Directions: The Tsali Recreation
Area is about 17½ miles from Robbinsville, NC, in the northeast
corner of Graham County. From Robbinsville, travel east on State
Highway 143 until you reach the junction with Highway 28. Turn right
at the stop sign and proceed south on Highway 28 for approximately
8.4 miles. The entrance to the Tsali Recreation Area will be on the
north side of the road and is well marked with signs. About 1½ miles
from the entrance there is a parking area and it is a short walk to
the various trailheads. The parking area has restrooms and an
information bulletin board. There is boat ramp access to Fontana
Lake, shore fishing, water skiing, camping, horse trails, mountain
bike trails, picnic tables and hiking trails. Schedules for the use
of the trails by equestrians and mountain bikers is as follows:
- Thompson Loop Trail and Mouse Branch
Loop Trail
- Hiking - seven days a week
- Horseback Riding - Sunday, Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday
- Mountain Biking - Tuesday, Thursday,
and Saturday
- Tsali Horse
Trail (Right Loop and Left Loop)
- Hiking - seven days a week
- Horseback Riding - Tuesday,
Thursday, and Saturday
- Mountain Biking - Sunday, Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday
- Proper safety equipment should be used
by mountain bikers and horse riders at all times. For everyone's
enjoyment these trails are designated as mixed use or joint use
trails. NOTE: Hikers may use any trail at any time, but you may
wish to select a trail not in use by mountain bikers. Be sure to
exercise caution and yield when necessary to mountain bikers and
equestrians.
- SPECIAL NOTE:
Mountain bikers and horse riders must pay a daily use fee.
CHALLENGING..... that's
the best word to describe the 39 miles of Tsali
Trails, rated as "more difficult." Suited for
hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders,
the 4-loop system offers a variety of
landscapes. You can climb 1-foot wide rugged
paths or travel flat, well-beaten roads. The
four trails -- Right Loop Trail, Left Loop
Trail, Mouse Branch Loop Trail, and Thompson
Loop Trail -- meander through mixed pine and
hardwoods on a peninsula stretching into Fontana
Lake.
Hikers may travel the
trails on any day, but mountain bikers and
equestrians, the primary users, are kept
separated by alternating use of the trails. A
schedule is posted at all trailhead and
displayed on this page.
- Right Loop Trail
Length: 11.0 miles
Highlights: Single track, views of Lake
Fontana, creek crossings, shorter 4 and 8
mile loops possible.
- Left Loop Trail
Length: 11.9 miles
Highlights: Longest Tsali trail, single
track, creek crossings, views of the Smokes
and Fontana Lake at the overlook.
- Mouse Branch Loop
Trail
Length: 9.0 miles
Highlights: Single track and old logging
roads, potential views of wild turkey, deer,
and grouse in forest wildlife openings, old
home sites.
- Thompson Loop
Trail
Length: 7.7 miles
Highlights: Single track, potential views of
wildlife, overlooks, stream crossings, old
logging roads, old home sites.
Call the Forest
Service's Cheoah District Ranger Office at
828-479-6431 for more information.
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