GSMNP – Chestnut Top

This trail is very popular for many reasons. It starts at the Townsend Wye which has good parking. As most of you all know, our Smokies now has a parking fee of $5 per day to park. That will not ruin our hike. This trail runs through mixed hardwood to a ridge top where American Chestnut trees were once abundant. A vast majority of American Chestnut trees succumbed to an imported fungus by the 1950’s. This in no way made Chestnut Top trail any less desirable. It’s still beautiful and can be hiked in and out making a very nice 4 mile hike for some hikers. Other hikers may want to hike 4 miles in on Chestnut and connect to the Schoolhouse Gap trail making a moderate 6 miles hike. Whichever you choose to hike, someone will be at Schoolhouse Gap parking area to pick you up. Let’s meet in Maryville at Browns Shopping Center parking lot (close to the Sonic) at 8:00 am et. and carpool to the Townsend Wye. Pre-registration is advised.