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2.0 miles
Distance
255 ft
Climb
-333 ft
Descent
00:23:21
Avg time
-76 ft
Altitude change
1,719 ft
Altitude min
1,974 ft
Altitude max
1,933 ft
Altitude start
1,857 ft
Altitude end
-0.7%
Grade
-19.2%
Grade max
20.8%
Grade min
4,039 ft
Distance climb
4,528 ft
Distance down
2,021 ft
Distance flat
00:23:21
Avg time
Trail Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Horse
- Hike
- Trail Running
-
Riding AreaTsali Recreation Area
Bryson City, North Carolina -
Difficulty Rating
-
Local Popularity80 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 90 in Trail Running
- 80 in Hiking
- 5 in Horseback
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Global Ranking
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State Ranking#514 in Mountain Biking · North Carolina [+]
- #1,053 in Trail Running
- #1,741 in Hiking
- #131 in Horseback
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeAM, XC
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DirectionBoth DirectionsPopular Direction Shown
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Dogs AllowedYes
-
eBike Allowed
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Land OwnerNantahala NF, Cheoah Ranger District
A new addition. One way trail (counter-clockwise). Good view from the overlook, not as spectacular as the one from Overlook Loop but well worth the ride out there. You can see some neat islands down in the lake. This extension also has some great downhills, which makes it even more worthwhile.
Trail Supporters
USFSLand Manager
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 3 rides
- 12 miles average
6 Months
- 40 rides
- 13 miles avg distance
All
- 334 rides
- Last: Oct 19, 2026
| c1 | c2 | c3 | c4 |
|---|---|---|---|
January | February | March | April |
May | June | July | August |
September | October | November | December |
Mouse Branch... Trail Reports
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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
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- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
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Directions to mouse-branch-overlook-loop trailhead
(35.418050, -83.607570)
Photos
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3 Reviews & Comments
etasber
Mouse Branch & Overlook: 50% singletrack. A lot of road. Some of the road had a thin ride line on it, but I dont really consider that "singletrack". Much of the true singletrack serves as a drainage channel so it is littered with a lot of natural debris (leaves, sticks & some loose rock). These aren't so much "mountainbike trails" as they are trails you're allowed to mountainbike on. Sone nice views, but actual trails are mediocre at best.
juliegranger
Lovely addition to Mouse Branch. A little climby up to the overlooks. Going CCW there were Two trees down between the junction with Mouse Creek and the overlook. Previous reviewer is right — the 2nd overlook is the real gem, though the first is nice too. The downhill after the overlook is fun — couple fun challenging technical spots, a bridge crossing, you get all the way down to lake level and then there’s another climb back out to meet back up with Mouse Branch.
Billroske
Agree worth adding the 2 miles. Don’t be fooled by the first opportunity to look at the lake. The real overlook can fit a good 15 bikes...keep going.
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Nearby Trails
- Mouse Branch Loop 1 mile
- County Line Road 1 mile
- Left Loop 1 mile
- Left Loop Connector 1 mile
- Right Loop Connector 2 1 mile
Tsali Recreation Area
- By markholloway
Trailforks Map Team & contributors - #39840 - 2,444 views
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