Chestnut Ridge

Chestnut Ridge (log in to submit report)


Park	Roan Mountain State Park
Located	Roan Mountain, TennesseeLocation inherited from associated park
Trail Marking	Orange
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail
FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail
Difficulty Rating	Medium
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail.	1.5 hrs0.0938 Days <br />90 Min <br /> round trip
Distance:	2.193 mi3.529 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 4.4 mi7.081 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type	In-and-Out
Low / High Point	2,841 ft947 Yards <br />865.937 Meters <br /> / 3,773 ft1,257.667 Yards <br />1,150.01 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent.	319 ft97.231 Meters <br /> / (1,162 ft354.178 Meters <br />) – West-to-East
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days	No hikes logged yet
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list	11 trails / 25.3 mi of trail
Parking	36° 10' 43.61" N, 82° 6' 45.50" W Map
Trailhead	36° 10' 41.77" N, 82° 6' 44.42" W Map
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The path for Devil's Backbone Trail is shown in red, while Fall Creek Loop is shown in dark blue for reference.

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

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

The trail begins at Miller Homestead and heads east along Chestnut Ridge until it meets up with Forest Road Trail.

Miles Out	Chestnut Ridge	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

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

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.