Tsali Recreation Area:

Distance from Huntington Hall Bed & Breakfast: 45 minutes and well worth it!
Directions: from Murphy: East on US 19-74 to NC 28, turn left and go 3 miles 

Voted one of the Top 10 mountain biking areas in the country by Bicycling Magazine! 39 miles of trails laid out in a four loop system offer something for riders of every level. Rated moderate, the trails can climb from 1760' to 2040'. This area is located in the USGS Noland Creek Quadrangle of the Cheoah Ranger District. Tsali is a mixed use recreation area with hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders sharing the trails. A schedule is posted at all trailheads. Trail use is scheduled as such:

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

The Thompson Loop Trail :

     Distance: This trail is approximately 7.4 miles long and is well used and easy to follow.
     Difficulty: It is rated as and easy to moderate hiking trail.
     Use Guide: Like the Mouse Branch Loop Trail, this can be an excellent trail for families
     Trailhead: The trailhead is located opposite to the entrance of the parking lot.
     and the casual day tripper. Allow enough time if you intend to hike the entire loop. With a
     family group on a casual strool, allow 4-5 hours. For the more agressive hiker, 3-4 hours
     should be sufficient time. Bring adequate food, water and protective clothing if your trip is
     going to be more than a few hours.
     Description: From the intersection of the trailhead and County Line Road, walk down 125
     yards to a small stream crossing and look to your left for a sign for the Thompson Loop Trail.
     The trail begins an ascent through a wood for about ¾ of a mile. Shortly after reaching the top
     of the ridge you will come to a logging road. Turn to your left and proceed for about 1¼ miles
     and turn right. Go about another 1½ miles and turn right again. Follow the trail markers to
     complete the loop. 

     This is a well used trail and easy to follow. Portions of the trail have suffered fire and storm
     damage over the past several years. However, the trail still offers a view of nature in recovery
     and many splended vistas of the lake and the surrounding mountains. 

The Mouse Branch Loop Trail:

     Trailhead: The trailhead is located opposite to the entrance of the parking lot.
     Distance: This trail is approximately 5.3 miles long and is well used and easy to follow.
     Difficulty: It is rated as and easy to moderate hiking trail.
     Use Guide: Like the Thompson Loop Trail, the Mouse is an excellent trail for families and
     the casual day tripper. Allow enough time if you intend to hike the entire loop. With a family
     group on a casual strool, allow 3-4 hours. For the more agressive hiker, 2-3 hours should be
     sufficient time. Bring adequate food, water and protective clothing if your trip is going to be
     more than a few hours.
     Description: From the intersection of the trailhead and County Line Road, you will decend
     following a dirt road until it crosses a stream. To the left you should see a sign for the
     Thompson Loop Trail. DO NOT turn here, but continue on the road for about a ¼ of a mile.
     You will come to a small open area with signs for the Mouse Branch Loop Trail. You can
     choose either direstion. It is recommended to take the left fork of the trail. This is a more
     gradual ascent of the ridge which will overlook Lake Fontana, and the lower Thompson Loop
     Trail. You will be on an old service road for just under 2 miles when you reach the fork in the
     road. Turn to your right and you will proceed on a footpath. There are signs at all the road
     and path junctions showing the trail direction. The footpath is mostly a downhill walk. It
     follows the contours of the lake and crosses several streams. The footpath eventually rejoins
     an old logging road that eventually leads you back to the open area where you started your
     walk. The service road leads to the parking area about ½ mile away. 

     This is a well used trail and easy to follow. Portions of the trail have suffered fire and storm
     damage over the past several years. However, the trail still offers a view of nature in recovery
     and many splended vistas of the lake and the surrounding mountains. 

Right Loop Trail:

    Distance: 11.0 miles
    Highlights: Single track, views of Lake Fontana, creek crossings, shorter 4 and 8 mile loops
    possible. 

Left Loop Trail:

    Distance: 11.9 miles
    Highlights: Longest Tsali trail, single track, creek crossings, views of the Smokies and 

For further information about Tsali, contact:

Cheoah Ranger District
Route 1, Box 16A
Robbinsville, NC 28771
704-479-6431