Spearhead Coal Canyon
Spearhead Trails (Coal Canyon covers 127 miles of designated trail in Dickenson County, Virginia, in the rugged mountains surrounding the towns of Haysi, Clintwood, and Clinchco along the Clinch River drainage), approximately 30 miles north of the Virginia-Kentucky border and 50 miles west of the Spearhead Pocahontas trailhead. This is the wildest and most remote segment of the Spearhead Trails network, traversing high-ridge terrain above 3,000 feet with dramatic valley views and extensive sections of old mine bench roads that have weathered back to a natural trail surface. Trail connectors link Coal Canyon to the Grundy and Vansant welcome centers to the east, enabling multi-day point-to-point rides across the Spearhead network. ATV, UTV, and motorcycle riders are welcome on the full 127-mile system. Trail passes are required and sold at local welcome centers. Dispersed primitive camping is available throughout the riding area. Dickenson County's remote geography (deep in the Appalachian coalfields, with limited commercial services), gives Coal Canyon a backcountry feel uncommon among eastern trail systems. Cell coverage is limited on high-ridge sections; plan routes and fuel accordingly.