Attractions » Hiking/Climbing

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park - More Info

The first great gateway to the west, Cumberland Gap is a mountain pass that was used by wildlife, Native Indian tribes, and later by settlers moving west.

Daniel Boone was hired to blaze a trail beginning in Southwest Virginia through Cumberland Gap known as the Wilderness Road. It became the route westward for pioneers who travelled west through the mountains into the wilderness of Kentucky. Both the North and the South vied for control of the Cumberland Gap during the Civil war.

Today the park consists of approximately 20,000 acres and 70 miles of hiking trails. There are numerous scenic and historic features in the park and ranger led programs are offered throughout the year including tours of Gap Cave and the historic Hensley Settlement.

Bullitt Park - More Info

Located in Big Stone Gap in Southwest Virginia. Bullitt Park is the largest of nine community parks operated by the Big Stone Gap Department of Parks and Recreation. The park includes a football field, tennis courts, fitness and biking trails, large playground, picnic areas, pavilions and a track. Serving as a park since 1935, it is the site for many community activities such as singing conventions, band festivals and craft shows. Bullitt Park was named for Joshua Taggart Bullitt, an early entrepreneur, land speculator and coal mining baron.

Trans-America Bike Route - More Info

This bike route follows Rt. 80 through Dickenson and Russell Counties. Route 80 can be accessed from Saltville (Smyth County) or at Elk Garden off US Hwy. 19 in Russell County.

Birch Knob Towers - More Info

Location: Dickenson County
An elevation of 3,144 feet above sea level, you'll find the 100-yard walk from the parking lot and the 183 stair steps to reach the top to be well worth the trek. Just bring along some bottled water and don't forget your camera. Sitting on a rock outcrop at the highest summit of Pine Mountain, the view from up there can allow one to see Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. On a clear day, it is also possible to see Ohio. The area provides access to Pine Mountain Trail.
Beautiful Mountain View! Birch Knob is located about 7.4 miles southwest of Elkhorn City, Kentucky. It is 6.2 miles north of Clintwood, Virginia in the Jefferson National Forest ont he border between Kentucky & Virginia. The Area is open from April 1st to January 7th from 6am-10pm

Little Stony National Recreation Trail - More Info

Little Stony National Recreation Trail is located between Coeburn and Dungannon on a narrow guage railroad bed that was constructed in the early 1900's for logging.

The 2.8 mile trail follows the stream through a 400 foot deep and 1,700 foot wide gorge. There are also two waterfalls 8 and 24 ft high. You can also see the large rock outcrop at the Hanging Rock Picnic Area. It is classified as being medium in degree of difficulty. Much of the trail is wide and barrier free, but there are places where the trail crosses side hollows and goes across Stony Creek where it is necessary to climb over large rocks and boulders.

Fishing is also allowed along the streams.  The sheer size of the canyon and roaring sound of rushing water gives the hiker an exciting experience.

Bark Camp Lake Trails - More Info

Lake Shore Trail is 3.25 miles and Kitchen Rock Trail is 0.5 mile located in the George Washington/Jefferson National Forest.

Rt. 611 Cumberland Mountain Scenic Drive - More Info

Rt. 611 Cumberland Mountain Scenic Drive was designated in 2009 as a Virginia Scenic Byway.

Beginning in Clintwood, and winding through the Mountains, you will find several tourism attractions spurring off the route. Birch Knob Tower located in the Jefferson National Forest, Airplane Rock overlook, John Flannagan Dam and Reservoir, Branham Farm, Virginia Birdwatching Trail, Horseback riding trails, hiking trails, mountain streams as well as an abundance of wildlife viewing along the drive.

The road is approximately 21 miles in length and ends up in Bartlick Section of Dickenson County meeting up with Rt. 80, only five miles from the Breaks Interstate Park. Great drive for motorcyclists also.