AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Sam Knob–Sam Knob Viewpoint, 4 sights

6.4 mi · ▲ 1,212 ft · 2 hr 44 min

Sam Knob–Sam Knob Viewpoint, 4 sights is a 6.4-mile out-and-back near Balsam Grove, NC. The route passes Sam Knob before reaching Sam Knob Viewpoint at the turnaround, 3.2 miles in. It climbs 1,212 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade. It scores 55/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi5,414 – 6,076 ft · steepest grade: 18%6.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Devils Courthouse Trail 35.30546, -82.89918
Nearest town Balsam Grove, NC
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Sam Knob–Sam Knob Viewpoint, 4 sights

6.4 mi · ▲ 1,212 ft · 2 hr 44 min

Elevation 5,415–6,075 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Devils Courthouse Trail · 35.30546, -82.89918

Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 74°F / low 62° · precip 20% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 7:08 AM · sunset 7:55 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Devils Courthouse Trail, heading E.
  2. 0.2 miTurn left, heading NE.
  3. 0.1 miTurn right onto Mountains-to-Sea Trail, heading NE.
  4. 0.3 miTurn left onto Little Sam Trail, heading N.
  5. 1.2 miSharp left onto Flat Laurel Creek Trail, heading W.
  6. 0.3 miSharp right onto Sam Knob Trail, heading NE.
  7. 1 miPass Sam Knob Viewpoint.
  8. 250 ftReach Sam Knob, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 1.1 miSharp left onto Flat Laurel Creek Trail, heading SW.
  10. 0.3 miSharp right onto Little Sam Trail, heading S.
  11. 1.2 miTurn right onto Mountains-to-Sea Trail, heading SW.
  12. 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
  13. 0.1 miTurn right onto Devils Courthouse Trail, heading S.
  14. 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/sam-knob-sam-knob-viewpoint-out-back-6-viewpoints

Trail surface

50% dirt8% paved42% unspecified

Weather

OvercastTemperature 74°F62°
Precip20%Wind7 mphUV7Humidity71%
Hourly temperatureRain chance
75°60° 5 AM: 1% rain8 AM: 1% rain9 AM: 1% rain10 AM: 1% rain11 AM: 1% rain12 PM: 1% rain1 PM: 4% rain2 PM: 8% rain3 PM: 18% rain4 PM: 15% rain5 PM: 18% rain6 PM: 20% rain7 PM: 10% rain8 PM: 10% rain9 PM: 8% rain10 PM: 9% rain11 PM: 8% rain
Sunrise 7:08 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 7:55 PM
Sun 71°57° 66%
Mon 62°55° 54%
Tue 67°49°
Wed 75°51°
Thu 76°55° 25%
Fri 72°55° 42%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.0 mi in (~95 min). Leave by 6:00 PM for the 7:55 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Devils Courthouse Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Balsam Grove, North Carolina