Home › Virginia › Roanoke › Chestnut Ridge Trail
Chestnut Ridge Trail
4.5 ★★★★★ 166 Google reviews · Running trail in Roanoke, Virginia · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Chestnut Ridge Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Popular trail through the woods, plus a campground.
What runners say about Chestnut Ridge Trail
“Great for a stroll, beautiful foliage, but maybe not the best fit if you're looking for that lost in the woods feeling.”
“Lovely, easy hike, though you are still very close to the road for much of the loop.”
Lovely, easy hike, though you are still very close to the road for much of the loop. Great for a stroll, beautiful foliage, but maybe not the best fit if you're looking for that lost in the woods feeling.
This easy, leisurely trail goes through peaceful forest and around hills to the Roanoke campground. For a longer hike it can be turned into a loop hike taking you to rt. 621 and back up the trail through dense woods filled with aromatic flowers. But watch out where you step.
Well maintained trail good for training. Not really any views or major elevation changes. There are wildflowers. So it can be a nature trail.
I thought it was just OK. The loop we did was near the road the whole time and required a small portion of actually walking alongside the road directly and it was near power lines. Other than that it was pretty beautiful, we saw an owl which was beautiful.
Trail conditions & character
“Great for a stroll, beautiful foliage, but maybe not the best fit if you're looking for that lost in the woods feeling.”
“The loop we did was near the road the whole time and required a small portion of actually walking alongside the road directly and it was near power lines.”
“This easy, leisurely trail goes through peaceful forest and around hills to the Roanoke campground.”
“The trail gave me a hike, yet anyone except those with severe problems with their knees or legs, or are in wheelchairs, can hike this.”
“Good trail, well marked except at about the half way mark where we missed a virtual U turn and carried straight on to a road and houses.”
Plan your run at Chestnut Ridge Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitenps.gov
- Phone+1 828-348-3400
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Roanoke
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Vic Thomas Park
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Wasena Park
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