Twentymile Loop Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is a short and beautiful trail that connects Wolf Ridge Trail to Long Hungry Ridge Trail and Twentymile Trail. It's also a popular addition to a run for those heading towards or from Gregory Bald.

The easiest way to access this trail is from the Twentymile Ranger Station, where runners will take Twentymile Trail until they reach a junction after about half a mile, and then proceed onto Wolf Ridge Trail. Twentymile Loop Trail is one mile ahead.

From there, it's a 2.9 mile run to Long Hungry Ridge Trail. The run is gradually uphill and passes through some beautiful forests, before eventually leveling out and coming to the junction. While the little Brown book describes needing to do stream crossings, all of the larger crossings now have log bridges to make crossing easier. From there, runners can head to the popular Gregory Bald, where, in the spring, the flaming azaleas are in full bloom.

The Smokies are home to more than 1,600 species of plants, most of which produce an abundance of flowers in the spring. These species include mountain laurel, rhododendron, azalea, and many others. Spring wildflowers peak from early April through late May. To learn more about the plants of the Smokies and even get a trees and shrubs checklist, visit the park's website.

As for local fauna, black bears are common in the area, along with white-tailed deer and 31 species of salamanders.

Birdwatchers can spot a variety of species, notably the northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) and red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus).

For more information on black bears, refer to this webpage.