Hard

Black Balsam Summit Trail

Balsam Grove, Tennessee · Haywood County

Black Balsam Summit Trail is a hard hiking trail near Balsam Grove in Haywood County, Tennessee.. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.

🧭 Get Directions 🗺️ Open in OSM

35.32747, -82.87524

Open in OpenStreetMap

5-Day Forecast

Weather at Black Balsam Summit Trail

Live forecast for the trailhead. Use it to pack and time your hike.

Avg High65°F

Avg Low51°F

Peak Rain Chance58%

Humidity81%

UV (avg)7

Air Quality49 · Good

Today

☁️

Overcast

64°/55°

💧 3%🌬 15mph

↑ 6:38 AM ↓ 8:37 PM

Thu

🌫

Fog

62°/47°

💧 1%🌬 11mph

↑ 6:39 AM ↓ 8:36 PM

Fri

☁️

Overcast

72°/49°

🌬 8mph

↑ 6:39 AM ↓ 8:35 PM

Sat

🌧

Rain Showers

68°/50°

💧 25%🌬 7mph

↑ 6:40 AM ↓ 8:35 PM

Sun

🌧

Heavy Drizzle

60°/53°

💧 58%🌬 6mph

↑ 6:41 AM ↓ 8:34 PM

Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.

About Black Balsam Summit Trail

Black Balsam Summit Trail is a hard hiking trail near Balsam Grove in Haywood County, Tennessee.. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.

What “Hard” Means

Steep, technical, or long. Requires good fitness and experience.

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 shirt
Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
🧥
Light shell or windbreaker
Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 15 mph).
👖
Hiking pants or convertible
Layer for variable conditions.
🥾
Trail runners or low boots
Comfortable, broken in.
☔
Rain jacket / shell
58% chance of precipitation in the forecast.

🎒 What to Pack

💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
🧴
Sun protection (UV 7)
SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
🔦
Headlamp + spare batteries
Long days can run late — never rely on phone flashlight alone.
🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
🛍
Dry bags for electronics
Phone, 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 Tennessee

Trail conditions in Tennessee 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

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is Black Balsam Summit Trail?

Black Balsam Summit Trail is rated Hard. Steep, technical, or long — good fitness and experience recommended.

When is the best time to hike Black Balsam Summit Trail?

Tennessee has trail conditions that vary by season. Spring and fall usually offer the best mix of temperature and trail conditions. Check the 5-day forecast above for current outlook. Always verify trail status (closures, washouts, fire restrictions) with the local land manager before going.

References & Maps

View original OpenStreetMap record — source data
Open OpenStreetMap at trailhead
Driving directions (Google Maps)

Nearby

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Hiker standing on a rocky summit overlooking deep mountain valleys

Photo: Holly MandarichHardTN

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