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

Overall Difficulty: Beginner
Technical Difficulty: Easy
Physical Difficulty: Moderate
Configuration: Loop
Length: 11 miles

Graham county North Carolina fully embodies all that is western North Carolina, thick hardwood forests, green rolling mountains, and vast recreation opportunities, most Located in the northeast corner of Graham County, Tsali recreation area of the Nantahala National Forest area embraces these wonderful qualities and is available to all for a mere $2.00 parking fee. The forest service has valued and maintained Tsali for the recreational opportunities present, including hiking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, boating, and mountain biking. With a network of four trails, shared with hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers alike, two trails are open to bikes, and closed to horses, on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. One of these trails, the right loop trail is an excellent ride along the banks of Fontana Lake that offer spectacular views along a smooth, non-technical ride, all the while covering 11 miles of Appalachian terrain.

To begin the right loop trail, leave the parking area and make a quick stop at the information kiosk to grab a map, review the flora and fauna of the area, and then continue forward passing a sign for the left loop trail. The right loop trail’s signs are clear and obvious, and lead you on a counter-clockwise path. After a mile of smooth sailing, the banks of Lake Fontana first appear, and the trail leads you from cove to cove, maintaining a view of the vibrant blue waters of the lake. The first major ascent peels you away from the banks edge, which peaks, and rolls over to a series of fun downhills. Let loose and enjoy the widened trail as you fly down this descent, fully equipped with rollers for those seeking a brief succession of gravity defying hits. The trail narrows, leading down a rocky descent that eventually enters a beautiful section of quintessential Appalachian forest.

After this gentle forest cruise, a relatively strenuous climb presents itself, and if conquered, a wonderful view is certainly rewarded to those able to crank up this ascent. Naturally, what comes up, most come down, and another fantastic downhill is waiting for you as you persist on, with water banks and all. Eventually, you reach an intersection that presents the opportunity to continue straight to Windy Point, an overlook on one of Tsali’s many peninsulas. It is a short, yet rough out and back ride for those looking for extra mileage, or a nice place to take a break. Otherwise, continue left on to the right loop trail, dropping down a fast, narrow, steep descent leaving you in a fern-swept bottomland. Continuing with a few moderate ascents and descents, you will reach the intersection of the right loop trail, left loop trail, and the county line road. A left turn on the county line road will lead you on a two mile easy ride back to the trailhead. In conclusion, the right loop trail offers a very non-technical ride, through beautiful forests and stunning lakeside vistas. Alternate trails do exist throughout the loop ride that offers opportunities to shorten the ride if desired.