Take on this tough 7-mile out-and-back hike to a unique giant bolder with breathtaking 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Blackrock Mountain sits at 5,802 feet which makes it one of the highest peaks of the Plott Balsam Mountain Range! This is an incredible hike you don’t want to miss if you are near Sylva, North Carolina.
Table of Contents
Know Before You Go
Pinnacle Park
Pinnacle Park is a 1,529-acre tract of land owned by the town of Sylva. It was previously used as the watershed (an area of land that channels rainfall, snowmelt, and runoff into a common body of water). In 1991, Pinnacle Park was leased to the Pinnacle Park Foundation for developing hiking trails.
Permit Required (free)
The hiking trails and backcountry camp sites within Pinnacle Park are free, however, you must obtain a permit. One can be filled out and turned in at the trailhead kiosk. Another way to complete a permit is fill one out on your phone. Scan the QR code via this link to complete the permit form.
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
Blackrock Mountain via West Fork Trail & Assault Trail
Location: North of Sylva, NC along the Plott Balsam mountain range within Pinnacle Park.
Length & Elevation Gain: It’s about 7 miles with an elevation gain of 3,000 feet.
Hiking Time: It takes an average of 4 to 6 hours to complete this hike.
Route Type: This is an out-and-back hike.
Difficulty Rating: Hard to strenuous depending on fitness level.
Terrain: This trail consists of dirt and lots of gravel/rocks.
Pet-friendly? Yes! Your furry friend must be a on leash.
How to Get to the Trailhead
The trailhead to Blackrock Mountain is located at the end of Fisher Creek Road in Pinnacle Park just north of Sylva, NC. The gravel parking area is fairly small and does not have any facilities.
Put this address in Google maps: Pinnacle Park Parking, North Carolina 28779
Trail Directions
Begin your hike at the Pinnacle Park trailhead. Take a look at the wooden kiosk for important information. Don’t forget to fill out a permit form if you have not already!
Walk around a metal gate and follow the trail looking for purple and gold trail markers. You will soon reach a small spillway dam on Fisher Creek. This is the remains of Sylva’s former watershed.
Hope your calf muscles are ready for this uphill climb! In about 0.3 miles, you will reach the first trail sign. Take a left to get onto the West Fork Trail.
The grueling climb continues. The rocky terrain adds to the challenge! At the 0.5-mile mark, you will see a giant rock with a fissure down the middle. It’s a really neat rock to stop and look at.
Continue following the West Fork Trail through a few small creek crossings. At about the 2-mile mark, you will reach a trail junction. There is a sign to help guide you. Take a right to get onto the trail towards Blackrock Mountain.
You are now hiking on the Assault Trail (according to this map). But the trail signs don’t mention Assault Trail (at least not the ones we saw). Just follow the trail signs and they will guide you to Blackrock Mountain.
Continue on the trail until you reach another trail sign pointing you towards Blackrock Mountain with only 0.6 miles left to go. This portion of the trail becomes extremely steep!
On this section, the trail markers (which are now ribbons on the trees) can be difficult to follow (and find). Just keep heading straight up the mountain!
There is another trail with an arrow pointing to the left. Don’t go that way. Continue straight! We honestly have no idea where that trail goes, but we do know that you should go straight to reach Blackrock Mountain.
You will eventually reach a giant bolder with a purple and gold trail marker painted on it. You will have to do a bit of rock scrambling to reach the top but it’s nothing too extreme.
You made it! Soak in the amazing 360-degree views and take a break. It is a grueling climb, but worth every step!
Return back to the trailhead by simply retracing your steps. If you want to add a few more miles, take a right at the big intersection to reach The Pinnacle. There will be a trail sign to help guide you!
ADVENTURE JOURNAL: My husband and I hiked both Blackrock Mountain and The Pinnacle in one day and it was intense! Talk about a quad burner! Read all about it here.
Congrats, you did it! 🥳
Alternate Route
Blackrock Mountain via Blackrock Mountain Trail
This route begins near Waterrock Knob at the Browning Knob Overlook. My husband and I have not done this route yet but seems pretty straight forward. According to AllTrails, this route to Blackrock Mountain is about 5 miles out-and-back with nearly 1,500 feet of elevation gain. It’s also considered a tough hike.
We Vlogged Our Experience!
More Great Hikes in Western NC
The Pinnacle – Take on this challenging 3.5-mile (one-way) hike uphill to a knobby, craggy peak that towers over the town of Sylva. Sitting at 5,008 feet in elevation, The Pinnacle offers stunning panoramic views of Sylva, Plott Balsam mountain range, and the Great Smoky Mountains.
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!
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