Black Mountain, NC is a respite from ever-popular Asheville and not too far down the road either! North Carolina is home to some of the best mountains, hikes, and views in the Appalachian Mountains, and locals and tourists alike flock there when the weather is good.
If you love the idea of hiking through North Carolina’s beautiful greenery, Black Mountain is a great middle-ground from more popular areas with some impressive hikes of its own.
While North Carolina has some high elevations and great ski towns, you can breathe easy here in Black Mountain, as it’s just over 2,400 feet in elevation. With easy access to the Pisgah National Forest, you’ll have your pick of hikes for all skill and interest levels, and you won’t need any special gear to tackle most of them (unless you really want to).
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Easy Hiking Trails Near Black Mountain, NC
1. Douglas M. Brock Park Loop
- Length: 0.6 miles
- Time Required: 15 minutes
- Distance from Black Mountain: 2 miles
This is the easiest hike on the list. If you’re a new hiker, hiking with young children, or just looking for a conveniently-located warmup trail, you’ll find this loop to your liking. This trail is also dog-friendly, so feel free to let your four-legged friends get some exercise as well. Note that this trail specifically is dog friendly, but not all of the adjoining trails are, so make sure you read the map carefully.
If you’re a disc golf fan, you’ll be walking right by the course, so get a few holes in after your morning walk! Hikers note the abundance of gravel here and recommend close-toed shoes as hiking sandals will pick up rocks like it’s their job on this trail.
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2. Lake Susan Walk
- Length: 0.3 miles
- Time Required: 10 minutes
- Distance from Black Mountain: 3 miles
This short walk is best if you’re staying just north of Black Mountain in nearby Montreat, NC. While a nice lakeside walk, most hikers won’t find this hike to be worth it on its own, considering it’s less than half a mile. That being said, if you want a warmup before you hit the Lookout Mountain Trailhead, then this will fit the bill perfectly. Serene and flat, this easy walk is a great warmup.
That isn’t to say that the Lake Susan Walk has no merit. If you don’t mind driving a few miles, it’s a tranquil, easy hike that’s suitable for the whole family. If you’re feeling up to it, include the nearby Montreat Gate Trail with the Lake Susan Walk, and you’ll end up with a hike of just over 2.5 miles.
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3. Big Berea Trail, Bull Creek Trail, and White Pine Loop
- Length: 1.8 miles
- Time Required: 45 miles
- Distance from Black Mountain: 9 miles
This mouthful of a trail can also just be referred to as the White Pine Loop (it’ll save some time). At just under two miles, this loop packs in a lot. The best part here is the fact that it’s a loop for sure – always something new to see the entire way! This is a popular trail, especially when the weather is good, so you’ll be sure to run into some other hikers if you head there at peak times.
At about a mile in, you’ll gain about 100 feet in elevation, but that’s the most strenuous part of this overall flat, shaded trail. If you’ve got family up for it, this trail is just long enough to be a workout without overloading even the newest of hikers.
4. Warren Wilson River Trail
- Length: 5.3 miles
- Time Required: 2 hours
- Distance from Black Mountain: 7 miles
If you’re willing to commit a bit of time to a hike, you’ll be treated to a two-hour riverside walk for your efforts. This out and back is never dull with the waterfront walking and the North Carolina tree cover to shade you throughout. If you want to bring your dog, you’ll need a leash here.
Do note that the trail narrows at times and occasionally is overgrown, though not enough to make this rated higher than “easy.”
You can take more than the estimated two hours if you bring a lunch and stop at any of the easy access points to the river. Sit down and enjoy a meal by the sights and sounds of the river!
5. Pisgah Point Lookout Trail
- Length: 7.2 miles
- Time Required: 3 hours and 15 minutes
- Distance from Black Mountain: 4 miles
Here’s the first entry from the Pisgah National Forest. It’s easily the longest of all the easy trails, but it’s worth the trip. If you want to plan your day around one easy hike on this list, this is the one.
You’ll have some elevation gain on the back half of this out and back, but nothing intense enough to give it a rating of “moderate.” Expect a slow, easy descent for the first half with a gradual ascent back out afterward.
Just under 1.5 miles in, you should have a good view of Bernard Mountain on your left if the weather is good. If you like, you can actually start the trail on the opposite end so you can hike the incline first and have an easy descent on the back half, though your best views will be towards the end of the hike instead of the beginning if you choose to do that.
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Moderate Black Mountain, NC Trails
6. Lookout Trail
- Length: 1.5 miles
- Time Required: 1 hour
- Distance from Black Mountain: 3 miles
This is the trail we mentioned earlier that you could hike after the Lake Susan Walk. One of the most popular moderate hikes around; expect plenty of friends around when you hike it. The first half offers some challenges and has a fairly consistent incline until you hit the peak of the trail. Of course, the silver lining is a nice, gradual hike back down.
