Name: Art Loeb Trail
Rating: 4.4

Conditions

All Clear 3 days ago

Mostly Dry - Puddles here and there but a lot of the trails seem to be along natural run off. Nothing uncommon. Great hiking conditions! History

Getting forecast...

“One of the longest and more difficult trails in NC; this also ranks as one of the most popular.”

— Zane Ray

Driving Directions GPX File

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers

Bear canisters are required for all backcountry camping. No campfires in the Shining Rock Wilderness

Overview

Taken in its entirely, the 30+ mile Art Loeb Trail traverses many significant peaks in North Carolina, which provides ample places to stop to take in the panoramic views. The trail begins with a long and, at times, steep incline at first, but quickly begins a gently rolling descent to the end point.

Many turn this trail into a multi-day trip, but be aware of other trail users who break the trail into segments for day use.

Description

Although one of the longest and more difficult trails in North Carolina, the 30.1-mile Art Loeb Trail still ranks as one of the more popular routes in the area. And no wonder, traveling mainly along peaks and ridges, the trail offers many outstanding panoramic views along the way.

Along its route the Art Loeb Trail traverses several significant peaks, including Black Balsam Knob (6214 feet), Tennant Mountain (6040 feet) and Pilot Mountain (5072 feet). The trail also skirts the base of Cold Mountain which was made famous by the novel and Hollywood film.

Many runners use the Art Loeb for extended backpacking trips, while others use shorter sections for day runs, or use connecting trails to form several outstanding loop runs. Most of the trail is overlapped by the Mountains-to-the Sea Trail which is blazed with 3-inch white dots.

This trail is commonly divided into four separate sections, and more information about the individual sections can be found here:

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Pisgah National Forest, Pisgah Ranger District

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.5 from 26 votes

#1

in Avery Creek

#141

Overall

4.5 from 26 votes

5 Star		58%
4 Star		31%
3 Star		12%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Rankings

1,662 Views Last Month

17,070 Since Sep 22, 2015

Intermediate/Difficult

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		4%
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		50%
		38%
		8%

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Photos

Pilot Mountain on the Art Loeb Trail

The scenic view from the Art Loeb Trail.

Expansive views across the Smoky Mountains from…

Enjoy expansive, verdant views from the Art Loe…

View of Davidson River

Trail along the Davidson River

Watch out for this sign on Art Loeb for the start

Fall frost atop Black Balsam Knob

Get lost on the Art Loeb Trail.

Heavy snow bends the boughs across the trail

31.1 Miles 50.1 Kilometers 81% Runnable	7,578' 2,310 m Ascent -6,409' -1,954 m Descent
9% Avg Grade (5°) 66% Max Grade (33°)	6,194' 1,888 m High 2,138' 652 m Low

Art Loeb Trail

31.1 Miles 50.1 Kilometers

81%

7,578' 2,310 m

-6,409' -1,954 m

9%

66%

6,194' 1,888 m

2,138' 652 m

Shared By Zane Ray

Conditions

“One of the longest and more difficult trails in NC; this also ranks as one of the most popular.”

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers

Overview

Description

Contacts

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Trail Ratings

#1

#141

#1

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#141

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