Hidden AT Day Hike Gem At Chestoa On Cliff Ridge

One of the things I have learned since returning to East Tennessee is that there are a lot more places to access the Appalachian Trail (AT) than in Georgia. While there are more popular spots like Newfound Gap in the Smokies and Carvers Gap on the Roans one of the more less known is Chestoa.

Newfound Gap

Carvers Gap

Chestoa

For those who don't know Chestoa is located just outside of Erwin on the Nolichucky River. I had seen the view, from Cliff Ridge, in the large hardback book on the Appalachian Trail. I had been to Chestoa once before to visit Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel & Outfitters back in August. The AT passes right by here and this is where I am going to Day Hike.

In Erwin headed to Chestoa.

Uncle Johnny's

This AT Day Hike starts from the north-side of the Nolichucky River. The is a little pull-off with an empty information board right where the AT comes out of the woods. It then passes a monument dedicated to the Veterans of Unicoi County. If this spot is full there is plenty of parking at the Chestoa Recreation Area, which is just about two-tenths of a mile down Jones Branch Road. I walked down to it (after I came down from Cliff Ridge) and it has bathrooms and river access. However in February it is closed for the season and with it the bathrooms, Oh, let me add don't park Johnny's, unless you have permission. Anyway this hike heads south on the AT and up Cliff Ridge.

The small parking pull-off where the AT crosses the road.

Same spot from Cliff Ridge.

Veterans Monument

There is more parking here & in season there are...

...bathrooms & showers...

...anytime river access...

...with views like this.

Don't park here without permission (nice store though).

The AT crosses the bridge and here you get a wonderful look at the Nolichucky River and the main goal of the day Cliff Ridge. Once over the bridge it is left from Johnny's and then a cross Unaka Springs Road and heading into the woods and up. This hike will have in the range of 1,500 feet in elevation gain, so the fact that it switchbacks a lot up Cliff Ridge is a big plus. About a mile into the hike one gets the first look at the railroad bridge over the Nolichucky River.

Cross the bridge...

...get a view of the Nolichucky...

...& Cliff Ridge.

Beautiful shot of the Nolichucky.

I am not sure if this sign is still there...

...but go left & follow the White Blaze...

...cross Unaka Springs Road...

...& head up.

Elevation is 1,770 feet.

The trail switchbacks heading up...

...which is a good thing.

First look at the Nolichucky railroad bridge.

The AT then rolls up and past a spot with a couple of side trails that lead to a small knob with a campsite. From here one can see Erwin, Pinnacle Mountain and Buffalo Valley. Down below is the first outcrop. This is a spot to be careful at as you have to climb down to it. Here you get the first look into the Nolichucky Gorge and it is stunning.

Headed up & a little side trail leads to...

...this knob...

...& an outcrop with this view of Buffalo Valley...

...Pinnacle Mountain...

...& its Fire Tower...

...Unicoi...

...& this view of Nolichucky Gorge.

Once back on the AT the trail continues up Cliff Ridge to second outcrop offering a more secure view of the Nolichucky Gorge and on this day a cloud shroud Unaka Mountain. In addition it also has a great look back toward Erwin. In all there are at least six outcrop vistas on Cliff Ridge.

Wood Booger at the biggest of the outcrops...

...with this view...

...& this one.

The third of the vistas (& it might be the best of the gorge).

Headed on the trail to...

...a fourth...

...fifth...

...& sixth.

The trail continues from Cliff Ridge to Temple Ridge. While there is a nice view west of Chestnut Knob this ridge is mostly wooded, but it makes for a nice hike.

Headed up Temple Ridge...

...view of Chestnut Knob.

One of the high spots on Temple Ridge.

The AT on Temple Ridge.

I decided to turn around at the crest of Temple Ridge at the 2.6 mile mark. I had thought about hiking to where the AT crosses the old road to Temple Hill and the site of the fire tower which has been removed. Anyway, the trip back was downhill and offered the same great views that I had enjoyed on the way up.

Where I turned around (Temple Hill in the distance).

Headed back...

down the AT.

Down Cliff Ridge...

...& the views.

Once at the road it was back across the bridge and the Nolichucky River. As I mentioned earlier I took a stroll down to the Chestoa Recreation Area to bring the total mileage of the hike to six miles. I will say that I had wanted to hike this for sometime and it didn’t disappoint.

The AT...

...headed...

...back down...

,,,& across the bridge...

...back to Chestoa.

Chestoa Hike Rating:

My Take:

For Difficulty – 2 Stars

For Trail Conditions – 4 Stars

For Views – 4 Stars

For Solitude – 4 Stars

Overall – While it has some elevation gain, it switchbacks a lot so it is not too hard. The AT here again is really well maintained. The view over the Nolichucky Gorge is wonderful. We passed no other hikers, this is not the busiest spot on the AT, but I would say it picks up during thru-hiker season.

Pete’s Take:

For Difficulty – 1 Rabbits Paws

For Trail Conditions – 4 Rabbits Paws

For Views – 4 Rabbits Paws

For Solitude – 4 Rabbits Paws

Overall – This is not too hard, even Deb could do it. It is the AT enough said. The view on Cliff Ridge is well worth the hike up. We had the trail to ourselves...nice!