Wilderness Road Heritage Highway
Nature and culture in southern Kentucky
| Departure: | Middlesboro, Kentucky |
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| Destination: | Berea, Kentucky |
| Time to allow: | 2 days |
Travel the Wilderness Road Heritage Highway and enjoy scenery, wildlife, and arts and crafts.
Day 1
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Start: Middlesboro
Middlesboro offers an appealing, pedestrian oriented architectural heritage and interesting sites like the Canal Walk and county museum.
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Stop 1: Pineville
Directions from previous place: Take 25E and head north to Pineville.
Distance from Previous Site: 10 miles / 16.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 15 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour Pineville is a pedestrian friendly and relaxing town along the Wilderness Heritage Highway.
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Stop 2: Pine Mountain State Resort Park
Directions from previous place: Return to Pineville. From Pineville, take I-75 to exit 29 at Corbin onto US 25E.
Distance from Previous Site: 10 miles / 16.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 15 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours Pine Mountain State Resort Park is the first park in the state system, and it offers outstanding views from atop Pine Mountain in the lodge.
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Overnight Point: Barbourville
Directions from previous place: Continue on 25E and head northwest.
Distance from Previous Site: 17 miles / 27.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 28 minutes Barbourville is home to Union College. With plenty of lodging opportunities, it's a good spot to spend the evening.
Total Distance Traveled in Day 1: 37 miles / 59.2 km
Day 2
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Stop 1: Dr. Thomas Walker State Historical Site
Directions from previous place: Take Exit 29 from I-75 and drive south on US 25E to Barbourville.
Distance from Previous Site: 2.5 miles / 4.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 5 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 15 minutes Cabin and site of Dr. Walker's early homestead in Kentucky. Dr. Walker was the first pioneer to find the Gap and then explore Kentucky.
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Stop 2: Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park
Directions from previous place: Take US 25 from the Byway.
Distance from Previous Site: 15 miles / 24.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 25 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours The Mountain Life Museum provides costumed interpretation of a settlement village. Hiking trails also invite you to spend some extra time here.
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Stop 3: Camp Wildcat
Directions from previous place: Located just off of Wilderness Road on the east side of the Byway.
Distance from Previous Site: 10 miles / 16.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 15 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour Camp Wildcat is the site of the first Civil War engagement in Kentucky. Participate in activities to get a close look at Civil War history.
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Stop 4: Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
Directions from previous place: Located within Renfro Valley, just off of the Byway.
Distance from Previous Site: 15 miles / 24.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 25 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours History and culture come alive at Renfro Valley. Catch some concerts at one of many legendary venues, whether at a bluegrass festival or a gospel revival show.
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End: Berea
Enjoy some culture through the many options in Berea.
