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

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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

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