Adventure Projects is hiring an Android engineer to join us in Boulder, CO
Trail Run Project Logo

Art Loeb Trail

 4.5 (24)
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …West and Mountains
  4. …Pisgah National Forest
  5. Shining Rock Wilderness Area
Google Map

31.1 Miles 50.1 Kilometers


81%

Runnable

6,563' 2,000 m

Ascent

-7,726' -2,355 m

Descent

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

68%

Max Grade (34°)

6,196' 1,889 m

High

2,138' 652 m

Low

Shared By Zane Ray

Conditions

Minor Issues 81 days ago
Some muddy spots throughout the trail. Heavy rains lately. 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 DirectionsGPX File

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors

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 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.
Bear canisters are required for all backcountry camping.

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 (5095 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

You & This Featured Run


Rate Quality


   Clear Rating

Rate Difficulty

Share This Run

Your Check-Ins

Check-Ins

none
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 24 votes

#1

in Shining Rock Wilderness Area

#134

Overall
  4.5 from 24 votes
5 Star
58%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
8%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Rankings

#1

in Shining Rock Wildernes…

#4

in North Carolina

#134

Overall
1,474 Views Last Month
13,611 Since Sep 22, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
5%
0%
48%
38%
10%
Add a Photo

Photos

Pilot Mountain on the Art Loeb Trail
Pilot Mountain on the Art Loeb Trail
 6
The scenic view from the Art Loeb Trail.
The scenic view from the Art Loeb Trail.
 4
Expansive views across the Smoky Mountains from along the Art Loeb Trail
Expansive views across the Smoky Mountains from…
 5
Enjoy expansive, verdant views from the Art Loeb Trail.
Enjoy expansive, verdant views from the Art Loe…
 6
Watch out for this sign on Art Loeb for the start
Watch out for this sign on Art Loeb for the start
 3
Fall frost atop Black Balsam Knob
Fall frost atop Black Balsam Knob
 7

0 Comments

Nearby Runs

Out House
9.1 mi 14.6 km
Mysterious Cabin Loop
 2
Cullowhee, NC
View from the top of Hemphill Bald. Roughly 5500'.
13.8 mi 22.2 km
Hemphill Bald Loop
 3
Maggie Valley, NC
Triple Falls at DuPont State Forest.
3.1 mi 5.0 km
DuPont State Forest Trip…
 3
Brevard, NC
Enjoy this covered bridge on Buck Forest Road above High Falls at DuPont State Forest.
15.3 mi 24.6 km
Yeti or Not 25K Trail Race
 3
Etowah, NC

Nearby Gems

gem

John Rock

11
Brevard, NC

Trail Run Project is part of the REI Co-op family,
where a life outdoors is a life well lived.

Shop REI Running