridge. A short side road off the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 420 leads to a trailhead in the Pisgah National Forest high country, where the Art Loeb Trail climbs out of a spruce-and-rhododendron fringe onto an open, grassy bald — a treeless mountaintop of grass, blueberry and rock outcrops more than 6,000 feet up, with views in every direction across the Shining Rock Wilderness, Graveyard Fields and ridge after ridge of the southern Appalachians. The classic outing is short: about two miles round trip with roughly 400 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate because the footing is rocky and eroded in places. Keep going along the Art Loeb Trail and the walk continues over neighboring Tennent Mountain, and the nearby Sam Knob trail makes a fine second hike from the same road. Because the summit is bald, there is little shade and no shelter: it is gloriously open, very windy and much colder than Asheville, and fog can roll in and erase the views (and your sense of direction) quickly. Late summer turns the slopes into a blueberry patch, and October paints them red and gold. Helene and access, honestly: the Parkway south of Asheville was closed for repairs after the storm; continuous access from Asheville to the southern terminus at Cherokee was restored in August 2025, so the trailhead is reachable again. The Parkway at this elevation still closes in winter for ice and snow, and on fall weekends the roadside parking fills early. Fit: outdoors travelers, couples looking for a sunrise or sunset summit, families with sure-footed kids, and first-timers who want the single most memorable short hike near Asheville.
The balds of this area owe their open character partly to history: logging and catastrophic fires in the early 20th century stripped the high ridges, and the grass-and-shrub balds that resulted have become one of the most beloved landscapes in the region. The Art Loeb Trail, which crosses the summit, runs some 30 miles through Pisgah National Forest and is one of North Carolina's great long trails; the stretch over Black Balsam and Tennent is its most famous.
Hike craft
Arrive early (or on a weekday) to find parking along Black Balsam Road and to catch the clearest air; carry a wind shell and warm layer even in summer; stay on the main trail to limit erosion; and check the forecast — lightning on an exposed bald is a serious hazard. For a longer day, continue to Tennent Mountain and return, or combine with the Graveyard Fields waterfalls a few miles back up the Parkway.
Practicals and fit
Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 420.2, then about 0.7 mile on Black Balsam Road; roughly an hour from Asheville. Free, no facilities at the trailhead. Check the NPS Parkway road-status page before driving, especially from late fall through spring. Fit: outdoors lovers, couples, sturdy families and first-timers.
What to expect
The experience
A free, moderate hike from a Parkway side road onto an open grassy bald above 6,000 feet: about two miles round trip with roughly 400 feet of gain, with options to extend along the Art Loeb Trail.
Best time
Clear mornings for views and parking; late summer for blueberries; October for color. Avoid stormy days — the summit is fully exposed.
How long
About 1.5 hours for the summit out-and-back; three or more to continue to Tennent Mountain.
Tips
Arrive early and park only where permitted on Black Balsam Road. Bring wind and rain layers. Stay on the main trail. Check the Parkway road status — high-elevation sections close for ice in winter.
Quick picks
- Best for
- The most memorable short summit hike near Asheville.
- Families
- Good for sure-footed kids — short, but rocky and very exposed to wind.
- Couples
- A sunrise or sunset on the bald is unforgettable.
- Pair with
- Graveyard Fields waterfalls on the Parkway, or the Cradle of Forestry via US 276.
- Time needed
- Half a day with the drive.
Good questions
Can I reach Black Balsam after Hurricane Helene?+
Yes. The NPS restored continuous Parkway access from Asheville (milepost 382) to Cherokee in August 2025, which includes the Black Balsam turnoff at milepost 420. Check the road-status page before driving, especially in winter.
How hard is the hike?+
Moderate. It is about two miles round trip with about 400 feet of elevation gain, on rocky, eroded tread.
Where do I park?+
Along Black Balsam Road, about 0.7 mile off the Parkway at milepost 420.2. Spaces fill early on weekends, especially in fall.
What should I bring?+
Wind and rain layers, water and good shoes. The bald has no shade or shelter and is much colder and windier than Asheville.
Is it good for sunrise or sunset?+
Yes — the open summit offers 360-degree views, but bring a headlamp and watch the weather.
