Left Loop Mountain Bike Trail – Tsali Recreation Area (Graham County, NC)

Overall Difficulty: Intermediate
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Physical Difficulty: Moderate
Configuration: Loop
Length: 11.9 miles

Public lands offer endless riding opportunities, especially with the adoption of recreation by many state and federal agencies as a valuable resource to manage. Tsali recreation area of western North Carolina, considered by some as a southeastern mecca for mountain biking, is located in the Nantahala National Forest along the banks of Fontana Lake. The area is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and offers a trail system that covers over 30 miles of terrain that explores the banks of Fontana Lake, climbs to awe-inspiring overlooks of the Appalachian mountains, and travels through dense, ancient hardwood forests. The left loop trail, one of the four designated trails of Tsali, is open to mountain bikers on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and open to horseback riders the other days. An 11.9 mile loop trail, the left loop trail hops from cove to cove of Fontana lake, with the occasional climb and subsequent fast descent that eventually leaves the banks of the lake and returns to the trailhead via a gravel doubletrack.

To begin this trail, ride past the information kiosk and bike cleaning station and immediately take a left following the trail signs for the left loop trail. An initial climb and quick descent will drop you into the horse trailer parking lot, from which you will cross and drop into the forest following the signs. Gentle rollers take you across the contours of the hillsides, with bank turns allowing for smoother transitions between opposing aspects. An abrupt left turn places you in a drainage that leads you to your first glimpse of Fontana Lake. Begin following the shoreline with the occasional creek crossing as many tributaries are crossed as the trail hops from cove to cove. Dry oak forests transition to fern and moss laden under stories as dynamic moisture gradients are encountered while constantly climbing and descending opposing hillsides.

Only slight climbs have been encountered thus far, but a moderately larger climb is encountered as the trail ascends to an overlooking peninsula, and then continues up the ridgeline. The climb peaks and the trail rolls over and begins a fun descent through Rhododendron trees that ends at another drainage and continues traversing more peninsulas. At this point, the climbs and descents begin to become a larger. One particular stretch of downhill includes water banks that increase the technicality of the descent and sharp, exposed turns require slight speed checks to avoid unwanted full bodied launches off of the embankment. An intersection is soon encountered that offers an extra 2 mile overlook loop that climbs for one mile to the cusp of a rock outcropping. Enjoy a nice view of Fontana Lake and the surrounding Appalachians, and then continue on the overlook trail which descends quickly and eventually returns to the left loop trail. 

Here you are presented with a four way intersection that includes the combination of the overlook trail, the original left loop trail, the right loop trail, and the double-track county line road that is the final stretch back to the trailhead for both the left loop and right loop trails. A left turn can set you on a clockwise route around the right loop trail to add about 8 miles onto your loop. Otherwise, continue straight on the county line road doubletrack for a 2 mile cruise back to the trailhead. Beautiful views of the vibrant blue Fontana Lake are scattered throughout the left loop trail, as well as moderately strenuous climbs and fast descents. The lack in technicality makes it an excellent trail for beginners looking to add length to their rides and the scenery encountered can entertain advanced riders as they chaperone their beginner friends through the wilderness. Multi-day trips are easily accomplished, for 42 campsites are available on a first-come, first served basis, only minutes from the trailhead and are located steps away from the shores of Fontana Lake, where swimming and fishing opportunities are present. Day use parking costs $2.00, where maps, restrooms, a bike cleaning station, and historical information of the area are all available. Hit the trail early, for crowds often persist through the afternoon and enjoy your public forests located here at Tsali recreation area.

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