Buchanan County: Elk, Trails and Mining History

The Appalachian Backroads–Ridge Runner Trail forms a 112-mile loop through the heart of Buchanan County. The Coal Canyon trail system offers wildlife viewing, scenic overlooks and two ATV riding areas. Elk, former coal mining and the courthouse in Grundy also tell different chapters of the region’s story. The offerings vary by activity and theme, from motorized trails and wildlife viewing to hiking trails and places of historical interest.

ATV Trails and Southern Gap

The Coal Canyon trail system in Buchanan County offers wildlife viewing, scenic overlooks and two ATV riding areas. Breaks Park Southern Gap is at the trailhead of the Coal Canyon ATV/OHV/mountain biking trail from Spearhead Trails. More than 200 miles of ATV and dirt bike trails and 7,900 acres are associated with Breaks Park Southern Gap. The mileage and acreage figures convey different aspects of the scale of the connected offering.

Breaks Park Southern Gap also offers an ATV-friendly campground with cabins, RV sites with full hookups and tent sites. The 7,500-square-foot Southern Gap Visitor Center brings together wildlife exhibits, an observation deck with panoramic views, and a gift shop featuring regional crafts. Public wildlife-viewing blinds near the visitor center at the Coal Canyon ATV trailhead are accessible by car.

Elk and Birdwatching

The focus area identified for Virginia elk restoration in Buchanan County between 2012 and 2014 covered 2,600 acres at an average elevation of 2,000 feet. The area had previously been shaped by extensive coal mining. More than 200 elk live in the county, with a range covering at least 30 square miles. The animals regularly use the entire corridor from Breaks through Southern Gap toward Grundy.

Wildlife viewing is also a focus at Poplar Gap, where rare species such as the Dickcissel and Northern Bobwhite Quail occur. Poplar Gap/Sunset Hollow is one of the Buchanan County sites along the Lonesome Pine Loop of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail. Poplar Gap Park is a multipurpose park with beautiful views, picnic areas, restrooms, playgrounds and sports fields.

Hiking, Biking and Fishing

The Michael D. Young Hiking/Biking Trail is a 2.8-mile natural-surface trail with moderately steep changes in elevation, springs, historic coal mining blocks and abandoned coal cars. It is open to pedestrians and mountain bikes only. At the eastern trailhead in Grundy, on Highway 83 or Edgewater Drive, there is a large gravel parking area, a bridge to the trail and signage.

Nearby, the Flatwoods Multiuse Trail System offers hiking and biking trails ranging from 1 to 5 miles long. Compared with the 2.8-mile Michael D. Young Trail, these distances show that the Flatwoods system includes both shorter trails and routes up to 5 miles. For a different kind of outing, there are two fishing spots. Bank fishing for smallmouth bass is possible along the Levisa River; Dismal Creek offers fishing in waters stocked with rainbow trout.

History and Routes in the County

The Buchanan County Courthouse in Grundy reflects the importance placed on law and order during Buchanan County’s early coal-mining boom. This historical perspective adds a look at the local community to the landscape history of the former coal-mining area.

The Appalachian Backroads–Ridge Runner Trail forms a 112-mile loop through the heart of Buchanan County. A substantial part of the route follows Route 80, known as the Great 80 Curves of Challenge. Corridor Q is also part of the area’s transportation development: an adjacent 8.4-mile section to Route 744, also called Southern Gap Road, opened to the public in November 2023. Corridor Q is being built along Route 460/121 to provide the area with a modern and safe transportation system.

Discover more destinations: Grundy, Essex County, Hanover County, Patrick County, Alexandria, Fairfax City, Danville and Appomattox County.

For the main travel overview: Virginia.