Mile

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Start

Townsend Visitor's Center parking lot

0.0

L

Hwy. 321

1.2

L

Old Tuckaleechee Rd.

1.9

L

Old Cades Cove Rd. (just after cemetary)

It has few water/food stops. Bring enough

2.7

Bear R

Old Cades Cove Rd.

fluids and food to carry with you for the entire

3.8

S

Rich Mountain Rd. (has "Dead End" sign)

ride. Townsend Visitor's Center is open 9-5

6.3

S

Park Boundary. Gravel surface begins.

everyday. Tel: 423-448-6134. They have

Watch out for Cars coming other way!

restrooms and water. Minimum recommended

9.9

View of Cades Cove

tire width is 32c (1 3/8"). The wider the better.

12.1

View of famous Cades Cove Church

All creek crossings on Parson's Branch Rd. are

13.2

R

Cades Cove Loop Rd.

paved. Don't recommend doing ride if it has

15.6

S/RG

Forge Creek Rd. Gravel surface begins.

rained a lot the day before unless you use

mountain bike tires. 17 miles of the ride are on

opportunity for 41 miles. Short Option

gravel roads.

(30 miles) is to continue around loop

out to R on Laurel Creek Rd., then L

at the "Y", and return to Visitor's Center.

17.8

R

Parsons Branch Rd. (cross bridge)

Be very careful, many steep downhills.

23.9

Stay left on creek crossing, submerged

pothole on the right-hand side.

25.7

RG

Bridge -- Great photo opportunity.

25.8

R

Hwy. 129 junction.

RG = Regroup point if on club ride

30.6

Viewpoint of Lake and Dam

L = turn left

36.2

R

Happy Valley Rd.

R = turn right

44.5

R

Flats Rd. (no sign, has Top O World sign)

BR = bear right

44.6

Very Steep Hill! (0.3 miles long)

BL = bear left

45.2

RG

Top of major climb.

S = straight

48.0

Bear R

Butterfly Gap Rd. (at far end of lake)

48.8

L

Walk up short dirt path to parking lot.

48.9

R

Foothills Parkway

55.1

R

Hwy. 321 onramp

55.3

L/RG

Hwy. 321. Watch out for fast traffic!

56.2

R

Old Walland Hwy (Amoco station w/water,

61.5

R

Across Kinzel Springs bridge

61.6

L

Hwy. 321. Watch out for fast traffic!

64.5

R

Myers Rd. (Townsend Visitor's Center)