Hike along on one of the most scenic trails in North Carolina – Art Loeb Trail. This fairly short hike takes you through a forest full of balsam fir and berry bushes and open fields of meadow grasses and wildflowers with panoramic views. The trail summits two mountains with the first being Black Balsam Knob, sitting at 6,214 feet, and Tennent Mountain, sitting at 6,040 feet.
Both summits offer incredible, 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Get there early to beat the crowds! This hike is extremely popular because it’s pet-friendly, family-friendly, offers amazing views, and is fairly short. Can’t beat that!
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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.
Overcrowding Issue
Black Balsam Knob and its neighbor, Sam’s Knob, are VERY popular trails. The first set of parking spaces for Black Balsam Knob are along the side of the road (actual paved parking spots), and the parking lot for Sam’s Knob is big. However, the parking spots for each hike fill up fast!
Due to the trails’ popularity, people will park wherever they want in order to hike to these mountains. I understand they’re beautiful trails with awesome views, but let’s not park on fragile vegetation on the side of the road.
If all the parking spaces for both hikes are completely full when you arrive, find another hike! There are other great hiking options nearby. Go do another short hike, such as Graveyard Fields or Skinny Dip Falls, then return to Black Balsam Knob (or Sam’s Knob) and see if a parking spot is now available.
The best way to assure you get a parking spot is to either hike early (around sunrise time) or late (around sunset time). My husband and I were very lucky to snag the last available parking spot when we hiked to Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain.
READ THIS: 15 Ways to Avoid Crowds in the Great Outdoors
When we finished that hike, we wanted to check out Sam’s Knob. Unfortunately, the parking lot was very full. Other cars were driving around in the parking lot trying to find a spot. We figured it was not worth it, so we left to find another hike.
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
Black Balsam Knob to Tennent Mountain via Art Loeb Trail
Location: Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain are located within the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina.
Length & Elevation Gain: It’s about 3.8 miles with an elevation gain of 800 feet.
Hiking Time: It takes an average of 2 to 3 hours to complete this hike.
Route Type: This is an out-and-back hike.
Difficulty Rating: Most people rate this hike as moderate (depending on fitness level).
Terrain: This trail has dirt/rocks/gravel and open grassy meadows.
Pet-friendly? Yes! Your furry friend must be a on leash.
How to Get to the Trailhead
The trailhead to Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain is located on Black Balsam Knob Road which is right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are multiple parking spaces available along the side of the road.
Put this address in Google maps: Art Loeb & Black Balsam Knob Trailhead, Black Balsam Knob Rd, Canton, NC 28716
DON’T FORGET to download offline maps since you likely will not have cellular service in this area!
Trail Directions
This hike begins at the trailhead right off the side of the road. You will be following the Art Loeb Trail the entire way. The beginning of this hike takes you through a forest of balsam fir and blackberry bushes.
The trail opens up as you leave the forest to a field of tall grass and wildflowers (if hiking in the spring/summer). The trail will be rocky for a little bit then turn into a dirt path.
Enjoy the panoramic views as you make your way towards Black Balsam Knob.
There will be a plaque at the summit of Black Balsam Knob honoring Arthur J. Loeb (the person this trail is named after). Take in the breathtaking views!
Ready to head towards Tennent Mountain? Continue following the Art Loeb Trail through dense vegetation of berry bushes and wildflowers.
The summit of Tennent Mountain has rocky outcrops, and the views are just as amazing! There is supposed to be a plaque at the summit of Tennant Mountain, but we didn’t see it.
We thoroughly enjoyed Tennent Mountain more because it was way less crowded. We basically blew past Black Balsam Knob because the crowds were insane. The crowds were almost nonexistent at Tennent Mountain. Yay!
Retrace your steps to return to the trailhead. Congrats, you did it! 🥳
Alternate Route
Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain Loop
Instead of completing the trail (as described above) as an out-and-back hike, you can continue hiking further along the trail for a 5-mile loop. Continue passed Tennent Mountain via the Art Loeb Trail then take a left onto Investor Gap Trail.
You can continue on the Investor Gap Trail until reaching Black Balsam Knob Road to return back to your vehicle. Or, to avoid walking along the road, take a left to get back onto Art Loeb Trail then a right to return back to the parking area.
Another option is to park at the Sam’s Knob parking area, hop onto the Art Loeb Trail then onto Investor Gap Trail to finish the loop back to the parking area.
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.
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 spot to watch sunset!
Devil’s Courthouse – hike this short, steep trail to one of the most prominent rock formations along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The observation point provides panoramic views as far as the eye can see!
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!
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