Black Balsam Knob

Black Balsam Knob rises to 6,214 feet, one of the highest peaks in the eastern United States accessible by a short hike. The trail crosses open grass and heath balds where 360-degree views reveal the surrounding peaks of the Shining Rock Wilderness and Pisgah National Forest. The stark beauty of dead tree snags—remnants of the Fraser fir forest killed by the balsam woolly adelgid—adds dramatic character to the landscape. The Art Loeb Trail continues across Tennent Mountain and beyond for those seeking longer adventures. This high-country terrain feels almost alpine, with cool temperatures, wind-swept vegetation, and a sense of vast mountain wilderness. The accessibility from the Blue Ridge Parkway makes this one of Western North Carolina’s most popular destinations.