Sitting at 5,720 feet at its peak, Devil’s Courthouse is a prominent landmark along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Hike nearly half a mile with 280 feet of elevation gain to reach an observation point on Devil’s Courthouse. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views as far as the eye can see! On a clear sunny day, you can see all the way to South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Although this hike is short, it is quite challenging as it is a continuous uphill climb to the top. The views are worth every step! The trail itself takes you through a forest of balsam fir and rare, high-altitude plants. The hike to Devil’s Courthouse has a lot to offer and a must-see spot on your road trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Table of Contents
Know Before You Go
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile road that takes you through the Blue Ridge Mountains starting from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and ending in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The drive along the Parkway includes scenic overlooks, beautiful landscapes with diverse plants and wildlife, and amazing hikes.
Since the Blue Ridge Parkway is located at higher elevation, it can experience frequent closures during the winter. Sometimes closures happen in the spring and fall as well. Stay up to date on road closures along the Parkway here.
Where did Devil’s Courthouse get its name?
There are two reasons as to how the Devil’s Courthouse got its name. The first one is the devilish-looking appearance of the rock formation. This can, somewhat clearly, be seen from the parking area of Devil’s Courthouse.
The second reason (likely due to appearance of the rock formation) is from many old folk tales. Some believe the devil held court in a cave located within the mountain. One of the Cherokee legends says the cave is a private dancing chamber and dwelling place of the slant-eyed giant, Judaculla.
Endangered & Sensitive Species
Several signs along the Devil’s Courthouse Trail warns visitors against hiking off trail and crossing the barrier at the observation point. This is because there are rare plant species that need to be protected. Some of which are alpine plants from the last ice age!
Also, Peregrine falcons make their nests on the cliffs of Devil’s Courthouse. Unfortunately, many falcons have abandoned their nests due to people climbing over the barrier at the observation point and invading their habitat.
To help maintain the natural environment and prevent further damage, please stay on the designated trail and do not cross over the barrier at the observation point of Devil’s Courthouse.
Leave No Trace
Before you go, please make sure you understand the Leave No Trace principles. These seven principles help reduce our environmental impact from outdoor recreational activities. Nature is meant to be enjoyed and respected. 🌱
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
About the Trail
Devil’s Courthouse Trail
Location: Devil’s Courthouse is located in the Pisgah National Forest and along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.
Length & Elevation Gain: It’s about 0.8 miles with an elevation gain of 280 feet.
Hiking Time: It takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete this hike.
Route Type: This is an out-and-back hike.
Difficulty Rating: Moderate to hard depending on fitness level.
Terrain: This trail is mostly paved but has dirt/rocks/stone steps towards the end.
Pet-friendly? Yes! Your furry friend must be a on leash.
How to Get to the Trailhead
The trailhead to Devil’s Courthouse is located off the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 422.4. The parking area is fairly big but can fill up fast. Make sure to arrive early to beat the crowds!
Put this address in Google maps: Devil’s Courthouse, Black Balsam Knob, Sam’s Knob Trailhead, Balsam Grove, NC 28708
Trail Directions
The hike begins from the overlook parking area off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Follow a paved path towards the road and take a right. Before reaching the tunnel, take a right into a forest of balsam fir.
This is where the uphill trek begins. The trail remains paved for most of the hike.
The pavement eventually ends but the climb continues up a set of stone steps. Then the trail becomes very rocky. Be careful with your footing!
Finally, you have reached the stone observation point of Devil’s Courthouse! Take in the amazing panoramic views of Pisgah National Forest and three surrounding states (South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee). It was worth the climb, right?
To return to the parking area, simply retrace your steps. Congrats, you did it! 🥳
Avoid the Crowds
Devil’s Courthouse is a popular spot and is both family-friendly and pet-friendly. Most people of all ages will be able to complete this hike despite the steep climb to the observation point. Therefore, it can get crowded! The observation point is only but so big. To avoid the crowds, follow these tips below!
Get there early! You can start hiking to Devil’s Courthouse at any time. We recommend arriving as early as possible. Most people start coming into the parking area around 8-10 AM. Beat the crowd and get there before everyone else!
Go on a weekday! The most popular days people hike to Devil’s Courthouse is on the weekends and most days during the summer. Kids are out of school and families are on vacation. The weekdays are the best days to go to avoid crowds.
Go in the offseason! This is the time of year when fewer people are traveling. Usually around late fall through the winter to early spring when the weather is not very ideal for outdoor activities. Be aware, the Blue Ridge Parkway might be closed during the winter (depending on the weather conditions).
Get a late start! Rather than hiking early in the morning, you can choose to hike later in the afternoon before sunset to avoid the crowds. Devil’s Courthouse is said to be an amazing spot to watch sunset, so you might be sharing the overlook with more people than expected. It will be worth it to catch a beautiful sunset!
READ HERE: 15 Ways to Avoid Crowds in the Great Outdoors
We Vlogged Our Experience!
More Hikes Along the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC
There are a bunch of awesome hikes to do along the Blue Ridge Parkway! Below is a list of some of our personal favorites located in North Carolina.
Black Balsam Knob & Tennent Mountain – Hike along on one of the most scenic trails in North Carolina – Art Loeb Trail. This fairly short hike takes you through a picturesque landscape and summits two mountains with 360-degree views!
Graveyard Fields – hike 3 miles roundtrip through Graveyard Fields. Walk along wooden boardwalks and, in the springtime, see beautifully bloomed flowers. This hike offers views of a lower falls and, the more popular, upper falls.
Waterrock Knob – take a short hike (0.5 miles one-way) to this very popular spot right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s a perfect place to watch sunset!
Skinny Dip Falls – take a short hike to (what used to be) one of the most popular waterfalls along the Blue Ridge Parkway. After a tropical storm in 2021, Skinny Dip Falls has been completely changed. It’s a short, easy hike to reach the falls and still worth checking out!
Enjoyed this post? Pin for later!
