ROAD SORTIES Scenic Roads

Coal Heritage Trail

The New River Gorge Bridge arching over the river
The New River Gorge Bridge arching over the riverPhoto: Photograph by David E. Fattaleh / America's Byways (FHWA), public domain

Coal Heritage Trail is a National Scenic Byway in West Virginia. Within West Virginia it covers roughly 150 miles. The map below shows its route. Use “Plan a drive” to open it in the Road Sorties route planner — already routing along Coal Heritage Trail with scenic roads turned on, ready to add your own stops.

This byway winds through the southern West Virginia coalfields, the rugged mountain country where the nation's coal industry boomed and where the Mine Wars of the early 1900s were fought. It links former company towns, the Bramwell mansions built by coal barons, and exhibition mines that tell the story of the miners' lives. Steep hollows and railroad towns define the landscape.

Designated for its historic qualities

Plan a drive on Coal Heritage Trail → Drive this route in Road SortiesTurn-by-turn on iPhone · App Store

Places to stop along Coal Heritage Trail

  1. Bluefield

    A railroad city built on coal shipping, nicknamed Nature's Air-Conditioned City for its cool mountain summers.

  2. Bramwell

    A tiny town of grand Tudor and Victorian houses built by coal barons, once said to have the most millionaires per capita in the country.

  3. Welch

    A coal boomtown in a narrow valley, where John F. Kennedy campaigned in 1960; its brick downtown recalls the boom years.

  4. Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine

    Ride a mantrip car into a real former coal mine with veteran miners as guides, then tour a restored coal camp.

  5. Tamarack

    A showcase of West Virginia crafts, art, and food beside the turnpike in Beckley.

    Website

Where to Stay along Coal Heritage Trail

2 campgrounds and RV parks sit within about 5 miles of Coal Heritage Trail.

Glen Jean, WVWood Mountain CampgroundBook a site →Bluefield, WVRiverfront ATV ResortBook a site →Hotels & motelsNear Maben, WVSearch stays →Renting an RV?Near Maben, WVSee RV rentals →Harvest Hosts20% offPark free overnight at farms and wineriesSee membership →

Campsite, lodging, RV rental and membership links are affiliate links — booking through them may earn Road Sorties a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Recreation.gov links are not affiliate links.

Photos of Coal Heritage Trail

Fall color in the New River Gorge
Fall color in the New River GorgePhoto: Photograph by WV Division of Tourism / America's Byways (FHWA), public domain
A coal baron's Victorian house in Bramwell
A coal baron's Victorian house in BramwellPhoto: West Virginia Division of Tourism / America's Byways (FHWA), public domain
The New River Company's Cranberry company store
The New River Company's Cranberry company storePhoto: Photograph by Molly Davis / America's Byways (FHWA), public domain
The Mount Hope Historic District
The Mount Hope Historic DistrictPhoto: Photograph by David Hafley / America's Byways (FHWA), public domain
The stone Bank of Glen Jean
The stone Bank of Glen JeanPhoto: Photograph by Molly Davis / America's Byways (FHWA), public domain

What is a National Scenic Byway?

National Scenic Byways are roads recognized at the federal level for at least one outstanding quality — scenic, natural, historic, cultural, archaeological or recreational — that gives travelers a reason to seek them out rather than just pass through.

← All scenic roads in West Virginia