Chestnut Hill Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek

This recommended hike provides visitors with a scenic loop through the woods around Chestnut Hill. Miller's Point is around one mile from the starting point and parking area. It's an elevated outcrop of boulders that are more easily accessed in the colder months when the trails are less overgrown (look out for poison ivy).

This area can be buggy in warmer and wetter months. Long sleeves or repellants can be helpful.

This loop has three main climbs as it heads around Chestnut Hill. The first is a great warm-up from the parking area. Head east onto the Lenape Trail for a couple of hundred yards looking for the Mill Creek Trail heading left (north). Continue onto the Mill Creek Trail heading toward the top of Chestnut Hill.

From the top of the hill, head left (north) toward Miller's Point. This descent can be fairly steep at times and when leaves cover the trail, the tread can be a little slick so take your time and watch your footing. Before too long, the trail arrives at a large switchback or turn. Miller's Point lies just north of this turn and can be a cool spot to explore though there aren't any views.

From Miller's Point, continue the descent staying to the left at all intersections to follow Mill Creek Trail toward Mill Creek. At the intersection of the Raccoon Trail, the second more gradual climb begins, looping toward the easternmost boundary of the park before bending around back to the west and the junction of a few trails at Baptism Creek.

Near the 4.5-mile mark, turn left (west/southwest) onto the Raccoon Trail, parallel to Baptism Creek. After 0.5 miles, bear right to join the Lenape Trail for a bit more descending before the final climb back up to the starting point and parking area.