62 Twentymile Loop

Although the Twentymile area is one of the more remote sections of the park, it receives a surprising amount of use. Expect some company on a weekend hike or any day during the busy seasons of summer and autumn.

Start: Twentymile trailhead in the far southwestern end of the park

Distance: 7.6-mile lollipop

Hiking time: About 3.5 hours—day hike or overnighter

Difficulty: Easy

Trail surface: Old forest roads and forest trails

Other trail users: Equestrians permitted on most of the route

Maps: Tapoco and Fontana Dam USGS quads; Trails Illustrated #229 Great Smoky Mountains; Trails Illustrated #316 Cades Cove Elkmont

Special considerations: The park has installed foot logs at the six crossings of Moore Springs Branch and at the Twentymile Creek crossing. As with most foot logs in the park, these foot logs could still wash away in flood conditions, and without them, you’ll have to wade.

Other: Parking is limited at the trailhead. On summer weekends you might have to park back at the ranger station. There are no facilities here. Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort, with convenience store, motel, and restaurant, is located about 2.7 miles west on NC 28. It closes in winter. Fontana Village Resort is about 6 miles east on NC 28.

Finding the trailhead: The trailhead is at Twentymile Ranger Station. Drive about 6 miles west from Fontana Dam on NC 28 and turn right at the sign for Twentymile. Pass the ranger station and park at the small gravel lot on the right, just before the gate. The trail is a continuation of the gravel road. GPS: N35 28.033' / W83 52.616'

The Hike

Begin hiking up the gravel road on an old railroad grade. At 0.5 mile you cross Moore Springs Branch on an auto bridge. Turn left onto Wolf Ridge Trail on the other side.

The hike now follows Moore Springs Branch upstream, crossing it six times. After the fifth crossing you soon come to the junction with Twentymile Loop Trail, forking right and continuing to follow the creek upstream. Wolf Ridge Trail turns left and swings away from the creek at this point.

Take Twentymile Loop Trail and cross the creek for the sixth time just below a small cascade. Climb away from the creek on a long, moderate grade before leveling out on a contour run to a small saddle. Descend from the saddle and quickly cross a small branch. Cross a larger stream farther down and follow it downstream to a crossing of Twentymile Creek. Once across, begin a slight ascent and come to a rock-hop of Proctor Branch. Beyond this crossing it’s a short, steep climb to the junction with Twentymile Trail.

Paths lead in four directions from the junction. Behind you is Twentymile Loop Trail, which brought you here. Immediately to the left is Long Hungry Ridge Trail, descended in Hike 63. On the well-graded roadbed in front of you, Twentymile Trail goes both ways. You want to go right on this trail and follow Twentymile Creek downstream.

It is 2.6 miles back to the junction with Wolf Ridge Trail, with Twentymile Creek as a constant companion. You cross the creek five times, all on sturdy bridges. Just past the third crossing is Campsite 93, right beside the trail. It’s a small site with zero privacy. A few hundred feet before you arrive back at Wolf Ridge Trail, a signed side path to the left leads a few yards to the scenic Twentymile Creek Cascade.

Once back at the lower trail junction, backtrack the remaining 0.5 mile to your car.

Miles and Directions

0.0Start at the gate on Twentymile Trail.

0.5Cross Moore Springs Branch on a bridge and turn left onto Wolf Ridge Trail.

1.6Wolf Ridge Trail swings left and away from the creek. Take the right fork on Twentymile Loop Trail and continue following the creek upstream.

4.5Arrive at four-way trail junction. Turn right (west) onto Twentymile Trail.

5.8Campsite 93.

7.0Pass by Twentymile Creek Cascade.

7.1Return to junction with Wolf Ridge Trail. Continue following Twentymile Trail back to the trailhead.

7.6Arrive back at trailhead.