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| Chestnut Top Trail | ||
| Trail Features: | Views / Wildflowers | |
| Trail Location: | Townsend | |
| Roundtrip Miles: | 8.6 miles | |
| Total Elevation Gain: | 1486 feet | |
| Avg. Elev Gain / Mile: | 346 feet | |
| Highest Elevation: | 2374 feet | |
| Trail Difficulty Rating: | 11.57 (strenuous) | |
| Parking Lot Latitude: | 35.66055 | |
| Parking Lot Longitude: | -83.70892 | |
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 you can take your time through this section of the trail, as there will be many wildflowers to enjoy. We noticed bloodroot, yellow trillium, hepatica and violets in this section when we hiked this trail in late March.
At the end of this section of trail you’ll have a decent view of Townsend on your right. However, summer foliage will more than likely obstruct most of your view.
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
Most of the trail winds through a mixed forest, mostly of spruce and fir trees. The pine needles from these trees provide a soft footing. At 4.3 miles, the trail dead ends at the Schoolhouse Gap Trail.