Art Loeb Hiking Trail: With just over 30 miles of incredible hiking, the Art Loeb Trail is renowned as one of the most beautiful and difficult hikes of its length in the state. The trail is named for Art Loeb, an avid hiker and activist from the Carolina Mountain Club who had a fond appreciation for the Appalachian Mountains and especially the Black Balsam Range. The challenging trail takes on the rugged peaks and ridges in the rugged mountains between Brevard and Candler as it crosses over the Blue Ridge Parkway and a series of 6,000+ foot peaks while offering a bounty of astounding long-range views. While some say the trail begins near the Davidson River valley before heading up along some of the highest peaks in the area – including the unique Shining Rock and the peak of the infamous Cold Mountain; we highly recommend starting at the Daniel Boone Scout Camp.
Hikes from Brevard up to the Parkway can be brutal, with more than 6000 feet of elevation gain in the first 20 miles of hiking alone. The trail is best experienced as an extended backpacking trip that usually takes three days, but hikers should be advised that this is one trail that necessitates a map and good orienteering skills, as more than a few hikers have found themselves deeply lost in the rugged wilderness.
Directions from Asheville: Merge onto I-240 W/US-70 W. Keep right at the fork to continue on I-240 W/I-26 E, follow signs for Interstate 240 W/Interstate 26 E/Interstate 40. Take exit 31B to merge onto I-40 W towardCanton/Knoxville. Take exit 37 toward E Canton. Turn left onto Wiggins Rd. Turn right onto US-19 S/US-23 S. Follow NC-110 S/Pisgah Dr and NC-215 S to Little East Fork Rd and park just past the entrance to the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp at the trailhead.
