Art Loeb Trailhead, Pisgah National Forest, Brevard, NC
For a day, for a night, for a week, for a whole while!
Get your backpack together and lace up those boots for one of the harder trails in the Pisgah area.
The best part was meeting the Appalachian Trail through hikers at camp sites!
It is about a three hour drive into the outdoorsy town of Brevard, North Carolina from Elon but well worth the gas. The entire route is 30 miles that can be conquered in 3 days, but is often stretched to an easy four or five day trip, where water falls can be enjoyed and blueberries -- if it is the right time of year -- can be eaten.
There are definitely areas on the trail that are challenging, but it is my go to route to take people that are new to backpacking. Along with that, if the Art Loeb is too long to do, there are also many trails and loops that sprout off of the Art Loeb, giving you many options. If you choose to do this one weekend make sure to check the weather and prepare for all possibilities, as well as checking maps and updated route tips at the welcome center before you head out!