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Directions to Trailhead: 

The parking lot for the Chestnut Top trail is located about 100 yards north of the Townsend Y on Rt. 73. The parking lot is on the eastern side of the road and trailhead is just across the street.

Trail Description:

The first two-thirds of a mile of the Chestnut Top trail is a steady climb. If you’re hiking during the spring, take your time through this portion of the trail, as there will be many wildflowers to enjoy. We noticed bloodroot, yellow trillium, hepatica and violets as we walked through this section of trail during our hike in late March.

Spring beauties are usually some of the first wildflowers to bloom on the Chestnut Top Trail in March. Throughout the spring, you can also find white trillium, Jack-in-the-pulpit, bishop’s cap, purple phacelia, fire pink, plantain-leaved pussytoes, star chickweed and wild stonecrop. During the late spring and early summer period, look for hairy beard-tongue, rattlesnake hawkweed and squawroot.

After completing the initial climb over the course of the first two-thirds of a mile on this section of trail, you’ll find a small spot which will afford some decent views of Townsend on your right. However, dense foliage will more than likely obstruct most of your view during the summer months.  

The trail then makes a sharp turn to the left and flattens out for a while before climbing again towards Chestnut Top.  

As you climb and crest the Chestnut Top ridge, you’ll catch sporadic glimpses of Tuckaleechee Cove on your right and the Smoky Mountains to your left. Most of these view points are a result of storm blow-downs and at least one forest fire. Unfortunately, the day we hiked this trail we ran into fog on the ridge which blocked most of these views.