Green Knob Loop is a 2.2 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Blowing Rock, North Carolina that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Little traveled trail with two entrances off the Blue Ridge Parkway that includes Sims Creek as well as Sims Pond.
Pull-over sites with limited parking are available at both entrances.
There are two entrances to the trail, one from the Sims Creek Overlook and one from the Sims Pond Overlook, both of which are accessible off the Blue Ridge Parkway and located in Price Park near Blowing Rock.
April 9, 2021Always pleasant, but the path even more eroded - footy and wet. Worth it for the meadow, and the fresh meadow smell (really!). On my map I took a slight detour off path for another vista - worth putting up with a few brambles (wear long pants).
April 8, 2021My wife and I loved it. So did Beatrix our dog. Really enjoyed the pasture section at the top.
April 5, 2021Always popular. First 1/4 of trail is along Sims Creek with a couple of crossings which are fun. Traveling under BRP is neat. One steep, extended climb through an open meadow then a steep and somewhat rocky descent.
February 16, 2021This was a really great trail but very hard to find the trailhead. The road to get to it was closed, so we had to park near the bypass and walk almost 1.5 miles to the lake and finally found it. The terrain was tough for older uncle that came with us. Lots of incline and changes of terrain. It was one of my favorite hikes but not for the weak!
January 16, 2021Great trail for a beginner. Just finished it and the snow wasn’t too bad, beautiful nature surrounding it and walking through Sims Creek was pretty fun!
January 2, 2021Love this trail. Wear your hiking shoes!
January 2, 2021Great trail, lots of variety in just under 2 miles
January 1, 2021Didn't see another soul today! A few leftover patches of snow around and plenty of mud from all the recent rain. A perfect trail for moody days! One of my favorite short trails along the parkway and the dogs love all the little creeks and open fields
December 31, 2020I just came back. this trail was awesome. Not easy, not too hard. perfect for my adventures 9 and 6 yrs old kids. We had a blast. No much traffic, only 2 couples and a lonely runner.
December 6, 2020November 27, 2020Nice short trail but still with lots of variety. We took it CCW starting at the bridge by the pond. Pretty sloppy till we curved back up under the B.R.P., then nice pastures and meadows with seasonal views of Grandfather Mountain from the upper pasture. GPS logged us at just under two miles.
November 27, 2020Good for 9 yr old kids
November 24, 2020Very nice trail, changes up from forest to fields to streams. Beautiful scenery.
November 14, 2020Great trail! A little muddy this morning, but to be expected after recent rains.
November 13, 2020I love this hike, especially during the fall and winter when the leaves are gone because you get an amazing view of grandfather mountain!
November 12, 2020Nice variety! Plan to get your feet wet! Good moderate level of elevation change but somewhat steep decent that may hurt the ankles!
November 9, 2020November 7, 2020The trail was beautiful! Make sure you wear waterproof shoots and watch out for the manure!
November 7, 2020November 7, 2020Nice short moderate trail that starts off on the other side of Sim's Pond. We went counterclockwise. The trail takes you through a few creek crossings and can be muddy so wear waterproof shoes or carefully rock hop. Once the trail turns left and goes under the cool bridge, you will ascend to an open field shaped like a bowl, giving you a "Sound of Music" feeling. Rest on the bench on the uphill and take in the beauty. Then you go up the road to Green Knob which is another open field. After that it's a steep downhill through the woods to a tall grassy clearing with good views of Grandfather Mountain in the distance. A really big oak tree as well. Once you reach the road you are just west of the parking area, maybe a quarter mile. Enjoy!
November 5, 2020Such a great hike! Lots of change in scenery. We did it with our kids (11,9,6) and it was perfect.
October 31, 2020Awesome trail. Whew.
