Art Loeb Trail

Art Loeb Trail
The Art Loeb Trail across four 6,000 foot mountains. The view is from Black Balsam Knob, then the trail goes over the bald of Tennent Mountain. In the distance the trail is on the west slope of Shining Rock. To the left of Shining Rock is Cold Mountain.
Length	30.1 mi (48.4 km)
Location	Pisgah National Forest, Shining Rock Wilderness, North Carolina, United States
Trailheads	Davidson River Campground, Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp
Use	Hiking
Elevation
Highest point	Black Balsam Knob, 6,214 ft (1,894 m)
Lowest point	Davidson River

The Art Loeb Trail is a 30.1-mile (48.4 km) trail located in Pisgah National Forest in Western North Carolina. The Northern Terminus is at the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp in Haywood County, while the trail's southern Terminus is located near the Davidson River Campground, near Brevard, in Transylvania County. Along the way, the trail traverses several significant peaks, including Black Balsam Knob (6,214 ft), Tennent Mountain (6040 ft) and Pilot Mountain (5095 ft). The trail also passes the base of Cold Mountain, made famous by the novel and film.

National Geographic Adventure listed the trail as one of the thirty best North American hikes. They praised the views offered on the high Appalachian Balds, the challenging climbs, and the trail's diverse landscape.

Originally part of the Cherokee Nation, the area was heavily logged in the early part of the 20th century.

The Art Loeb Trail was dedicated on November 9, 1969. It was named after an avid hiker and Carolina Mountain Club member, who resided in Brevard. Mr. Loeb often explored and cared for the area.

Extensive logging and locomotive fires in 1925 and 1942 are the cause for the expansive, open views around Black Balsam Knob.

There is a variety of birds, reptiles and mammals in the area. Deer, rattlesnakes, rabbits and bobcats may be spotted by the watchful hiker. While most of the spruce and fir was removed by logging, there are areas where these trees are encountered on the trail. There are significant differences in the landscape from the southern end of the trail compared to the higher elevations.