Art Loeb Trail
~3 days · 29.5 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Art Loeb Trail is known for
A rugged roughly 30 mile point-to-point traverse across the crest of North Carolina's Pisgah region, running between the Davidson River area and the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp near Cold Mountain. It climbs over the open, grassy balds of Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain, with long ridge-line views before descending toward Cold Mountain. The trail is named for a local hiker and is one of the classic backpacking routes in Pisgah National Forest.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 2,192 ft to 6,165 ft over 29.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 10.3 mi · 35%
- Downhill 11.9 mi · 41%
- Flat 7.1 mi · 24%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Art Loeb Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Art Loeb Trail scores 36/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Best season & permits
Season: Spring through fall; the high balds are exposed to wind and storms, and late fall through winter can bring ice and cold on the ridge.
Permits: No permit required to hike in Pisgah National Forest; standard dispersed-camping rules apply.
Official trail & permit info
Always confirm current conditions, closures, and permit rules with the managing authority before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Art Loeb Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Art Loeb Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 29.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Art Loeb Trail?
The Art Loeb Trail climbs roughly 8,924 ft total — about 303 ft per mile, topping out near 6,181 ft.
When is the best time to hike the Art Loeb Trail?
Spring through fall; the high balds are exposed to wind and storms, and late fall through winter can bring ice and cold on the ridge.
Do you need a permit for the Art Loeb Trail?
No permit required to hike in Pisgah National Forest; standard dispersed-camping rules apply.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.