Western North Carolina boasts some of the best places to hop on a bike in the country. With the countless scenic trails in the Smoky Mountain region, you can’t say it’s much of a surprise. In fact, the Tsali Recreation Area in particular has been rated one of the top 10 places to ride in the USA. 40 miles in total, the trails span over a peninsula on Fontana Lake, offering stretches of beautiful wooded land, lakeshores and hilltops. This place is what bikes were made for. In Cherokee is the Fire Mountain Trail System some say may be the newest flowiest trail in the Southeast which is 10 1/2 miles. Another great spot to check out is the Jackrabbit Mountain Bike and Hiking Trail Project in Clay County. This too is on a peninsula, only on Lake Chatuge instead. The trails vary in skill level to satisfy all riders’ needs. Fires Creek is another great trail in Clay County. Panthertown Trail System over in Jackson County has multiple trails. If you need a place to rent a bike or to pick up some accessories on your way, visit some of the shops around like the one at Nantahala Outdoor Center, Tsali Cycles and Smoky Mountain Bicycles in Franklin. They’ll hook you up and send you off right!
