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- Tennent Mountain
6,070 ft · Great Balsam Mountains, North Carolina
Tennent Mountain
Tennent Mountain is a 6,070 ft peak in the Great Balsam Mountains, North Carolina. The standard route is the Art Loeb Trail: 3 mi, 850 ft of gain, Class 1.
Tennent Mountain at a glance
- Elevation6,070 ft1,850 m
- RouteArt Loeb TrailClass 1
- Distance3 mi850 ft gain
- Time2 – 4 hrsEasy effort
- SeasonApr – Nov
- RangeGreat Balsam MountainsNorth Carolina
Climbing the Art Loeb Trail
From Asheville, drive the Blue Ridge Parkway south to milepost 420.2, turn onto Black Balsam Road (FR 816), and park on the shoulder where the Art Loeb Trail crosses about 0.7 mile in. Follow the Class 1 Art Loeb north over Black Balsam Knob and along the open ridge to the rocky summit of Tennent Mountain, about 1.9 miles out. For SB6K credit, drop to Ivestor Gap and return on the Ivestor Gap Trail (about 5 mi), or continue to Grassy Cove Top and Shining Rock. Almost the whole route is treeless bald, so turn back early when storms build. Expect crowds and full parking on fair-weather weekends.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (25–35 L)
Hiking Boots
Water
Offline Maps
Headlamp
Satellite Communicator
Whistle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sun Hat
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Trekking Poles
GPS Device
Power Bank
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
What to watch for
- High winds
- Storms
- Low visibility
- Rapid weather shifts
Quests with Tennent Mountain
South Beyond 6,000Peaks near Tennent Mountain
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Tennent Mountain?
Tennent Mountain is 6,070 feet (1,850 m) tall. It is in the Great Balsam Mountains, North Carolina.
How does Tennent Mountain rank among the South Beyond 6,000?
At 6,070 feet, Tennent Mountain is the 33rd highest of the 40 peaks of the South Beyond 6,000. The highest is Mount Mitchell.
How hard is it to hike Tennent Mountain?
The Art Loeb Trail is Class 1, which means hiking on a trail. Yak rates the overall effort easy: 3 miles with 850 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike Tennent Mountain?
Most people take 2 – 4 hours round trip on the Art Loeb Trail, covering 3 miles with 850 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.
Can a beginner hike Tennent Mountain?
Usually, if you are fit. The Art Loeb Trail is a common first summit for hikers ready for 2 – 4 hours on their feet. Bring layers, food and water, and check the weather before you start.
When is the best time to hike Tennent Mountain?
The usual hiking window is April to November. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Tennent Mountain with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list