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Trip Planner:   USA  /  North Carolina  /  North Carolina Mountains  /  Asheville  /  Black Balsam Knob

Black Balsam Knob, Asheville

4.9
#6 of 6 in Nature in Asheville
Mountain · Hidden Gem · Nature / Park
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Black Balsam Knob, also known as Black Balsam Bald, is in the Pisgah National Forest southwest of Asheville, North Carolina, near milepost 420 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is the second highest mountain in the Great Balsam Mountains. The Great Balsams are within the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are part of the Appalachian Mountains. It is the 23rd highest of the 40 mountains in North Carolina over 6000 feet.
The top of the mountain is a grassy bald that affords a panoramic view. The origin of grassy balds in southern Haywood county is a result of extensive clear-cut logging and locomotive fires in 1925 and 1942. These fires burned deep down into the mineral-rich topsoil slowing reforestation or stopping it altogether. Examples of this can also be found on many of its neighboring peaks and ridges. These features contribute to the area's popularity, but foot traffic also causes some ecological damage to the ecosystem. The Art Loeb Trail follows the grassy ridge of Black Balsam Knob.

Visible peaks from Black Balsam Knob include:

Shining Rock in the Shining Rock Wilderness (3 miles northeast)

Looking Glass Rock (5 miles southeast)

Cold Mountain (6 miles north)

Mount Pisgah (9.5 miles northeast)

Mount Mitchell. On exceptionally clear days, Mount Mitchell, the highest point in the Eastern United States, is visible 45 miles north east.
Use our Asheville online visit planner to arrange your visit to Black Balsam Knob and other attractions in Asheville.
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Black Balsam Knob reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 5.0
19 reviews
Google
4.8
TripAdvisor
  • We were visiting Asheville for a day to take care of some work tasks in the morning. So of course, our minds wandered to how could we get outside and spend the afternoon. One of the places we ran... 
    We were visiting Asheville for a day to take care of some work tasks in the morning. So of course, our minds wandered to how could we get outside and spend the afternoon. One of the places we ran...  more »
  • How did I miss this hike, after so many years of visiting Western NC? I highly recommend it. The hike is short and a mildly challenging but the views are breathtaking. On our visit, the Turks Cap... 
    How did I miss this hike, after so many years of visiting Western NC? I highly recommend it. The hike is short and a mildly challenging but the views are breathtaking. On our visit, the Turks Cap...  more »
Google
  • What a breathtakingly beautiful view from atop the Knob! It's worth the hike. During peak season finding parking may be difficult (recommend going during the week, or arriving early). We parked at the very end of the road and took the trail through the balsam patch up to the top. Enjoy 360-views from the top. You can backcountry camp on the knob as well. After you finish this hike, scoot on down the road to Graveyard Fields and hike to the waterfall ... another beautiful hike.
  • Beautiful hike. We did the loop and went to Tennent Mountain also. Recommend Alltrails app to do the loop and not get lost. Not great signage on this trail. Very easy to get lost but we loved it!

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