County:   Lee                    

10 miles of multi-use trails that include ATV's has been funded $400,000 to develop.    Environmental issues must be addressed first. Potential for developing motorized trails similar to West Virginia's Hatfield and McCoy Trail System.

County:   Lee

There are numerous existing trails currently being use.   Two very popular areas is Yellow Mountain,  up towards Wagon Hole and along the ridge crossing into Kentucky and connecting with their trails.   Trailhead in existence that provides parking and access to the trails. 

Recommendation:   Working with ATV Club, map and obtain permission to open trails for public use.

County:   Lee/Wise/City of Norton      http://www.wisecountychamber.org/benge's_revenge.htm

This 100 mile route starts at J.I. Burton High School in the City of Norton then proceeds to The Town of Appalachia and then through Big Stone Gap then proceeds onto towards Pennington Gap traveling through several of the original coal camps onto Keokee then back to Appalachia and again through Big Stone Gap heading up to the head of Powell  Valley back to the City of Norton then the steep climb up High Knob Mountain past “Benge’s Rock”.  The ride ends at Flag Rock Recreation Area.  

Contact:  Tina Rowe         

County:    Lee                                                                                     

A one mile walking trail that connects downtown shopping center to local park along the Powell River.   Funding received.

County:   Lee                     http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?AttrID=15187         

Hiking trails developed in the Cave Spring area include one that leads to the cave and stone overlook and loops back to the parking lot. Another trail leads to the Stone Mountain Trail that follows the crest of the mountain for 14.3 miles and ends at Roaring Branch, near Appalachia, VA.         

County:    Lee                                                                  

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (in MiddlesboroVA) consists of approximately 20,000 acres and 70 miles of hiking trails.  (See individual listings)         

County:    Lee  1.9 mile non-motorized trail in the Cumberland Gap National Forest.     Managed by National Park Service         

County:   Lee   1 mile non-motorized trail in the Jefferson National Forest. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service     

County:    Lee  4.3 mile non-motorized trail in the Cumberland Gap National Forest. Managed by National Park Service     

County:    Lee. .80 mile non-motorized trail in the Cumberland Gap National Forest. Managed by National Park Service         

County:   Lee  4.8 mile non-motorized trail in the Cumberland Gap National Forest . Managed by National Park Service     

County:   Lee  .70 mile non-motorized trail in the Cumberland Gap National Forest.  Managed by National Park Service     

County:    Lee 1 mile non-motorized  trail in the Cumberland Gap National Forest. Managed by National Park Service         

County:  Lee   1 mile non-motorized trail in Wilderness Road State Park         

Managed by Virginia State Parks           

County:    Lee  .60 mile non-motorized trail in the Cumberland Gap National Forest   Managed by National Park Service         

County:   Lee  3.7 mile non-motorized trail in Jefferson National Forest

Contact:  Gerald Garrett to find out more information  (276)546-3011         

The 3.7 mile trail around the 92 acre lake can be used for hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching.      Need more information.   

County:      Lee   1.7 mile non-motorized trail in the Cumberland Gap National Forest. Managed by National Park Service       

County:    Lee  16.5 mile non-motorized trail in the Cumberland Gap National Forest         Managed by National Park Service    

County:   Lee .20 mile non-motorized trail in the Cumberland Gap National Forest    Managed by National Park Service      

County:   Lee .90 mile non-motorized trail in the Cumberland Gap National Forest   Managed by National Park Service         

County:   Lee    4 mile non-motorized trail in Cranks Creek Wildlife Management Area. Managed by State of Virginia  

County:   Lee  .6 mile non-motorized trail in the Cumberland Gap National Forest Managed by National Park Service        

County:   Lee  1.4 mile non-motorized trail in the Cumberland Gap National Forest. Managed by National Park Service       

County:     Lee                                            

Contact:  Bill Sage - President of Cumberland Horse Association         

Currently Cumberland Horse Association is using this trail for trail rides. 

Not sure if open to public at other times.   Need to find out more.      

