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Tsali Left Loop - Entire Ride

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.3 (29)
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …West and Mountains
  4. Tsali Recreation Area
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“A tour of Tsali Recreation Area with views of the Great Smoky Mountains and Fontana Lake. ”

Zack Butler
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Map Key

11.0

Miles

17.7

KM

75%

Singletrack

2,037' 621 m

High

1,716' 523 m

Low

968' 295 m

Up

964' 294 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

13%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Open to mountain bikes on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday and horses on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Overview

The Tsali Left Loop - Entire Ride combines the Tsali Left Loop and the County Line Road to form a complete loop out along Fontana Lake and back to the trailhead. This ride is part of an IMBA Epic trail system. The Tsali Left Loop itself is entirely singletrack, while the County Line Road is an old gravel-surfaced fire road.

Along this ride, you'll encounter very little in the way of technical challenges, although a few sections along Fontana Lake have become somewhat technical.

Description

The Tsali Left Loop itself is entirely singletrack, while the County Line Road is an old gravel-surfaced fire road. Along this ride, you'll encounter very little in the way of technical challenges, although a few sections along Fontana Lake have become somewhat technical due to erosion and undercutting from the lake causing some trail sections to become narrow, and in some places, almost collapse.

The singletrack section is very scenic, mostly smooth, and flows relatively well in spite of steep drop-offs toward the lake. Shortly after beginning this ride (which goes clockwise), you'll pass an old homesite on the left; only a stone chimney remains. Towards the end of the singletrack section, the trail rises to a bluff overlooking Fontana Lake and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park across the lake. This overlook is even more spectacular in the late spring (May and June) when the mountain laurel are blooming.

The singletrack eventually gives way to the old fire road--a 2.5 mile gravel lane leading back towards the trailhead. Although the County Line Road is wide and generally smooth in spite of the gravel, it has a few steep sections and some sections suffer from erosion. This section snakes its way along the backbone of the peninsula jutting out into the lake. It doesn't require much skill, but it's challenging enough to require that you be in decent shape.

Contacts

Local Club: SORBA - Nantahala Area

Land Manager: USFS - Nantahala National Forest Office

Shared By:

Zack Butler
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 29 votes

#3

in Tsali Recreation Area

#719

Overall
  4.3 from 29 votes
5 Star
48%
4 Star
34%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Tsali Recreation Area

#43

in North Carolina

#719

Overall
14 Views Last Month
6,679 Since Jun 24, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

Great Smokey Mountain National Park
Oct 15, 2013 near Bryson…, NC
The beautiful overlook at Tsali!
Feb 11, 2018 near Bryson…, NC
Lovely sunset location, but bring lights for riding out.
Aug 29, 2022 near Bryson…, NC
Left Loop view
Jul 31, 2013 near Bryson…, NC
Fontana Lake, from the Tsali Left Loop. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is across the lake.
Jun 17, 2013 near Bryson…, NC
Incredible view!!!
Sep 24, 2020 near Bryson…, NC

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Check-Ins

May 17, 2024
Cory Liverman
10.5mi
Jun 18, 2023
Jenn McMullan
First time riding the left loop. Really fun! 12.1mi — 1h 23m
Nov 6, 2022
George Sawyer
Mar 6, 2022
Linda Leavell
1h 37m
Nov 10, 2021
Kim Osborne
11.3mi
Aug 24, 2021
Roderic Shields
Rode with Lisa and it kicked out butts but we did it. 10.9mi
Aug 6, 2021
PETE AND ANGELA PUCELLA
Jul 24, 2021
Russ Gowan
Nice stream crossings. Good to know if you bring Fido. Well laid out flow trail. Clear. Dry. 11.2mi

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