BLACK SNAKE

Cumberland to Appalachia crosses Black Mountain at the highest point in Kentucky and is aptly named the Coalfield Black Snake run. Black Snakes are in abundance in this coal region and you're likely to catch a glimpse or so of snakes sunbathing on the road during the summer months.
Looking to the top of the mountain toward Virginia, you'll see a huge strip-mine. Once a mainstream way of life in the Appalachians, they're slowly disappearing. Into Kentucky, you will come down into the Lynch/Benham area which has a exhibition mine and the Kentucky Mine Museum. Both of these are great spots to stop and enjoy. In its hayday, Lynch had a population of over 10,000 and was the largest company owned coal camp in North America.

Approximately 129 miles
1. Start in Pennington Gap, VA
2. Take Rt. 421 N into KY
3. R on 38 in Harlan
4. R on 624 – Moonshiner’s Run
5. L on 606 at Keokee
6. Take 606/68 toward Appalachia
7. L on 23
8. L on 160 – Black Snake
9. Cross into KY on Route 160
10. L on 119 in Cumberland, KY
11. L on 421 at Baxter, KY
12. L on 421 to Pennington Gap, VA
LODGING
Mother's Place - Pennington Gap
1054 Big Hill Road 276-220-4169
276-220-4169
Convenient Inn - Pennington Gap
131 Industrial Drive 276-546-5350
Wilderness Road Campground - Ewing
8051 Wilderness Road 276-445-3065
DINING
Rooster's Pub - Pennington Gap
41780 E Morgan Ave. 276-546-4190
Countryboy Cafe - Pennington Gap
41751 E Morgan Ave. 276-546-1645
Ruby's Steakhouse - Pennington Gap
131 Industrial Dr. 276-546-6900
El Centenario - Pennington Gap
205 River Bend Dr. 276-546-0044
Zona's Market - Keokee
13040 Rt. 606 276-565-1100
ATTRACTIONS
3. Lee Theatre
41676 W Morgan Ave. Pennington Gap
276-546-4000
5. Southwest Virginia Museum State Park
10 W 1st St. N Big Stone Gap
276-523-1322
6. Trail of the Lonesome Pine Outdoor Drama
518 Clinton Ave. E Big Stone Gap
276-523-1235