Hatfield-McCoy Trail System Pinnacle Creek Loop

The Pinnacle Creek Loop cuts through the heart of Mingo County’s coal heritage, where narrow hollers echo with the ghosts of strip mining operations. This 18-mile circuit winds through reclaimed mining terrain, crossing Pinnacle Creek multiple times before climbing the ridge separating Kentucky from West Virginia. The real test comes at Devil’s Backbone, a knife-edge section where one wrong move means a tumble into the creek bottom 200 feet below.

This is expert-level terrain requiring full-size 4WD with rock sliders, winch, and at least 35-inch tires. The trail stays open year-round but summer heat makes it brutal — spring and fall offer the best conditions. No permits needed, but trail passes are required ($50 weekly). Water crossings can flash flood, and cell service is nonexistent in the hollers. You’ll earn every mile of this legendary West Virginia challenge.