TRAIL & LOOPS

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Pocahontas to St. Paul Loop Trail

A 157-mile historic trail from Pocahontas to St. Paul Virginia through the counties of Tazewell, Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell & Wise starting at the first and largest mining town in the Virginia Coalfields and traveling past over 50 coal-related sites visible from the byway.

Start at Pocahontas Exhibition Mine. This is the site of the famous 12' vein - one of the largest and best quality vein in the nation. Tazewell/Pocahontas - Hwy 659. The seam has all but been exhausted but the tunnel remains open to tourists alongside the old Coal office and shower house now turned into a coal museum. Within 100 yards is the old railroad track now converted into a 2-mile walking and bicycle path.

You will end this loop in St. Paul, where you will find restaurants, gas stations, historic buildings, walking/biking, and canoeing trails, shopping opportunities, lodging, and the home of the Heart of Appalachia Visitor's Center and home office. Stop in for information on regional and state-wide attractions, adventure opportunities, maps and related materials.

St. Paul Loop Trail

The 86.5 mile "St. Paul Loop" starts at St. Paul, traveling along 58 Alternate, Hwy 65, U.S. 23 then back to 58A passing through or by the communities of Dungannon, Clinchfield, Duffield, Big Stone Gap, Norton, Tacoma, Coeburn before ending back at St. Paul. One has the choice of going either east or west on 58A but will eventually end up back in St. Paul.

Norton/Wise/Lee Loop Trail

This 68-mile loop travels from Norton through the communities of Appalachia, Pennington Gap and Big Stone Gap and travels a few backroads past old and new mining camps. The route also takes one past the Stone Face on the Mountain, Southwest Virginia Museum, Harry W. Meador Coal Museum, and numerous coal towns and monuments. Many of the roads are curvy, twisty with just a few hairpin turns . Some of the backroads are not heavily traveled which make this section ideal for motorcycles and those wanting a unique and interesting ride. Within the 68-mile loop, there are over 30 coal-related sites to see.