Once you get around the top, there is a degree of difficulty to be aware of. You may have to do moderate scrambling to get to the peak, but the accomplishment is definitely worth it. Take your time at the top, take some photos, and catch your breath before heading back down.
7. Rattlesnake Mountain
- Length: 2.6 miles
- Time Required: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Distance from Black Mountain: 3 miles
Outside of just having a cool name, this hike definitely has some character. You’ll be gaining some elevation throughout the first half and have a couple of challenging spots, especially towards the top.
That being said, as long as you’re sure-footed and patient, this is a doable hike. You’ll have the added bonus of having fewer people than some of the more popular trails around, so you don’t have to rush.
Be aware that parking is limited here and can be difficult to find. Your best bet is to park at Anderson Auditorium and take a short walk to the trailhead. Some of the surrounding area is private property, so err on the side of walking a little further rather than having your day ruined by a parking ticket.
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8. Montreat Rainbow Trail, Toll Road, Lookout Mountain
- Length: 3.4 miles
- Time Required: 2 hours
- Distance from Black Mountain: 3 miles
You’ll either have great views or shade when hiking this trail. The dense shade will definitely be appreciated on warmer days, but you’ll still be treated to a handful of fantastic lookouts along the way.
Just over a mile in, Rainbow Mountain will be on your right. After that, Lookout Mountain and the Lookout Rocks viewpoint come at miles 2.7 and 2.8, respectively.
The best views are towards the end of this loop, but it’s worth going the intended way and saving them for last. If you were to take the trail backward, you’d have a solid climb up and find the views immediately, with a fairly steady descent for the rest of the trail.
You’re best off starting off with the slow ascent to warm up and properly appreciate the views at the end, though.
9. Shope Creek Road Loop
- Length: 2.1 miles
- Time Required: 1 hour
- Distance from Black Mountain: 13 miles
This short hike in the Pisgah National Forest is plenty of a challenge for the average hiker but nothing too strenuous. You’ll have a reasonably steady incline on the out portion to be treated to an easy descent on the way back.
Note that you gain about 400 feet of elevation on the way out, so while it’s steady, it’s still a workout. You may want trekking poles for the way back down if you aren’t fully confident in your footing.
You’ll get plenty of great creek views, though this trail can be slippery, especially after recent rains. Bring grippy, waterproof shoes if this hike is on your itinerary. Hikers often recommend taking this trail counterclockwise as the technical half is easier going up. Download a trail map ahead of time as markings on this trail can be sparse.
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10. Graybeard Trail
- Length: 8.8 miles
- Time Required: 5 hours
- Distance from Black Mountain: 4 miles
The Graybeard Trail is a must for any serious hiker visiting the Black Mountain, NC area. While definitely a challenge, any seasoned hiker should be able to tackle it without extreme levels of exertion.
Coming in at nearly nine miles, this trail is definitely an investment of your time but also a source of solid bragging rights when you finish. Because of that fact, this trail tends to be busy from March to October, so plan accordingly.
If you’ve got a dog up for the trail, this trek is dog-friendly, provided you have a leash. The first 1.5 miles or so of the trail (and the last 1.5 on the way back) are probably the hardest, but no part of the hike is a cakewalk. If you’re up for it, the wildflower views are incredible if you hike during the blooming season.
Strenuous Hikes Near Black Mountain, NC
11. West Ridge Trail to Little Piney
- Length: 4.1 miles
- Time Required: 3 hours
- Distance from Black Mountain: 3 miles
The bulk of the challenge here definitely lies in the first half of this loop trail. The significant majority of the 1,700 feet of elevation gained comes in the first two miles, so you’ll definitely want to make sure you’re up for the challenge before taking this hike on.
If you’re up for it, you won’t be the only adventurer looking to take on this trail. It’s popular from March to October, so expect crowds.
If you want to take a dog, there are sections where they’ll be allowed off-leash, but read the regulations carefully. If you choose to take this hike counterclockwise, you’ll have a bit of an easier time with easier elevation gains.
12. Big Piney Ridge Loop Trail to Forked Ridge Knob and Graybeard Mountain
- Length: 8.7 miles
- Time Required: 5 hours
- Distance from Black Mountain: 4 miles
A portion of the second mile of this hike actually connects with the West Ridge Trail, so you’ll be repeating a bit of your hike if you do both of them. You could, of course, string both of them together if you’re looking for a nearly 12-mile hike.
This hike is no joke, but if you’re up for it, you’ll have several great lookout points and mountains to enjoy.
Starting from the trailhead is the simplest way as you’ll get all the elevation gain in the first half and be able to enjoy the second half on relative cruise control. Some hikers looking for a challenge will start at Graybeard Mountain and have the elevation gain in the second half, so it is an option if you’re up for it.
Explore the Best Campgrounds in North Carolina
North Carolina is filled with limitless options for every type of outdoor enthusiast. Pitch a tent or hook up your RV at some of the best campgrounds in the state while you’re exploring by using our list of guides below.