The best walks and hikes around Black Mountain

Yes, many trails around Black Mountain are welcoming to dogs, though they should be kept on a leash. The Lookout Mountain Trailhead is a particularly popular spot for hikers with dogs, but be aware it involves some steep sections and rock scrambles that might be challenging for some pets.

For a very gentle and accessible walk, the Lake Tomahawk loop is an excellent choice. It's a short, mostly flat path around a scenic lake. For a bit more of a forest experience, the Craggy Pinnacle Trail is a short, rewarding hike that is highly regarded by families for its stunning views.

Yes, the region has some beautiful waterfalls. While not a loop, the trail to Catawba Falls in the nearby Pisgah National Forest is a very popular choice for seeing a series of impressive cascades. Another option is the Graybeard Trail, which has a spur trail leading to Graybeard Falls.

The area offers a good mix of both. You can find excellent circular routes, such as the Little Piney & Big Piney Loop, which takes you through the dense Montreat Wilderness. Many other popular trails, like those to specific peaks or waterfalls, are typically out-and-back.

Hiking is possible year-round, but spring and fall are generally considered the best seasons. Spring offers blooming wildflowers and pleasant temperatures, while fall provides spectacular autumn colors and cooler, crisp air. Summer can be hot and humid, and winter may bring ice and snow to higher elevation trails, requiring extra caution and gear.

The Montreat Wilderness is known for some of the more challenging hikes in the immediate Black Mountain area. Trails here, like the popular Rainbow Mountain & Lookout Mountain Loop, often involve significant, steep climbs and rocky terrain to reach rewarding viewpoints. This contrasts with the gentler greenways and lakeside paths found closer to the town itself.

The views are a major highlight of hiking here. Many trails offer panoramic vistas of the Seven Sisters mountain range and the Swannanoa Valley. From summits like Lookout Mountain, you can get sweeping 360-degree views. Other trails provide serene forest scenery, riverside paths, and beautiful lake views with Graybeard Mountain in the background.

For any hike, you should bring plenty of water, snacks, and a map or fully charged phone with the route downloaded. Sturdy hiking shoes are essential due to the rocky and uneven terrain on many trails. It's also wise to pack layers of clothing, as weather can change quickly in the mountains, and include rain gear, as the area is part of a temperate rainforest ecosystem.

Parking can be limited, especially at popular trailheads on weekends and holidays. For example, the parking area for the Divis and the Black Mountain trails is known to fill up quickly. It's always a good idea to arrive early in the day to secure a spot and avoid parking in unsafe locations on narrow roads.

There are over 35 designated hiking routes in the immediate Black Mountain area. These range from easy, short walks to difficult, full-day mountain treks, offering a wide variety of options for all skill levels.

The trails are very highly rated by the komoot community. Hikers often praise the stunning, hard-earned views from the summits and the well-maintained trail networks. The mix of challenging climbs in areas like Montreat and gentle walks near town is frequently mentioned as a major plus.