Editing Chestnut Ridge

{{Trail
|Banner Image=
|Park=Roan Mountain State Park
|Trail Marking=Blue
|Trail Use=Hiking
|Trail Features=Vistas
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
|Hike Time=1 hour
|Trail Distance=1.507 mi
|Round Trip Distance=2.0 mi
|Trail Type=Loop
|High Point=3,025 ft
|Low Point=2,850 ft
|Elevation Gain=146 ft
|Elevation Loss=216 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=Clockwise
|Parking location=36.178777,-82.112637
|Trailhead location=36.178268,-82.112341
}}
{{Trail Map|Other Trails=Forest Road}}

__TOC__

== Trail Overview ==
Chestnut Ridge Trail is the highest and steepest and therefore most challenging trail of the [[Roan Mountain State Park]] trail system. Offering the most remote and secluded hike within the park. Leave the Miller homestead imagining it's 100 years ago and you're a family member headed to town for some supplies. If you want to get away and not hear cars roaring by for a while, hike this trail. It's recommended to get shuttled or car pool to Miller Homestead parking lot to avoid the very long and steep ascent to return. Hike down to Forest Road Trail and continue to either the Visitor center to the left or head right and make your way back to the cabins or campground.

== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From the park Visitor Center to begin at the Miller Homestead
#Drive south on 143
#Make the right turn to the signed Miller Homestead
#Follow the road up to the parking lot overlooking the homestead, or choose to drive a little farther to the cemetery and park
#Facing the overlook to the right of the cemetery, the trail begins to the left between the overlook and cemetery

== Route Description==
[[File:Chestnut ridge trail profile.png|thumb|right]]
The trail begins at Miller Homestead and heads east along Chestnut Ridge until it meets up with [[Trail connects to::Forest Road|Forest Road Trail]].

{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Miles Out
!{{PAGENAME}}
!Miles Back
!Elevation (ft)
|- 
|0.0
|Trail head
|2.26
|3,680
|- 
|0.25
|Cemetery and lookout
|2.01
|3,750
|- 
|0.8
|2015 large blowdown, difficult passing
|1.46
|3,547
|- 
|1.06
|Walk along road trail on neighboring property
|1.20
|3,593
|- 
|1.34
|Steep descent - no stairs
|0.92
|3,544
|- 
|2.26
|Connection to Forest Road Trail
|0.0
|2,912
|}

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
A classic Appalachian hiking trail. You're up on a ridge, but the trees obscure 90% of the view to the surrounding mountains. A winter hike after the leaves have fallen would likely offer wonderful views. 

The typical foliage up top is mostly deciduous trees with a few pines. The middle layer is classic Roan Mountain rhododendron, and the ground cover seems to be predominated with ferns.

The trail is decently maintained and likely doesn't see much traffic. It's a fairly narrow trail in parts and the steep descent is lacking steps in most places. A hike up the ridge is likely challenging.

== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Any seasonal features, factoids, etc...? -->
Historical access to Miller Homestead was not by this trail or the current day road. Routine access to town or church was through the back of the property, behind the barn.

== Photos ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Parking|Marker Title=Parking|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.178777,-82.112637}}
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Point of interest|Marker Title=Trail head|Marker Description=[[Image:Roan Chestnut Miller Trail head.jpg|150px|Trail head at Miller Homestead]]|Marker Location=36.178268,-82.112341}}
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Cemetery|Marker Title=Cemetery|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.180565,-82.110898}}
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Overlook|Marker Title=Viewing platform|Marker Description=[[Image:Roan view from Miller cemetery platform.jpg|150px|View from platform]]|Marker Location=36.180151,-82.110902}}
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Trail sign|Marker Title=Junction with [[Forest Road|Forest Road Trail]]|Marker Description=[[Image:Roan intersection of Chestnut and Forest Road.jpg|150px|Intersection of Chestnut and Forest Road]]|Marker Location=36.173185,-82.090658}}