Chestnut Trail

Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve, Ohio

The Chestnut Trail is a 2.3 mile long path through a hardwood forest—in order to access the trail follow the multi-use, paved Blackhand Trail for a little over 2 miles to reach the trailhead. If you are coming from Toboso, the trail will be on the left past the railroad trestle, if you parked off Brushy Fork Road you will find it on the right just past the “creek crossing.” Chestnut Trail is a return trail with a short loop at its terminus—the trail begins by climbing a hill along side some Black Hand sandstone outcroppings, it then levels out and follows the contour of the Licking River below. Along the trail, you are likely to see white-tailed deer, and gray squirrels, and upon closer inspection, you might discover a stick insect and a few wildflower displays. Towards the end of the trail, you will begin going downhill into a hollow, it is here that you will find the junction for the loop segment of the hike. The loop trail is marked with white triangles and was once a trail of its own—the Owl Hollow Trail to be exact. I hiked the loop in a clockwise direction and then made my way back to the trailhead to emerge onto the paved path.