County:    Lee  1/2 mile non-motorized trail in the Cumberland Gap National Forest    Managed by National Park Service    

County:     Lee  1.1 mile non-motorized trail in Jefferson National Forest Managed by the U.S. Forest Service      

County:     Lee    2.30 mile non-motorized trail in Jefferson National Forest   Managed by the U.S. Forest Service   

County:     Lee 14.30 mile non-motorized trail in Jefferson National Forest     Managed by the U.S. Forest Service      

County:   Lee    6.9 mile non-motorized trail in Jefferson National Forest Managed by the U.S. Forest Service     

County:   Lee   10 mile non-motorized trail in Wilderness Road State Park Managed by Virginia State Parks         

Counties:    Lee/Wise

County:     Lee/Wise/Dickenson/Buchanan (Concept maps available)

Great Eastern Trail - Major trunkline trail traverses the northern border of Virginia and connect with trails in both Alabama and New York.  Anticipated to use the Cumberland Mountain Trail which comes out of Tennessee at the Cumberland Gap, cuts west to connect with the Pine Mountain Trail on its way to Breaks Interstate Park then continues northeast across the state.       

Counties:  Lee/Scott                                                                

Trans-Virginia Southern Trail - Major trunk line trail system that traverses the southern part of Virginia from the Cumberland Gap to the Chesapeake Bay using existing trails where possible including portions of the Wilderness Road Trail and Daniel Boone .  Components of the Southern Appalachian Greenway Alliance's plans will become components of this vision.                       

Sponsors:   The Southeast Foot Trails Coalition and Mid-Atlantic Foot Trail Coalition are heading up the project which is sponsored by the American Hiking Society.             

Counties:    Lee/Scott/Wise/Dickenson                                 http://www.thecrookedroad.org/

250 mile Virginia's Heritage Music Trail                                          

Map:  http://www.virginia.org/images/CRmap2big.gif          

Bike across Virginia Event - http://www.bikevirginia.org/2008/         

Exists:      Lee  Proposed expansion                    

Wilderness Road Trail has been developed between the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park and the Wilderness Road State Park using portions of an abandoned railroad.   This was once part of the famous Wilderness Road Trail blazed by Daniel Boone in the 1780's and traveled by over 300,000 settlers heading west. It is a 10-mile biking, hiking and equestrian trail.   

Wilderness Road Trail extension will connect the developed trail between Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and the Wilderness Road State Park to Rose Hill.  The trail can then be looped through the national park to rejoin the existing trail at Cumberland Gap.                    

Recommendation:  The abandoned railroad corridor continues east of the trail terminus.  This should be extended, and other abandoned railroad segments in the region should be incorporated into this trail system where linkages are practical. 

Counties:    Lee/Scott                                                                           

Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail follows Routes 23 and 58 to connect Scott and Lee counties to the states of Tennessee near bristol and Kentucky at the Cumberland Gap, portions of which overlap the Wilderness Road Trail.  

This route can become part of the Trans-Virginia Southern Trails as improvements are made to enhance user safety.                    

Recommendation:   Historically significant sites along the route should be identified with interpretive signage and informational material.  

Counties:   Lee/Wise                                                     

Taken from website:  “The quaint Town of Big Stone Gap offers a glimpse into the rich culture and heritage of early life in western Virginia. It is home to the "Trail of the Lonesome Pine," the official state outdoor drama, and the Harry Meador Coal Museum. All of the sites within this loop are in close proximity. Visitors are also encouraged to take the Walking Tour of Big Stone Gap, which includes some of the sites on this loop, as well as additional museums and historic sites. A short walk around Fraley Park or a tour of the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is sure to be pleasant and fruitful. For those with more nature-exploring time on their hands, Roaring Branch is known among local birders as a secret birding treasure. With its spectacular rhododendron thickets, cascading waters, and moss-covered rocks, expect to experience a treasure at this site. Visit Lake Keokee to view dragonflies in summer or waterfowl during winter months.”

