Hiking Project Logo

Art Loeb Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult
 4.6 (58) RECOMMENDED ROUTE
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …West and Mountains
  4. …Pisgah National Forest
  5. Avery Creek
Previous Next

“One of the longest and more difficult trails in NC; this also ranks as one of the most popular. ”

Zane Ray
Your Rating:      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add to Favorites · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

31.1

Miles

50.1

KM

Point to Point

6,194' 1,888 m

High

2,138' 652 m

Low

7,578' 2,310 m

Up

6,409' 1,954 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

66%

Max Grade (33°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers

Bear canisters are required for all backcountry camping. No campfires in the Shining Rock Wilderness

Overview

Taken in its entirely, the 30+ mile Art Loeb Trail traverses many significant peaks in North Carolina, which provides ample places to stop to take in the panoramic views. The trail begins with a long and, at times, steep incline at first, but quickly begins a gently rolling descent to the end point.

Many turn this trail into a multi-day trip, but be aware of other trail users who break the trail into segments for day use.

Description

Although one of the longest and more difficult trails in North Carolina, the 30.1-mile Art Loeb Trail still ranks as one of the more popular routes in the area. And no wonder, traveling mainly along peaks and ridges, the trail offers many outstanding panoramic views along the way.

Along its route the Art Loeb Trail traverses several significant peaks, including Black Balsam Knob (6214 feet), Tennant Mountain (6040 feet) and Pilot Mountain (5072 feet). The trail also skirts the base of Cold Mountain which was made famous by the novel and Hollywood film.

Many hikers use the Art Loeb for extended backpacking trips, while others use shorter sections for day hikes, or use connecting trails to form several outstanding loop hikes. Most of the trail is overlapped by the Mountains-to-the Sea Trail which is blazed with 3-inch white dots.

This trail is commonly divided into four separate sections, and more information about the individual sections can be found here:

Flora & Fauna

Rhododendrons, mountains laurels, oak and maple trees. Many species of wildflowers.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Pisgah National Forest, Pisgah Ranger District

Shared By:

Zane Ray with improvements by Jean-Claude Linossi
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 58 votes

#1

in Avery Creek

#91

Overall
  4.6 from 58 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
28%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Avery Creek

#3

in North Carolina

#91

Overall
364 Views Last Month
52,601 Since Sep 22, 2015
Difficult
0%
0%
2%
4%
84%
10%
Add a Photo

Photos

Pilot Mountain on the Art Loeb Trail
Jul 25, 2017 near Brevard, NC
Fall frost atop Black Balsam Knob
Jul 25, 2017 near West Ca…, NC
Get lost on the Art Loeb Trail.
May 19, 2017 near Brevard, NC
Heavy snow bends the boughs across the trail
Aug 19, 2017 near Brevard, NC
Keep heading down to the left as you pass the giant quartz rocks
Jul 5, 2019 near West Ca…, NC
The scenic view from the Art Loeb Trail.
Nov 2, 2016 near West Ca…, NC

3 Comments

Sort by: Oldest
Newest Oldest Popular

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Update Conditions
Unknown See History
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Oct 27, 2021
Harley Ann
Jun 18, 2021
John Fuda
short out and back from the road at Camp Daniel Boone. Awesome trail, want to go back for a 10-12 mile day hike. 3.1mi — 1h 14m
Jun 15, 2021
Branden OHara
Jun 14, 2021
Greg Olsen
Yo-yo from Davidson River Campground, 3.5 days total 60mi
May 12, 2021
Tal Paschal
Nov 24, 2020
Adam B
2mi
Nov 23, 2020
Adam B
5mi
Nov 22, 2020
Harrison Perusek
3 Day trip. Camped at Butter Gap night 1. Day 2 went butter gap to the small top between Grassy Cove and Flower Knob. Day 3 finished at CDB. Sectio… 30mi

Nearby Recommended Routes