9:00 - 13.4 milles / 26 minuts - 9:26
Pineville is just outside of Pine Mountain State Resort Park
where visitors can enjoy the refreshing Kentucky outdoors through a
variety of recreational activities. There are a number of places to
enjoy the outdoors outside of the park as well, and you can go
hunting or fishing in the Pineville area. The Pine Mountain State
Forest surrounds Pine Mountain State Resort Park. Although the
11,000 acres of the state forest have limited access, there are
many overlook areas.
10:26 - 0.4 milles / - 10:27
Pine Mountain State Resort Park
Pine Mountain State Resort Park is beautifully set among the
mountain scenery of southern Kentucky. The Pine Mountain State
Resort Park was created in 1924, making it the first Kentucky State
Park. An array of opportunities are available to visitors within
the park, including hiking, swimming, picnicking, golfing, camping,
and simply enjoying nature. The park is also the site of Laurel
Cove, which is a natural forest cove transformed into an
amphitheater. Laurel Cove hosts the Mountain Laurel Festival,
featuring concerts, dances, and fireworks, is held the last weekend
in May. In addition to these many attractions, 180 prints by
wildlife artist Ray Harm are featured in the Evans lodge.
12:27 - 14.6 milles / 29 minuts - 12:56
Dr. Thomas Walker State Historical Site
Dr. Walker, a physician and surveyor from Virginia, was the
first to lead an expedition through the Cumberland Gap. Most people
recall Daniel Boone when thinking about explorers, however, in 1750
Walker passed through the gap and went on to explore Kentucky. Dr.
Thomas Walker State Historical Site celebrates this pioneer and
explorer and a replica of the cabin he built stands on the 12-acre
site. The house and the surrounding area may be toured year round,
and there are a variety of facilities to enjoy while there.
13:11 - 21.3 milles / 42 minuts - 13:54
Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park
Over 800-acres comprising the Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State
Park commemorate the life of Levi Jackson, the first judge in
Laurel County. The park includes the Wilderness Road and Boone's Trace,
which were both heavily used trails for pioneers entering Kentucky
through the Cumberland Gap. Today, the site is home to the Defeated
Camp Pioneer Burial Ground, McHargue's Mill, and the Mountain Life
Museum. The museum is a pioneer settlement that
consists of buildings which represent the pioneer time period of
Kentucky history. These buildings were either moved to the site or
are replicas of building that are consistent with that time period,
and they house pioneer artifacts such as tools, products of
agriculture, and household implements. Visitors to the Levi Jackson
Wilderness Road State Park can also follow in the footsteps of the
pioneers by accessing the 8 1/2 miles of hiking trails, some
portions of which follow the original Wilderness Road and Boone's
Trace trails. There are a variety of additional recreational
opportunities such as camping, swimming, picnicking, basketball,
volleyball, or miniature golf. There is also an amphitheater which
seats 1,500 and is home to many community events.
15:54 - 14.7 milles / 29 minuts - 16:23
Camp Wildcat was the first area in Kentucky to see action during
the American Civil War. On October 21, 1861 Union troops faced
Confederate troops that had moved in to Kentucky through the
Cumberland Gap. Brigadier General Albin Scheopf of the Union army
brought reinforcements to Colonel Garrard who was preparing Camp
Wildcat as the Confederate troops under General Zollicoffer moved
north from London toward Camp Wildcat. Although the battle was not
costly in terms of battle casualties, diseases such as measles and
fever which followed the battle took more lives. Today, the site is
remote and various groups are trying to maintain it. There is a
walking trail with monuments at the head of the trail which will
lead you to the outlines of the trenches that remain from the
Battle of Wildcat Mountain in 1861.
17:23 - 17.8 milles / 35 minuts - 17:59
Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
The Renfro Valley is dedicated to the preservation of country
and mountain music. Located within the city limits of Mt. Vernon,
the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center was established in 1939 by
John Lair. The center is comprised of two show barns, the original
barn (the Old Barn), and a new theater. Country music, gospel
music, and comedy shows play throughout the year. The slogan for
Renfro Valley is "The Valley where time stands still." So, come,
kick back and enjoy some classic, wholesome family
entertainment.
19:59 - 13.9 milles / 27 minuts - 9:27