Inboard/outboard asymmetry in the impurity ion parallel flow is observed in the HSX stellarator using charge exchange recombination spectroscopy (CHERS). This observation shows the presence of counter-streaming Pfirsch–Schlüter flow predicted by neoclassical theory. The asymmetry of the flow is used to calculate the magnitude and direction of the radial electric field (Er), as well as the mean flow, using computed magnetic geometry factors. This method enables calculation of Er near the core of the HSX plasma where the Er obtained from the radial force balance equation has large uncertainties due to the relatively large width of the diagnostic neutral beam with respect to the plasma minor radius.