Kaymoor Miners Trail Hiking Guide
The Kaymoor Miners Trail drops from the rim into the middle of the gorge, ending at one of the most intact coal mine complexes left in the New River Gorge. A steep half mile of rock stairs and switchbacks reaches the mine entrance. Then 821 wooden steps continue down to the coke ovens and the old processing plant. Everything you go down, you climb back up.
Distance and Route
The park lists it at 1.0 mile one way, rates it strenuous and says it drops 900 feet. The first 0.5 mile descends from Kaymoor Top on rocky stairs and switchbacks to the mine site, where it crosses the Kaymoor Trail. A short spur to the right at 0.2 mile, before the stairs, has a view of the gorge. From the mine, the long wooden stairway goes down to the coal processing plant, coke ovens and town site. The park's hiking list puts the round trip at 2.0 miles. The trail does not reach the river.
Weekday Closures in 2026
The park has been rebuilding the upper half of the trail. During the 2026 work season, mid-June to late November, the section from Kaymoor Top down to the mine site is closed Monday through Thursday and open Friday through Sunday. The 821 steps below the mine stay open, and the mine site can still be reached on the Kaymoor Trail from Fayette Station Road. Check the park's road and trail closures page before a weekday trip.
Trailhead
Head through Fayetteville on WV 16 to Gatewood Road, signed for Kaymoor and Cunard. Two miles along Gatewood, turn left at the Kaymoor sign onto Kaymoor No. 1 Road, go about a mile to the T, and turn left; parking is 50 yards ahead on the right. The park says the lot is small and narrow, and large vehicles, RVs and trailers may not fit. There is a vault toilet but no water.
What Is Left of Kaymoor
Low Moor Coal opened Kaymoor One in 1900, and over 62 years it produced almost 17 million tons of coal. The mine closed in 1962 and was added to the National Register in 1990. Today the mine entrance, a mine cart, the headhouse and haulage, and rows of coke ovens near the bottom remain. The park asks visitors not to climb, sit or walk on walls and structures, and not to enter any building, mine or oven. The rail line at the bottom is active and private, so stay off the tracks.
Effort, Water and Dogs
This is a leg-burner. The park tells hikers to wear good shoes, bring plenty of water and consider poles. The steps are uneven in places and slick when wet or covered in leaves. Allow more time for the climb out than the walk down. Dogs may come if leashed, but think hard before taking an older dog down 821 steps you will both have to climb back up.
Hiking tips for Kaymoor Miners Trail
- Check the park closures page; the upper trail has had weekday closures.
- Carry more water than the distance suggests; the climb out is long.
- Use trekking poles on the rock stairs and the wooden steps.
- Stay out of the ruins and off the railroad tracks at the bottom.
- Leave big vehicles at home; the Kaymoor Top lot is tight.
Nearby trails to explore
- Long Point Trail (New River Gorge)
- Endless Wall Trail
- Stone Cliff Trail (New River Gorge)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Kaymoor's stairs are easier to face with company and someone to set the pace on the way back up. Use TrailMates to find people hiking the New River Gorge, pick a Friday-to-Sunday date in the event's group chat, and meet at the Kaymoor Top lot. TrailMates is available on the App Store or Google Play.