Pine Mountain Trail Sections
Birch Knob Trail
Birch Knob Observation Deck, midway of the Birch Knob Trail
The Birch Knob Trail extends from the Russell Fork Trailhead near Elkhorn City to the US 23 Pound Gap Trailhead near Jenkins, KY. Beginning at the Russell Fork River within the Breaks Interstate Park and continuing southwest on the Pine Mountain ridgeline 13 miles to Birch Knob, the highest point on this section of trail. Camping with water, shelter and vehicle access is available here before continuing another 13 miles to the US 23 Pound Gap Trailhead.
Highlands Trail
High Rock Overlook
The Highlands Trail begins at the US 23 Trailhead and extends 7.75 miles to the Adena Springs Shelter, then continuing along the crest of Pine Mountain another 7.75 miles to the Flamingo Shelter, and an additional .5 miles to the US 119 Trailhead.
Little Shepherd Trail
Kingdom Come Overlook
For countless years the Little Shepherd Trail has served as a connecting link between communities on both sides of Pine Mountain. This unimproved trail, extending many miles north and south atop the mountain afforded passage long before motorized vehicles came into existence. However, improvements were inevitable, the trail was widened, graded, graveled and eventually a hardtop asphalt surface was added. Now designated as State Route 1679, this one-lane road, however secluded, was now less useful to hikers interested in a more natural hiking experience. The solution was the construction of a new Little Shepherd Trail, adjacent to Route 1679, extending some 14 miles from the US 119 trailhead, along the top of Pine Mountain, to the Kingdom Come State Park. The Little Shepherd Trail now exists as a premier hiking experience, with numerous vistas and overlooks, easily accessed from several connectors to Route 1679, once again regaining its historical utility to hikers everywhere.