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This easy, nearby-for-us walk was on this pretty fall day very much as it always is – pleasant, peopled by South Roanoke couples and the occasional runner, and satisfying for its quick completion on a busy weekend.
We walked it in the direction we usually do, heading down to Va. 672 and getting the muddy, semi-urban part of the trek out of the way first. From there, there are a few more residences along the way, growing in size from the trailers just up the hill from the road to the South Roanoke mansions peeking through the trees near the high point of the loop.
Walking in this direction also saves the best for last, as the final mile-plus is the most consistently wooded and isolated-feeling (though it’s not) section.
We had the parking lot to ourselves when we pulled in at 12:30 or so, and arrived back to a half dozen cars.
Chestnut Ridge Loop Trail near Mill Mountain, Roanoke. 5.4 miles.
How to get there: From Roanoke, up Walnut Avenue as it changes to Mill Mountain Parkway, past Star turnoff and campground entrance to parking lot on the left.
