Wise County: Hiking Trails, Nature, and Appalachian Heritage

Wise County brings together hiking routes, lakes, and places connected to Appalachian history. For planning your trip, it helps to consider the differences: trails vary in length and theme, wildlife viewing ranges from bird species to wild animals, and the museums focus on different aspects of history.

Hiking Trails and Historic Traces

The Sugar Hill Unit of Clinch River State Park is open for hiking, cycling, and fishing. The site contains the remains of an 18th-century French settlement. Nearly 8 miles of hiking trails add to the unit’s offerings. Check conditions before your trip. That way, you can combine your visit with physical activity without losing sight of the historic traces.

Several specific distances are available for trails of different lengths: The High Knob Lake Trail is 1.3 miles long and leads to High Knob Lake. The Phillips Creek Loop Trail is a 1.2-mile self-guided trail; in suitable weather, it has a waterfall as well as old-growth forest. The Pine Mountain Trail follows the ridge of the Cumberland Mountains and is 26 miles long. The routes range from a short loop to a considerably longer trail along the mountain ridge.

The 3.7-mile loop along the shore of Lake Keokee offers shore fishing and the chance to observe nature on foot. The lake also has a paved boat launch ramp. The Red Fox Trail is a 1.5-mile historical interpretive trail connected to the 1892 massacre at a site known as “the killing rock.” The trail is designated as moderate for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding.

Lakes, Rivers, and Wildlife Viewing

At High Knob, a 4-acre lake is surrounded by a shoreline trail. At elevations above 3,500 feet, birdwatchers at High Knob can spot some migratory bird species that typically breed in the spruce-fir forests of the Blue Ridge. This connection to these forest types gives birdwatching a different focus from observing foxes and black bears, which is possible along the Appalachian Wonders Loop in the Cumberland Plateau.

Other bodies of water offer different activities: Big Cherry Lake is suitable for kayaking, fishing, and hiking. Phillips Creek Recreation Area offers opportunities for picnicking and swimming; seasonal conditions may vary. Trails around Wise Reservoir allow you to explore the surrounding mixed forests. The reservoir is also heavily used by anglers and picnickers and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Saint Paul Loop has six wildlife-viewing sites in wetland, montane, and extensive forest habitats. For a river landscape to compare, Pound River offers another option: the section from Old Mill Village Launch Area to Poodle Joe has no rapids and features deep spots for fishing or swimming. A remote wilderness stretches downstream from the launch area for the next 8 miles. On the right bank of the river is the Cumberland Forest-Highlands property, managed by The Nature Conservancy.

The Heart of Appalachia Bike Route and Scenic Drive is a 128-mile route that leads to Guest River Gorge in Wise County. If you are considering cycling the route, check trail conditions before setting out. The Mountain View Trail System has access points in Coeburn and St. Paul. The two access points and the route to Guest River Gorge are separate landmarks, not information about a continuous trail.

Museums, Theater, and Events

The museums focus on different subjects. The Mountain Heritage Museum and Gallery displays hundreds of artifacts related to coal mining, timber harvesting, railroads, agriculture, the Civil War, Indigenous history, and Appalachian natural history. The Lonesome Pine School & Heritage Center preserves historic memorabilia from communities and schools in southwestern Virginia. Exhibits at the Harry W. Meador Coal Museum include photographs, mining equipment and tools, office equipment, items from coal companies, and a small dentist’s office from the early 1900s.

The John Fox, Jr. Museum is housed in a family home with its original turn-of-the-century furnishings. The Trail of the Lonesome Pine is Virginia’s official outdoor theater and the Commonwealth of Virginia’s longest-running outdoor theater. These places and institutions complement the trails with different forms of cultural heritage, from collections on labor and regional history to theater.

Annual events include Coal Railroad Days, held on the first weekend in August. Another festival is the Appalachian Heritage Festival. Its program includes arts and crafts booths, food, live music, and historical reenactments, including a bank robbery and a shootout. The Home Craft Days Festival is held annually on the third weekend in October. The program includes concerts, arts and crafts booths, and demonstrations of weaving, pottery, grain milling, woodworking, basket weaving, broom making, quilting, and lace making. If an event is a deciding factor in your trip, check the dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Big Stone Gap, Wise.

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