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The Atlas/West Virginia/Coal Heritage Trail (US-52 / WV-16)

Coal Heritage Trail (US-52 / WV-16)

The Coal Heritage Trail National Scenic Byway follows US-52 from Bluefield north to Welch along Elkhorn Creek, then transitions to WV-16 north through McDowell and Raleigh counties for a total of 187 rugged miles across 13 counties to Ansted. The ride alternates between tight creek-valley two-lanes with switchbacks up and over ridges and sweeping valley stretches through former coal-camp communities. Pinnacle Rock State Park, the Bramwell National Historic District, and a concentration of surviving company stores and miners' housing make this WV's most historically distinctive motorcycle route.

112 mi
Length
0
Verified stops
—
High point
Scenic
Road type
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// Nearby & related
StopWest Virginia
Canyon Rim Visitor Center
West Virginia
The NPS Canyon Rim Visitor Center (162 Visitor Center Rd, Lansing) is the premier above-deck vantage point for the New River Gorge Bridge — the longest single-arch steel bridge in the Western Hemisphere at 3,030 ft and 876 ft above the river. Two overlook tiers: a panoramic upper platform and an arch-level lower boardwalk. The visitor center has ranger exhibits, restrooms, and a bookshop. Open 9 am–5 pm. Bridge Day, held every third Saturday in October, draws 100,000+ visitors including a huge motorcycle contingent.
StopWest Virginia
Harper's Old Country Store
West Virginia
West Virginia's oldest continuously operated store in its original building (est. 1902, fifth-generation Harper family) sits at the junction of Routes 28, 33, and 55 directly in front of Seneca Rocks. The oiled hardwood floors and pressed-tin ceiling are unchanged; upstairs the Front Porch Restaurant serves hand-tossed pizzas, calzones, sandwiches, and local WV beers. The store owner describes motorcyclists as 'probably the fastest growing part of the tourism business.' Open Wednesday–Sunday.
StopWest Virginia
Hawks Nest State Park Overlook
West Virginia
Built by the CCC in the mid-1930s from local sandstone, the Hawks Nest clifftop overlook sits directly on US-60 in Ansted and delivers a 750-foot vertical drop to the New River below. The horseshoe-shaped paved walkway is 80 yards with a handicap-accessible viewing station aimed at the dam and the New River's dry gorge. The park lodge, aerial tramway to the gorge floor, and small gift shop are all steps away. Easy roadside pull-off with no hiking required.