Huckleberry Knob Trail Guide: Panoramic Mountain Views

Do you want to summit a peak and be surrounded by mountains, but would rather not hike a long, hard trail? I’ve got the perfect hike for you!

girl standing at the summit of huckleberry knob in north carolina

While most summits involve significant amounts of elevation gain and high mileage, the Huckleberry Knob Trail in North Carolina is only 1.7 miles roundtrip with just 300 feet of elevation gain.

And at the end, hikers are rewarded with 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. It’s truly a spectacular hike with little effort.

girl hiking at the summit of huckleberry knob in north carolina

Okay, ready to hike it? In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about the Huckleberry Knob Trail, including where to park, when to go, what to expect on the trail and at the summit, and more!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks so much for your support!

CHEROHALA SKYWAY AT A GLANCE

Before diving in, here are a few highlights for planning a trip to the Cherohala Skyway.

Getting There: The closest airport to the Cherohala Skyway is McGhee Tyson, which is about 1 hour from the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center. Find affordable flights here.
Entrance Fee: No entrance fee but some spots require a day-use fee. The America the Beautiful Pass is accepted in those areas.
Where to Stay: Camp at Indian Boundary or stay right off the Skyway in the town of Tellico Plains, TN or Robbinsville, NC. (Read my Where to Stay guide)
How to Get Around: You’ll need to rent a personal vehicle to get around the Skyway and National Forests.
Best Time to Visit: Summer and fall
How Long to Visit: 2-3 days

Table of Contents

Huckleberry Knob Trail Guide: Panoramic Mountain Views

girl standing at the huckleberry knob summit

What Is Huckleberry Knob?

5,560 feet in elevation, Huckleberry Knob is the highest peak in the remote Unicoi Mountains.

Its beautiful bald summit has open fields with short grasses and wildflowers, gifting hikers with uninterrupted views of the surrounding Great Smoky, Unicoi, Cheoah, Snowbird, Nantahala, Valley River, Tusquitee, and Cohutta mountain ranges.

Where Is Huckleberry Knob?

Huckleberry Knob is tucked inside Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. The hiking trail and summit are accessed via the Cherohala Skyway – NC mile marker 8.

Parking Information For Huckleberry Knob Trail

There is a small paved parking lot located right off the Cherohala Skyway. There are only 4 parking spaces – no oversized vehicles.

Should the parking lot be full, overflow parking is available on the shoulder of the Cherohala Skyway.

When to Hike Huckleberry Knob Trail

girl hiking the huckleberry knob trail in north carolina

The best time to hike the Huckleberry Knob Trail is in the summer. Since the trail and peak are above 5,000 feet in elevation, extreme conditions (including snow, ice, and harsh winds) are common in the winter.

If you are interested in watching the monarch butterflies migrate, make sure to hike to the summit in late September or early October!

Getting to the Huckleberry Knob Trailhead

The trailhead is at North Carolina mile marker 8 on the Cherohala Skyway, about 32 miles from the Visitor Center.

Type in “Huckleberry Knob Parking” into Google Maps, and the directions will take you right to the trailhead parking lot. Or you can click here for directions.

Huckleberry Knob Trail Description

Length: 1.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 331 feet
Type of Trail: Out & back
Difficulty: Easy
Pet-Friendly: Yes

The Huckleberry Knob Trail starts right behind the small parking lot. Just past the trailhead billboard is a gate with a “road closed” sign (pictured above). Maneuver around the gate and follow the former fire service road at a gradual climb for about a quarter-mile.

This part of the trail can tend to get overgrown and muddy. I’d recommend wearing pants and waterproof boots.

Soon, the trees open up to a wide-open grassy field. Follow the narrow path that cuts through the tall grass for about a quarter-mile.

You’ll dip back into the trees briefly before ascending the grassy Huckleberry Knob bald.

First, you’ll see the cross up ahead on the left. Once you ascend the bald, pass the cross, and make it to the top, you’ve arrived at Huckleberry Knob!

Spend as much time as you’d like roaming around the bald, exploring the narrow pathways, and taking in the panoramic mountain views. Every step you take and every direction you look gives you a new vantage point.

If you are up there with other hikers, don’t worry! With views quite literally in all directions, there’s plenty of mountain to go around.

I particularly enjoyed watching the butterflies flutter around the fields and the bees hum around the wildflowers. And while we didn’t see any bears, bear activity is super common in the area! Don’t forget your bear spray.

Also, note that there are a couple of fire rings at the summit, indicating that campers have been up there. We’ve never seen campers in this area, but just know that this is a possibility.

When you’re ready, retrace your steps to get back to the trailhead!

Hint: If you get turned around at the summit, just look for the cross. That’s the direction that you need to head!

Huckleberry Knob Trail FAQs

Are dogs allowed on Huckleberry Knob?

Yes! Dogs are allowed on the Huckleberry Knob Trail and summit.

Can you camp on Huckleberry Knob?

There are a couple of fire rings up at the summit, indicating that people have camped there. However, according to the Nantahala Forest Service, dispersed camping is only allowed in designated spots, and Huckleberry Knob isn’t one of them.