This is a 7.2 mile st roll in a lollipop formation thru well maintained trails.
FS 479 at bent Creek Gap off the Blue ridge to trailhead: Take the Campground Connector trail following the blue blaze from the Bent Creek Campground at Bent Creek Gap Road for 3/4 a mile. It’s a smooth, level old roadbed which follows Bent Creek part of the way. Has interpretive signs in a mixed pine-hardwood forest. Nice bridge right before intersection with Bent Creek Gap Road.
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Then take Lower Sidehill to South Ridge Rd to Chestnut Cove to Explorer to FS479H; then returning on Lower Sidehill. Type: loop (lollypop).