Kaymoor Miners Trailhead — Attraction in West Virginia

We started at this trail-head and that alone was moderate at times in itself. Once you get to the bottom of it you have a choice to continue down 821 steps to the bottom to visit the old coal mining area. Honestly I didn't think it was that bad however for someone out of shape or does not routinely do any strenuous activity I can see how it is challenging. Once at the bottom they have fencing around the old coal mining structures for good reason because some of that stuff looks like it would fall if you leaned on it wrong. At first glance it looks like there is nothing else to do but truth be told you can continue hiking around the perimeter of the old coal mining area looking at it from the other side of the fence. And there is old coal spread out all over the ground which my kids took some home. Again it looks like there is no trail once you make it to the bottom but don't believe your eyes you can either go left or right and make a huge circle around the old coal mine structures that brings you right back to the 821 steps to climb back up. If you've been to Chimney Rock in North Carolina and climbed all of those stairs to the top then you can do this. My 14 y/o son bless his heart was definitely struggling on the way back up and had to stop occasionally to rest and catch his breath. He finished it though and I was very proud of him and it was...

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this beholder thinks this is a very awesome hike for its historic perspective. Some might find the old relics and building remnants to be boring but I thought it was cool to walk through and imagine the miners getting transported to the mine from the top of the ridge.

There are two ways to get here: the brutal, 1/2 mile drop from the top - you might have to scramble back up - or the far more easier but longer, 2 mile or so, hike from the bottom. I'd recommend the longer hike as you'll get to drive the narrow, but fun, road down into the gorge - fun way to see the bridge from the river itself!

Either way will get you to the top level of the mine where you would take the stairs down to the bottom part of the mine by the river - another pretty strenuous portion. If you come down, do watch out for snakes!

Overall a hike worth the effort, particularly of you're...

This trail is pretty intense, especially on a 95° day, but such a cool experience. We were discussing the history of the place for most of the hike, it’s an interesting immersion experience, wondering at what life was like in a coal town. It’s strenuous though, I’m pretty active and hike regularly, but still struggled getting out of there in that heat. Our favorite part was actually before you hit the stairs, so you could get the experience without committing to going all the way down. Even getting to that point isn’t easy though, I personally would never take a child on this trail. Everything at the bottom is fenced off for safety, but you can continue around that area to see the ovens and, I believe, eventually the river. Absolutely recommend if you know you’re physically able. There is decent parking compared to the other trails we hit, maybe 20 or so cars, and there...