Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Wilderness Road Trail provides a quiet sojourn through the country, despite its
proximity to civilization.
Just beyond the trailhead in Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, you might
catch a glimpse of majestic buffalo grazing in a privately owned, fenced area. The first
2 miles run right next to the four-lane US Hwy. 58. Although this sounds unpleasant,
you are separated from the motorized vehicles and there is something majestic about
riding through forsythia toward forest and farmland. After this stretch, the trail backs
into a quiet and much more scenic area behind a veil of trees, although the path still
parallels Hwy. 58 until the trail's terminus just west of Ewing.
Once it retreats from the road, the trail meanders through nearly 7 miles of pic-
turesque farmland, complete with bright white fences and grazing cows. The route is
dotted with quaint homes, barns, and silos, and the impressive Cumberland Mountain
serves as a backdrop to this idyllic landscape.
Wilderness Road State Park hosts reenactments and living history events
throughout the year. The Joseph Martin House, located in the park and next to the
trail, offers restrooms, a gift shop, and local history exhibits.
DIRECTION
To reach the westernmost trailhead in Cumberland Gap, head west from
Abingdon on US Hwy. 58. Continue past the Heart of Appalachia Gazebo trail-
head and paved parking lot on your right, which is about 4 miles west of Wil-
derness Road State Park. Continue west on Hwy. 58, and after another 2 miles,
