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A nice, steep singletrack trail with two great overlooks of the South Mountains.


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Map Key

2.1

Miles

3.4

KM

Point to Point

2,223' 677 m

High

1,384' 422 m

Low

839' 256 m

Up

18' 5 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

17%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Currently closed due to wildfire damage.

Description

The trail starts near the main parking area at SOMO after about a quarter mile hike on H.Q. Trail. Look for the trail on the right. The trail is broken up into two portions, the switchbacks and the mellow track. The first 0.7 miles uses many switchbacks and steps as it ascends to the Jacob Fork Gorge Overlook where you can catch a distant view of High Shoals Falls.

After the overlook, the trail mellows out and takes a more gentle gradient path to the top of the ridge. Once at a doubletrack intersection, go left to the Chestnut Knob Overlook with grand views of the South Mountains and the Piedmont. On a clear day, you can see the skyline of Charlotte from here. Return back on the doubletrack where you can take the Chestnut Knob-Sawtooth Connector Trail which dead ends into Sawtooth Trail. From here make a loop or return back to the trailhead the same way you came.

Contacts

Shared By:

Brandon Thrower

Trail Ratings

  3.4 from 8 votes

#24288

Overall
  3.4 from 8 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
38%
2 Star
13%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#968

in North Carolina

#24,288

Overall
2 Views Last Month
714 Since Dec 18, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
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57%
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43%
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Photos

Chestnut Knob Trail
Jun 25, 2021 near Salem, NC
Chestnut Knob Overlook
Jun 25, 2021 near Salem, NC
Heading up to Chestnut Knob.
Dec 19, 2016 near Salem, NC
Yellow Leafcup South Mountains SP
Nov 19, 2019 near Salem, NC

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