Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain Hiking Guide
Above Graveyard Fields, the forest simply stops. Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain are two treeless balds over 6,000 feet, and this loop links them along the Art Loeb Trail and the old Ivestor Gap road for about five miles of almost continuous open views. It feels more like a Scottish ridge than the Southern Appalachians — which is wonderful on a clear day and serious on a stormy one.
The Loop
From the end of Black Balsam Road, the Art Loeb Spur climbs quickly onto the open ridge and over Black Balsam Knob at 6,214 feet, where a plaque honours Art Loeb, the hiker the trail is named for. The route continues along the Art Loeb Trail to Tennent Mountain, then returns on the Ivestor Gap Trail. The loop is about five miles with around 800 feet of gain, starting from roughly 5,650 feet. The descent off Tennent is rutted and rocky; take it slowly.
Weather on the Balds
There is no tree cover for most of this hike, which means no shelter. Summer afternoons bring fast-building thunderstorms, and on a bald you are the tallest thing around; plan to be off the ridge by early afternoon in July and August. Low cloud can roll in quickly and turn the open ridge into a disorienting white space. Temperatures run 15 to 20 degrees below Asheville, and wind is common, so pack layers regardless of the forecast in town.
Access
The trailhead is at the end of Forest Service Road 816 (Black Balsam Road), which leaves the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 420.2. The Parkway section between mileposts 382 and 420 reopened in August 2025 after Hurricane Helene. FS 816 and this high stretch of the Parkway commonly close in winter, so check both the NPS road-status page and the Pisgah National Forest alerts before driving up. Parking is free but the lots are wildly popular, especially on autumn weekends.
Wilderness Next Door
The loop brushes the edge of the Shining Rock Wilderness, where trails are unblazed and group size is capped at ten. If you wander beyond the loop, carry a map and know how to use it. Anyone camping overnight in this area must use a bear-resistant canister. Late summer brings ripe blueberries and blackberries on the balds, and the bears know it.
Practicalities
There is no water on the ridge; carry what you need. Leashed dogs are allowed. The open terrain makes this a good hike for sunrise and sunset, but carry a headlamp for the walk off in the dark. Fall colour usually arrives here early, so the ridge peaks before Asheville itself does.
Hiking tips for Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain
- Be off the open balds by early afternoon in summer — thunderstorms build fast and there is no cover.
- Check both the Parkway road status and FS 816 before driving; both commonly close in winter.
- Take the rutted, rocky descent off Tennent Mountain slowly, especially when wet.
- Carry a map if you go beyond the loop; the adjacent Shining Rock Wilderness is unblazed.
- Pack a warm layer even on hot days — the ridge runs 15 to 20 degrees cooler than Asheville.
Nearby trails to explore
- Graveyard Fields Loop
- Looking Glass Rock Trail
- Mount Pisgah Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
The Black Balsam balds are one of the best ridge walks in the East, and safer with a partner watching the sky. Use TrailMates to find Asheville hikers for the Art Loeb loop. Download the TrailMates app to connect.