360° views are something to be treasured, and North Carolina has a lot of them. However, if you’re looking for a hike that will make you feel like you’re on top of the world, The Tennent Mountain/Black Balsam Knob Loop meets all the criteria.

Our dear friend Margaret was in town, so the time was right for a bit of adventure.

The weather that weekend was predictably unpredictable, so we opted for an early start. Thank goodness Margaret was such a good sport— the time difference had her up at 3 am Arizona time—and she’s never claimed to be a morning person.

The 1.5-hour drive from Hendersonville took us through Pisgah National Forest to the Blue Ridge Parkway—a scenic climb through the mountains that provided plenty of twists and turns along the way. It was windy and cool, and thankfully, there was no rain in sight.

Many of the overlooks along Blue Ridge Parkway.

We hiked the Art Loeb Trail to Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain, then returned via the Investor Gap Trail.

Black Balsam Knob to Tennent Mountain is listed as a moderate 4.3-mile hike with a generous 700 feet of elevation gain. Tip: There are portions along the way where poles would be helpful (as opposed to a pulling Italian greyhound), as you’ll d a variety of terrain, from sand to boulders, along with some smooth rock faces.

After a short time in the woods, the entire world opened up.

Did I mention it was a bit windy? Ummm, yeah, it was. Once we reached Tennent, we found a semi-protected rock that shielded us from most of it.

After lunch, we circled back down via the Investor Gap Trail. Trust me, it was an enjoyable way to descend a mountain.

Looking back, our life in Arizona was full of wide, open spaces and generous vistas. The years we spent in the Canadian Rockies was a gift, allowing Dave and me to experience living and hiking in the Rocky Mountains firsthand. So, I guess—in Dave and my fantasy world, it’s pretty much all about the view.

New state, new adventures.