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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
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  • Snow Cover Inadequate
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
  • > 96%
  • > 90%
  • > 80%
  • > 70%
  • > 50%
  • < 50%
  • bi-directional trail
  • no data
Trail Last Ridden
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  • < 6 months
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Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
  • Downhill Only
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  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
Contribute Details
Colors indicate trail is missing specified detail.
  • Description
  • Photos
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  • Videos
Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months. Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades. Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors.
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Radar Time
x Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public ridelogs from the past 6 months.
  • mountain biking recent
  • mountain biking (>6 month)
  • hiking (1 year)
  • moto (1 year)
Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public skilogs from the past 12 months.
  • Downhill Ski
  • Backcountry Ski
  • Nordic Ski
  • Snowmobile
Winter Trails
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Trails are colored based on popularity. The more popular a trail is, the more red. Less popular trails trend towards green.
Jump Magnitude Heatmap
Heatmap of where riders jump on trails. Zoom in to see individual jumps, click circles to view jump details.
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      Tsali is a great trail system with trails that mix up flowy fun with some technical challenges. Be sure to check the trail use schedule before you head out. Mouse & Thompson and Right & Left Loop are open to mountain bikers and horses on alternating days so please respect the schedule
      Primary Trail Type: Cross-Country
      eBikes Allowed: Yes
      Land Status: National Forest
      Land Manager: Nantahala NF, Cheoah Ranger District
      Parking google parking directions
      Access Info:
      Bathrooms and water are available at the parking area.
      Disclaimer:
      There is a $2 day use fee and camping is available.

      Jan./Feb./March/April/June/Sept./Nov./Dec.
      Right Loop and Left Loop:

      Horses – Tuesday , Thursday, & Saturday
      Mountain Bikes –Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday
      Mouse Branch and Thompson Loop:

      Horses – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday
      Mountain Bikes – Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
      May/July/August/October
      Right Loop and Left Loop:

      Horses – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday
      Mountain Bikes – Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
      Mouse Branch and Thompson Loop:

      Horses – Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday
      Mountain Bikes – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday
      There is a per-person day use fee for trail use. Fees can be paid at either the Tsali Bike or Horse Trailheads.
      Hiking: open every day
      Links
      Activities Click to view
      Region Details
      • 5
      • 4
      • 10

      Region Status
      Open as of Oct 28, 2023
      Local Trail Association

      Stats

      Avg Trail Rating
      Trails (view details)
      19
      Trails Mountain Bike
      20
      Trails E-Bike
      4
      Trails Horse
      19
      Trails Hike
      20
      Trails Trail Running
      20
      Total Distance
      39 miles
      Total Descent Distance
      18 miles
      Total Descent
      4,109 ft
      Total Vertical
      489 ft
      Highest Trailhead
      2,193 ft
      Reports
      227
      Photos
      67
      Ridden Counter
      7,130

      Photos of Tsali Recreation Area Mountain Bike

      trail: Left Loop
      39 |
      Sep 20, 2023 @ 4:27am
      Sep 20, 2023
      trail: Left Loop
      27 |
      Sep 10, 2023 @ 12:19pm
      Sep 10, 2023
      trail: Right Loop
      18 |
      Sep 10, 2023 @ 12:19pm
      Sep 10, 2023
      trail: Right Loop
      20 |
      Sep 10, 2023 @ 12:18pm
      Sep 10, 2023
      trail: Left Loop
      22 |
      Sep 10, 2023 @ 12:18pm
      Sep 10, 2023
      trail: Left Loop
      25 |
      Aug 26, 2023 @ 9:04am
      Aug 26, 2023
      trail: Right Loop
      45 |
      Nov 3, 2022 @ 8:47am
      Nov 3, 2022
      416 |
      Dec 8, 2015 @ 4:44pm
      Dec 8, 2015

      Videos of Tsali Recreation Area Mountain Bike

      Mouse Loop at Tsali - Fall Colors
      7:04 | 151 | Nov 8, 2022 , Bryson City
      Biking the Thompson Loop at Tsali in the Fall!
      6:21 | 140 | Nov 5, 2022 , Bryson City
      trail: Left Loop
      1:00 | 209 | Oct 15, 2020
      trail: Left Loop
      0:40 | 122 | Oct 15, 2020

      Recent Trail Reports

      Activity Feed

      usernameactiontypetitledate
      DavidSAriddentrailCounty Line Road
      Nov 27, 2023 @ 7:17pm
      21 hours
      Twolf1votetrailRight Loop
      Nov 24, 2023 @ 7:37am
      Nov 24, 2023
      Twolf1riddentrailRight Loop and 2 more
      Nov 23, 2023 @ 6:21am
      Nov 23, 2023
      phhoeferwishlistrouteTsali Loops - Left & Right
      Nov 19, 2023 @ 6:18am
      Nov 19, 2023
      briandarbyriddentrailCounty Line Road
      Nov 17, 2023 @ 9:00pm
      Nov 17, 2023

      Recent Comments

      usernametypetitlecommentdate
      juliegrangertrailMouse Branch Overlook LoopLovely addition to Mouse Branch. A little...
      Aug 18, 2023 @ 5:36pm
      Aug 18, 2023
      juliegrangertrailMouse Branch LoopMostly great condition — quite a number of...
      Aug 18, 2023 @ 5:33pm
      Aug 18, 2023
      vespasianusreportTsali RoadIfVVO oviD
      Jul 3, 2023 @ 12:59pm
      Jul 3, 2023
      smokeymountaintrailThompson LoopProbably one of the best kept secrets,...
      Jun 17, 2023 @ 9:13pm
      Jun 17, 2023
      TeamLizardreportMouse Branch LoopMade one cut through a pine tree blocking the...
      Jul 4, 2021 @ 2:06pm
      Jul 4, 2021

      Activity Type Stats

      activitytypetrailsdistancedescentdescent distancetotal verticalratingglobal rankstate rankphotosreportsroutesridelogs
      Mountain Bike2039 miles4,108 ft18 miles489 ft
      #1,520#8325322723,589
      E-Bike429 miles2,703 ft13 miles384 ft
      #454#1355198155
      Horse1939 miles4,108 ft18 miles489 ft
      #63#54712
      Hike2039 miles4,108 ft18 miles489 ft
      #1,141#724922774
      Trail Running2039 miles4,108 ft18 miles489 ft
      #1,145#71922737
      • By markholloway Trailforks Map Team & contributors
      • Admins: NA-SORBA
      • #11123 - 15,821 views

      Downloading of trail gps tracks in kml & gpx formats is enabled for Tsali Recreation Area.
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