The Hytop Loop travels 67 miles over some of the most beautiful and unusual roads in the area. The route is almost continuously up-and-down, mostly gently rolling but it includes several hills and one long climb. The second rest stop, at mile 31, is currently CLOSED so stock up at the first stop, it's 39 miles to the second stop. Directions to start:   The Paint Rock Valley High School is located about 45 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, 250 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% average 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 Closed  Keith Springs Market/Restaurant
 (Currently CLOSED)		 -
31.2 Continue  north on TN-16 0.8
32.0 Begin Descent  766' in 1.4 miles
 10.4% average 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 Left  Gore Street 0.7
49.4 Right  on TN-97 / Francisco Road 1.4
50.8 Begin climb  200' in one mile, 4% avg grade 3.0
53.8 Continue  TN-97 becomes AL-65 at the
 Alabama state line (Sharp left
 curve at bottom of descent)		 10.0
63.8 Right  to stay on AL-65 3.1
66.9 Right-Left  Finish at
 Paint Rock Valley High School		 -