A long, challenging route for dedicated trail runners, the Black Mountain Loop is a section of the Mountains to Sea Trail with incredible views of Pisgah National Forest. The trailhead is at Pressley Gap off Turkey Cove Road, about 30 miles south of Asheville. From there, climb Black Mountain Trail to the summit and over a ridgeline. (Mountain bikers love this route, so keep your head up!) At Club Gap, stay straight to continue on the Buckwheat Knob Trail. There are great views here, especially in winter. Bennett Gap will loop you back about 10 miles to Pressley Cove.
Features:
Scroll Down For Route Maps
Essentials
- 10 mile loop
- Steep and challenging. Some 3,000 foot elevation gain
- Pressley Gap
- Turkey Cove Road
Current Weather & Forecast
Asheville, US
7:54 am,
Jun 23, 2026
overcast clouds
19°C
L: 19°
H: 20°
Daily ForecastHourly Forecast
Today
5:00 pm
19° / 20°°C
0 mm
0%
8 mph
52 %
1020 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
5:00 pm
18° / 30°°C
0 mm
0%
8 mph
64 %
1020 mb
0 mm/h
Thursday
5:00 pm
18° / 29°°C
0 mm
0%
10 mph
69 %
1018 mb
0 mm/h
Friday
5:00 pm
19° / 30°°C
0 mm
0%
9 mph
71 %
1021 mb
0 mm/h
Saturday
5:00 pm
20° / 33°°C
0 mm
0%
7 mph
68 %
1022 mb
0 mm/h
Today
8:00 am
26° / 28°°C
0 mm
0%
8 mph
37 %
1020 mb
0 mm/h
Today
11:00 am
26° / 27°°C
0 mm
0%
8 mph
34 %
1020 mb
0 mm/h
Today
2:00 pm
24° / 25°°C
0 mm
0%
6 mph
39 %
1020 mb
0 mm/h
Today
5:00 pm
21° / 21°°C
0 mm
0%
4 mph
52 %
1020 mb
0 mm/h
Today
8:00 pm
18° / 18°°C
0 mm
0%
1 mph
60 %
1020 mb
0 mm/h
Today
11:00 pm
18° / 18°°C
0 mm
0%
2 mph
64 %
1020 mb
0 mm/h
Tomorrow
2:00 am
23° / 23°°C
0 mm
0%
3 mph
51 %
1020 mb
0 mm/h
Other Routes in Asheville, NC
This 1.7-mile self guided tour of downtown Asheville’s architecture, history, and art, covers some of the hippest streets in town, all on spacious sidewalks.
Spanning from French Broad River Park through Carrier Park and ending at Hominy Creek River Park, the French Broad River Greenway is a 2.7 mile asphalt multi-use path following Asheville’s most major river.
The Montford Historic District of northwest Asheville is a great choice for a tour of some of Asheville's prettiest streets and homes. Starting from the Asheville Visitors Center, an out and back is about 3 miles. Add or vary using side streets.
A 3.8 mile paved out and back follows Reed Creek from Pine Points to the University of North Carolina Asheville campus and botanical gardens.
This lovely jogging trail forms a part-asphalt, part-dirt loop around Beaver Lake and the surrounding neighborhood. Nice water and mountain views.
This beautiful chateau, with gardens and grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, has over 22 miles of trails spread over 8,000 acres lining the French Broad River and surrounding forests. Note: Set hours and very steep admission fee required.
This top outdoor destination in Asheville has a variety of trails from easy to challenging, including a series of dirt Forest Service Roads. Start at the North Carolina Arboretum or Lake Powhatan Recreation Area. Part of the Pisgah National Forest.
The 5 mile out and back of Warren Wilson College’s River Trail covers pastoral meadows and farmland with lots of swimming opportunities. Add on with a jaunt around the pretty campus of this small liberal arts college.
A 1 mile jogging loop around shady Fletcher Community Park, can be combined with the Cane Creek Greenway for more mileage. There is also outdoor exercise equipment for strength training.
A great destination run 25 miles west of Asheville. This popular recreation retreat and conference center has a paved path that encircles the lake. There are loop options of 2.3 and 3.8 miles, with lovely lake and mountain views.
A tough trail run up to the summit of Greybeard Mountain and over the Seven Sisters range.
The beautiful Snooks Nose Trail is part of Asheville’s tough 100 mile spring trail race. There are good, challenging 4 and 8 mile out and back routes that will challenge trail runners in their own right.
The closest point of the Parkway to Asheville is the Asheville Visitor Center, at Milepost 382, 6 miles away. See our guide to running on the Blue Ridge Parkway for the most runner-friendly sections and trails, as well as more challenging opportunities for trail runners.
America's most visited National Park is 70 miles west of Asheville. Two good running options are the Cades Cove Loop Road, and the Greenbrier Cove area. Blue Ridge Parkway's southern terminus is 2 miles from Great Smoky NP.
User Ratings
Leave A Review or Comment
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!