Map:          http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt/loop.asp?trail=2&loop=MBS

Counties:    Lee/Scott         

Taken from website:    “The sites on this loop are located in the westernmost section of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail. Many of these sites carry historical significance to early frontier passage to the West, led by Daniel Boone. Although the sites on this loop do not trace the exact steps of Daniel Boone, the passageway that led to the opening of the West did include some of these sites, and the historical Daniel Boone Trail traverses parts of this loop. The furthest western site on the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail is the Wilderness Road entrance to Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. It was through this Gap that Boone and fellow pioneers found their way to bluegrass Kentucky. Driving this loop will take visitors through small towns, long stretches of scenic roads, and pockets of lush, maturing forests. In addition to the wonderful wildlife that abounds throughout this area, visitors will enjoy the rich history of these lands.”

Map:      http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt/loop.asp?trail=2&loop=MDB

Counties:   Lee                                                                           

Potential for being designated a Scenic River and establishing a Blueway trail on the Powell River.  

 The shortage of public access sites limits the duration and types of trips that can be offered.           

Facilities for canoe-in camping and public rest stops are also needed at appropriate distances along each river. 

Counties:     Lee/Scott/Wise/Dickenson    

(So does City of Norton/Scott/Tazewell)

County:   Lee                                          

VA DCR - State/National Park with Environmental Education Facilities. 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.  

County:      Lee   http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?AttrID=15187

As one of the largest campgrounds in the Jefferson National Forest, Cave Springs offers a small lake for swimming that is fed by a spring that originates in the mountains above in a cave. There are 41 camping sites, twenty-one of which have electrical hookups.  

Counties:  Lee/Wise

The lake features a paved boat launching ramp, four picnic units with tables and grills, and a 3.7 mile lakeshore loop trail that provides access for shore fishing and wildlife walking. The lake is home to bass, sunfish, tiger, catfish, muskie and a variety of other fish and wildlife. Boating is limited to non-motorized or electric motor boats only.          

Counties:   Lee/Scott/Wise/City of Norton   

County:   Lee         

Unthanks Cave is an exemplary cave noted for the diversity of life that it supports. It is one of the most biologically significant caves in the southern Appalachians. The streams in Unthanks Cave provide subterranean drainage for a large karst area south of the Powell River. The cave was protected by the Virginia Office of the Nature Conservancy and was generously given as a gift to the Department of Conservation and Recreation in 2004.

Limited Access:   Unthanks Cave has been gated to protect the delicate natural communities and species which inhabit the cave passage. Access to the cave is limited to data collection and monitoring purposes.

 Suggestion:  Develop a Virginia Karst Trail and include Unthanks Cave as a stop along the way to help educate the public about karst resources in the Commonwealth.  Provide interpretive signs outside the cave to educate visitors as to the sensitivity of the site and to allow them to “see inside” without having to actually enter the cave.   See Thematic Trails.

County:    Lee   http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?AttrID=29463

Wilderness Road State Park is one of Virginia’s newest state parks. About 200 acres are open for picnicking, hiking and living history programs. Visitors can enjoy the reconstructed Martin’s Station, an outdoor living history museum depicting life on Virginia’s 1775 frontier and hike the 12-mile Wilderness Road Trail linking the park with the 50 miles of trails within the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. The late 1870s mansion is available for weddings, meetings and other special functions. Unique regional gifts are available at the Wilderness Road Outpost. The park offers seasonal living history programs depicting life in the mid-1700s on Virginia’s frontier. Special events: Raid at Martin’s Station in April and Wilderness Road Festival in October. Location: 5 miles west of Ewing, off U.S. 58, at the intersection of Route 923.                   

County:    Lee  http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/wil.shtml

Wilderness Road State Park was purchased in 1993. The park is about 310 acres that lie astride the Wilderness Road, a route carved by Daniel Boone in 1775. The route, which followed a buffalo trace, opened America’s first western frontier. Most notable in the park are the Karlan Mansion built in the 1877, a state-of-the-art visitor center and Martin's Station, a replica of a colonial frontier fort that was on this site in 1775.

Karlan Mansion is unfurnished but may be rented for special events. Bikes can be rented to ride the Wilderness Road Trail, an eight-mile multi-purpose trail that passes through the park. The park also has the Indian Ridge Trail, which is a self-guided trail, and offers interpretive and environmental educational programs. Snacks and other merchandise are available year-round at the Powder Horn Gift Shop in the visitor center.