The Hytop Loop travels 66 miles over some of the most beautiful and unusual roads in the area. There's little traffic and the roads are mostly smooth, with some moderately rough pavement near the middle. The route is almost continuously up-and-down, mostly gently rolling but it includes several hills and one long climb. Directions to start:   The Paint Rock Valley High School is located about 40 minutes from Huntsville in the small town of Princeton. From Huntsville take I-565 east to HWY-72...

Travel East on HWY-72 15.4 miles to AL-65 (two miles past Gurley, just as HWY-72 curves to the right) and turn Left/North

Travel North on AL-65 14.5 miles to Princeton. The high school is located on the left, just past the Princeton Post Office, about 200 feet down AL-3.

Miles Turn  Description Leg
0.0 Right-Left  east on AL-65 3.1
3.1 Right  on AL-146 0.6
3.7 Begin Climb  1030' in 2.7 miles, 7.2% avg grade 5.7
9.4 Rest Stop  convenience store at intersection -
9.4 Left  north on AL-79 10.3
19.7 Continue  AL-79 becomes TN-16 at the Tennessee state line 11.5
31.2 Rest Stop  Keith Springs Market/Restaurant on left -
31.2 Continue  north on TN-16 0.8
32.0 Begin Descent  766' in 1.4 miles, 10.4% avg grade 2.4
34.4 Left  on Farris Chappel Road 0.9
35.3 Left  on Farris Lane (watch - hidden road sign) 0.9
36.2 Left  on Roggli Road 0.1
36.3 Right  on Shockley Road 0.5
36.8 Left  on Crawford Lane 0.6
   
Miles Turn  Description Leg
37.4 Left  on Buncombe Road (first left)
(climb 140' in 0.5 miles, 5%)		 5.5
42.9 Left  on Hickory Grove Road (watch - easy to miss) 1.0
43.9 Right  to stay on Hickory Grove Road 2.9
46.8 Bear Left  on Beans Creek Road 0.4
47.2 Continue  Beans Creek Road becomes Alabama Street 0.7
47.9 Right-Left-Right  onto Main Street 0.3
48.2 Rest Stop  convenience store on right -
48.2 South  on Main Street 0.5
48.7 Continue  Main Street becomes Elora Road 1.2
49.9 Left  on Owens Lane 1.1
51.0 Right  on TN-97
(climb 200' in one mile, 4%)		 3.2
54.2 Continue  TN-97 becomes AL-65 at the Alabama state line 10.0
64.2 Right  to stay on AL-65 3.1
67.3 Right-Left  Finish at Paint Rock Valley High School -