Joyce Kilmer 58-Mile Loop

Description: The Joyce Kilmer loop is 58 miles, starting from the Rattler Ford campground at the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest (south of the Smokey Mountain National Park in North Carolina).
Directions to start (near Robbinsville, North Carolina):
Travel NorthWest through Robbinsville on 143/129. One mile outside Robbinsville, turn left to continue on 143. Turn right at the next T-junction to continue on 143 (curvey mountain road) to Santeetlah Gap (the Cherohala Skyway begins here). At Santeetlah Gap turn right and continue 2 miles to the Rattler Ford Group Camp Ground. Turn left into the camp ground.

Miles Turn  Description Leg
0.0 SouthEast  from Rattler Ford Campground 2.0
2.0 Left  on Cherohala Skyway (NC-143) 6.9
8.9 Left  on Massey Branch Road 3.4
12.3 Right  on Tapoco Road 1.5
13.7 Rest Stop  at McDonald's or Subway in Robbinsville -
13.8 Left  on Sweetwater Road 8.8
20.8 Rest Stop  at Picnic tables and scenic overlook
 (no store)
-
22.6 Left  on Fontana Road(NC-28) 19.2
41.8 Rest Stop  at Deal's Gap convenience store -
41.8 Left  on US-129 9.6
51.4 Right  on NC-1147 to Joyce Kilmer 0.5
51.9 Right  across bridge on NC-1134 5.4
57.3 Left  on Santeetlah Road 0.3
57.6 Right  into Rattler Ford Campground -