An awesome hike for all ages!

Ask any local hiker what their favorite hikes are and Black Balsam Knob will be in the Top 3! Located off of the Blue Ridge Parkway about an hour South of Asheville, Black Balsam Knob is a perfect day hike. With many trail options that vary in length and difficulty, there is a route for every ability. The youngest independent walker I have taken up Black Balsam with zero difficulties was 4 years old, and we regularly hike it with our toddler in the Deuter Kid Carrier hiking pack. 

To get to Black Balsam head South on the Parkway, about a mile past the popular Graveyard Fields you’ll see a paved road turning right (around mm 420). Hang a right and follow it for about a mile, you’ll see cars parked on the side of the road and this is where you’ll park and begin. The trailhead will be on the right side of the road and is marked as the Art Loeb Trail. 

The first little bit of the trail is wooded, but once you get out of the forest you’ll immediately be greeted with views that will only get better. The trail is quite rocky and steep in parts, but there are plenty of places to take a break and take in the views along the way up. The summit of Black Balsam will be reached in about a mile. For young children, this is usually far enough and at this point, you’ll turn around and head back to the car the way you came. The summit of Black Balsam has tons of spots to spread out a blanket and have a picnic, so plan to spend some time up there exploring the bald! 

If you’re up for a loop you’ll want to follow the trail across the bald (a left turn from the rocky summit and trail marking sign). Towards the back of the bald, there are two ways to descend. For young children track left where the trail forks. This will take you on a slightly longer but easier route down the back of Balsam. For older kids or teens you can track right for a shorter but steeper descent. Both trails will meet up at the base of Black Balsam. Hang a left at the fork and follow this trail to Ivestor Gap. Ivestor is a wide-level road grade, you can’t miss it, hang a left when you reach it. In about a mile you will end up at the Sam’s Knob parking lot, which is on the end of the paved road you parked on. Follow the road about a 1/2mi back to your car to complete your loop. This will be just over 3.5miles, with the last 1.5 miles being an easy walk back. 

If you are hiking in the late summer be on the lookout for some delicious mountain blueberries. The bushes line the trails (especially Ivestor) and blueberry season is by far the busiest few weeks on the trail.  There is also a tapped Spring on Ivestor right before the gate near Sam’s Knob parking. Fill up your water bottles with some ice-cold, fresh mountain spring water! 

There is usually ample parking along the road and in the lot, but I have seen it get busy enough during blueberries that it can get scarce. Arrive early to guarantee you’ll have no problems! Primitive bathrooms are located in the Sams Knob parking but users beware, they are not known for their cleanliness. If bathroom facilities are required before the hike your best bet is to swing by the Graveyard Fields facilities or Mt Pisgah’s General Store on your drive in. These two are much cleaner!

Please note the address on the map is the Blue Ridge Visitor Center in Asheville. The hike doesn’t have an address but the mile marker is noted above.