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Southern Coalfields

Hatfield-McCoy Riding Weekend

More than a thousand miles of trail across former coal lands, with towns where machines are street-legal so you can ride to dinner. Buy the permit before you leave home.

3 daysYear-roundBeginner–Advanced

Day by day

Friday

Arrive and short loop

  1. 2:00 pmArrive Gilbert. Collect permits from a local vendor if you did not buy online.
  2. 4:00 pmShort shakedown loop on a green trail to check the machine.
  3. 7:00 pmRide into town for dinner. Local ordinance permits machines on the street.
Saturday

Full day on the system

  1. 8:30 amFull day on Rockhouse or Bearwallow, the two largest systems.
  2. 12:30 pmLunch at a trailside town stop rather than trailering out.
  3. 5:00 pmBack to base. Fuel and wash down.
Sunday

Connecting system and out

  1. 9:00 amHalf day on a connecting system such as Devil Anse or Pinnacle Creek.
  2. 12:00 pmStop at the overlooks on the way back, then load up.

Before you go

Book ahead

  • A trail permit for every rider, online in advance
  • Rider-oriented lodging with trailer parking, which books out on summer weekends
  • Machine rental locally if you are not bringing your own

What to bring

  • Helmet, eye protection and gloves. Helmets are required for riders under 18
  • Spare belt, plug kit and a tow strap. Recovery is on you out there
  • Trail maps, since cell coverage is unreliable across the systems
If the weather turns

Rain turns the clay to grease. The green-rated systems stay rideable when the black trails do not.

AdvertiseThis space is available

Outfitters and lodging on this route

Itinerary pages carry the highest booking intent on the site. Placement is sold per route.

List your business here

Where you'll be

What you'll be doing

Almost Heaven Swings