About Balsam Nature Trail
Balsam Nature Trail is a easy hiking trail near Montreat in Yancey County, North Carolina.. Managed by North Carolina Division of Parks & Recreation. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
Photo by Jay Mantri on Unsplash
Easy
Balsam Nature Trail
Montreat, North Carolina · Yancey County · lwn · North Carolina Division of Parks & Recreation
Balsam Nature Trail is a easy hiking trail near Montreat in Yancey County, North Carolina.. Managed by North Carolina Division of Parks & Recreation. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
Advertisement
35.76469, -82.26353
Open in OpenStreetMap5-Day Forecast
Weather at Balsam Nature Trail
Live forecast for the trailhead. Use it to pack and time your hike.
Today
Heavy Rain
61°/55°
💧 31%🌬 19mph
↑ 6:37 AM ↓ 8:32 PM
Mon
Heavy Rain
60°/51°
💧 15%🌬 10mph
↑ 6:38 AM ↓ 8:31 PM
Tue
Rain Showers
64°/51°
💧 42%🌬 9mph
↑ 6:39 AM ↓ 8:30 PM
Wed
Thunderstorm
62°/49°
💧 43%🌬 5mph
↑ 6:40 AM ↓ 8:29 PM
Thu
Light Drizzle
70°/51°
💧 33%🌬 8mph
↑ 6:41 AM ↓ 8:28 PM
Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.
What “Easy” Means
Gentle terrain, well-marked. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Difficulty is derived from OpenStreetMap’s Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hiking scale, trail visibility, surface, distance, and elevation gain. Always verify current conditions before heading out.
What to Pack & Wear
Personalised to this trail’s length, elevation, difficulty, and the live forecast.
👔 What to Wear
- Long-sleeve shirtSynthetic or merino, sun-protective.
- Light shell or windbreakerEven on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 19 mph).
- Hiking pants or convertibleLayer for variable conditions.
- Trail runners or low bootsComfortable, broken in.
- Rain jacket / shell43% chance of precipitation in the forecast.
🎒 What to Pack
- WaterBring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- High-energy snacksA snack for the trail.
- Sun protection (UV 8)SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
- First-aid kitBlister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- Offline mapDownload your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
- Dry bags for electronicsPhone, camera, and snacks should stay dry.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Trail Safety in North Carolina
Trail conditions in North Carolina change with weather, season, and fire activity. Closures, washouts, and rerouting are common. Before heading out:
- Check with the land manager for current conditions and closures
- Tell someone your plan and expected return time
- Know your turn-around limits — conditions can change fast
- Carry the 10 essentials: water, food, navigation, first aid, light, fire, shelter, knife, sun protection, extra clothes
References & Maps
Nearby
Other Trails Near Balsam Nature Trail
Closest trailheads, sorted by distance from this one.
Guides & rankings
More on hiking in North Carolina
Photo: Joshua EarleState Rankings
The 10 Longest Hiking Trails in North Carolina, Ranked
North Carolina's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: Sergei AkulichState Rankings
North Carolina's 10 Most Punishing Trails by Elevation Gain
Steep is hard. These are the ten North Carolina trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Joshua EarleState Rankings
The Best Beginner-Friendly Hikes in North Carolina
Ten gentle, well-marked North Carolina trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Sergei AkulichState Rankings
The 10 Most Challenging Hikes in North Carolina
North Carolina's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Joshua EarleParks & Travel
The Best National Parks & Recreation Areas in North Carolina
Federal parks and recreation areas in North Carolina ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Joshua EarleState Rankings
Best Waterfall Hikes in North Carolina: 10 Trails to See Falls Up Close
North Carolina's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.