Hiking Trails
Chestnut Mountain Nature Park has just over 8 miles of hiking trails spanning both the Frontcountry and Backcountry areas of the park for people of all ages and experience levels to enjoy. Find trail descriptions with difficulty levels below and make sure to check out our trail map to get familiar with each trail.
FRONTCOUNTRY TRAILS
Papertown Express (Lower)
MULTI-USE TRAIL | Hiking & Biking
Beginner/Intermediate - 0.8 mile to Berm Park
Papertown Express is the only trail leading into the park from the parking lot and Bridge Park. This is an out-and-back trail, meaning you start and end at the same location and follow a single trail to an end point and then return along the same route.
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Papertown Express takes trail users all the way to the top of Chestnut Mountain and provides access to all of the other Backcountry trails. This trail is wide enough to allow foot traffic and bike traffic to easily navigate, passing each other as they take in the views from the upper mountain.
BACKCOUNTRY TRAILS
Papertown Express (Middle)
MULTI-USE TRAIL | Hiking & Biking
Beginner - .8 mile from Berm Park to Turnpike
MULTI-USE TRAIL | Hiking & Biking
Beginner/Intermediate - .72 mile from Turnpike to Old Timer
This middle section of Papertown Express is a two-way trail for hikers and bikers that extends through the Backcountry trailhead to the entrance of Old Timer. Previously bikers were not allowed to ride this section of trail both directions past Turnpike but now they can up to Old Timer. The first half of this section of trail is marked beginner and takes trail users to the head of Turnpike, the only other beginner trail in the park. The second half of this section of trail, starting just past Turnpike, turns into a Beginner/Intermediate section and ends at the entrance to Old Timer.
Papertown Express takes trail users all the way to the top of Chestnut Mountain and provides access to all of the other Backcountry trails. This trail is wide enough to allow foot traffic and bike traffic to easily navigate, passing each other as they take in the views from the upper mountain.
Papertown Express (Upper)
MULTI-USE TRAIL | Hiking & Biking
Beginner/Intermediate - from Old Timer to Sunburst
MULTI-USE TRAIL | Hiking & Biking
Intermediate - from Sunburst to Summit
This upper section of Papertown Express takes you to the summit of Chestnut Mountain where SPECTACULAR views abound! It is a two-way trail for hikers giving them access to Dutch Cove or it can be used as an out-and-back trail where hikers can return to Bridge Park along the same route. This part of Papertown is a single-direction climb for mountain bikers giving them access to Wildcat, Ladybird, and Champion (a double black diamond, expert trail). Bikers must descend from this section of trail using Wildcat or Ladybird and then leave the park on Bear Country.
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Papertown Express takes trail users all the way to the top of Chestnut Mountain and provides access to all of the other Backcountry trails. This trail is wide enough to allow foot traffic and bike traffic to easily navigate, passing each other as they take in the views from the upper mountain.
Turnpike
MULTI-USE TRAIL | Hiking & Biking
Beginner - 0.55 mile out and back
Turnpike is an out-and-back, "lollipop" trail with a loop at the end. It is the most accessible trail opportunity in the Backcountry trails. It provides opportunities for families and kids to get out and enjoy more of this beautiful property. This trail can be repeated to add more distance to your hike. Also, nestled in the center of Turnpike's loop, among some of the park's biggest Oak trees, sit two tree houses boasting beautiful views on either side of the trail. In this area you will also find a couple of tree swings and picnic tables
* Bikes go to the left around the loop and hikers go the right, exiting the trail in the same direction.
Old Timer
HIKE-ONLY TRAIL
Beginner/Intermediate - 2.64 miles
Hikers, trail runners, and dog walkers can explore the vast eastern portions of the more than 450-acre Chestnut Mountain property on this 2.64-mile trail that connects from Turnpike to the middle of Papertown Express. Old Timer goes through several different types of forests and winds near some large old-growth trees and over some beautiful rock formations. Despite the trail not going to the top, it still features a great deal of elevation change as it navigates in and around the deep contours of the lower mountain while providing views of the upper mountain and allowing park visitors to get deep into the forest. Hikers can take this trail in either direction giving you two different experiences and views!
Dutch Cove
HIKE-ONLY TRAIL
Intermediate - 1.47 miles
Hikers and trail runners can enjoy a narrow Backcountry single-track trail that connects from the middle of Papertown Express right up to the top of Chestnut Mountain. Views into Dutch Cove are available in several areas, providing the inspiration for this trail's name. It navigates quite a few switchbacks to take trail users up and down the steep terrain that the upper portions of Chestnut Mountain Nature Park hold. Rewarding views are offered up in several areas despite the dense tree canopy! Visitors can take this trail in either direction as you mix and match to create your own loops.