Shining Rock overnight Loop hikes

[10-K]

Having hiked the Art Loeb trail I'd like to go back and explore the Shining Rock wilderness area. Can someone recommend a good overnight (30-40 mile) loop hike?

[The Solemates]

start way down near brevard off 276 before you get to the visitors center (I think). hike up to black mtn, near cradle of forestry/pink beds, cross the parkway, head towards shining rock, follow the ridge to sams knob and cross the parkway again, come back down daniel ridge on the art loeb towards john rock/looking glass, and end up at your car.

not sure of the distance on this, but its probably in the ballpark you mention. Ive done this hike once, and portions of it several times, and it is awesome. we did a much smaller (colder) loop a couple christmases ago: http://www.amongnature.blogspot.com/...ning-rock.html

[10-K]

Do you know any of the trail names for that hike?

[4dogHiker]

There are a lot of opportunities for loop hikes, large and small, in this area. I would recommend picking up the NatGeo Pisgah Forest Map. It includes areas of North Mills River and Turkey Pen. Note that a lot of the aforementioned trail systems are really great in warmer climates as there can be many (easy) river crossings.