Trip to Cumberland Gap and Pine Mountain
By Chris Spencer
A trip to Cumberland Gap and Pine Mountain State Resort Park
in Kentucky offers some scenic views and history for the family.

A stop at Pine Mountain State Park in Kentucky offers many
good views of the mountains. This was Kentucky's first state park
established in 1924. The state park has dining and lodging. The
Wasitoto Winds championship golf course designed by Michael Hurdzan
attracts many golfers.

A road about 14 miles long loops around the one side of golf
course going into the mountains and lodge. Along the way there are many
scenic areas with the high point being at Lookout Point that has nice
scenic views. The road will lead back on the other side of the golf
course coming back into US 25 E.

Continuing east on US 25 E the traveler will come to
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. The visitors center has been
remodeled and has a nice clean look.

The Cumberland Gap was a main route used in the 1700's and
1800's that opened the way through the Appalachians. A wall of
mountains blocked the westward passage for nearly 400 miles. Many
settlers reached Kentucky by Cumberland Gap.

A drive to the top of Pinnacle Overlook is another good place
to see scenic views. There are also many trails and historic sites in
the park.

Being that close to the recently built Cumberland Gap Tunnel
makes a drive through a definite thing to do for the traveler. The
tunnel is well lighted and maintained. US 25 E. used to run through
the gap and the tunnel was built to restore the gap.

Take the exit to the right coming out of the tunnel and it
will lead to the town of Cumberland Gap, Tennessee. Not far from the
Iron Furnace Parking lot is the Tri-State Peak where Kentucky,
Virginia and Tennessee all meet.

Even though the Cumberland Gap is a historic land mark the
actual gap is not spectacular in looks in comparison to some of the
the other surrounding scenery.

From Huntington the drive to Cumberland Gap is about 240
miles. Take I-64 West to Lexington then take I-75 South to the Corbin
exit. From Corbin follow US E-25 to the golf course and to Pine
Mountain. After coming back to US E-25 head east to Cumberland Gap.
For music along the way take the song Cumberland Gap sung by US Senator
Robert C. Byrd.