Abandoned ruins are hidden everywhere in the West Virginia mountains. Many of them date back to the days when coal was king in the Mountain State, and many of them are linked with a rollercoaster history of prosperity and strength intertwined with danger, illness, or poverty. Such is Kaymoor, an abandoned coal mine in West Virginia now accessible only by hiking trail. Indeed, the hike to this abandoned town might well be called among the creepiest in West Virginia.

Kaymoor, West Virginia. What tales have you heard of this infamous West Virginia coal mining town?

AkronTravelBug / Tripadvisor It was once the largest, most productive coal mines in West Virginia’s famous New River Gorge. Over 800 men, women, and children (mostly men), including immigrants from around the world, worked here at the mine’s peak.

These hard workers pulled almost 17 million tons of coal out of the Kaymoor One mine between the years of 1900 to 1962.

SeniorTravelerTF / Tripadvisor Working conditions in any mine were fraught with danger along this gold mine trail, however it is now a big part of West Virginia history.

Kaymoor Mine was spared one common mining misfortune: explosions.

Robyn G / Tripadvisor But still, Kaymoor experienced tragedy - roof falls, fires, and electrocutions all killed miners deep in the Kaymoor mining shafts.

Today, the Kaymoor mine and mining operations stand abandoned in the forest. Accessible only by trail, the hike down to the Kaymoor Mine is one of the creepiest hikes in the state.

SeniorTravelerTF / Tripadvisor Accessible only by trail, the hike down to the Kaymoor Mine is perhaps the creepiest hike in West Virginia! Both West Virginians and visitors from out of state love to hike here.

Old safety signs dot the path, reminding hikers of the dangers - and the tragic deaths - experienced by miners and miners’ families here in the gorge.

Mfclingan / Tripadvisor The steep, 821-step staircase down the gorge between the mine and the town site will have your heart racing from exertion even before you reach the spooky skeletons of old, abandoned coal processing structures.

The Kaymoor Miners Trail Trailhead is located several miles from the town of Fayetteville, West Virginia.

Robyn G / Tripadvisor Its total length is just under a mile, one way, but the trail is considered very strenuous because it is so steep and features so many stair steps. The Kaymoor Miners Trail intersects the Kaymoor Trail, which is a longer, flatter trail that runs parallel to the middle of the gorge.

In addition to the ruins of Kaymoor and Kaymoor mine, hikers along the Kaymoor Miners Trail will also be treated to a beautiful waterfall plunging down the gorge toward the New River below.

Madi Ball / Tripadvisor A visit here is really a wonderful way to spend a day.

To learn more about the Kaymoor Miners Trail, visit the National Park Service Website.

AkronTravelBug / Tripadvisor

It was once the largest, most productive coal mines in West Virginia’s famous New River Gorge. Over 800 men, women, and children (mostly men), including immigrants from around the world, worked here at the mine’s peak.

SeniorTravelerTF / Tripadvisor

Working conditions in any mine were fraught with danger along this gold mine trail, however it is now a big part of West Virginia history.

Robyn G / Tripadvisor

But still, Kaymoor experienced tragedy - roof falls, fires, and electrocutions all killed miners deep in the Kaymoor mining shafts.

Accessible only by trail, the hike down to the Kaymoor Mine is perhaps the creepiest hike in West Virginia! Both West Virginians and visitors from out of state love to hike here.

Mfclingan / Tripadvisor

The steep, 821-step staircase down the gorge between the mine and the town site will have your heart racing from exertion even before you reach the spooky skeletons of old, abandoned coal processing structures.

Its total length is just under a mile, one way, but the trail is considered very strenuous because it is so steep and features so many stair steps. The Kaymoor Miners Trail intersects the Kaymoor Trail, which is a longer, flatter trail that runs parallel to the middle of the gorge.

Madi Ball / Tripadvisor

A visit here is really a wonderful way to spend a day.

Have you ever hiked this trail? Do you agree that it’s the creepiest hike in West Virginia? Or at least one of them? What are some other spooky abandoned places you’ve explored in the Mountain State? We’d love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!

If you’re looking for other great hiking trails in West Virginia, check out this video:

 

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Kaymoor Miners Trail, West Virginia 25840, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Outdoor Adventures in West Virginia January 26, 2023 Lysa Allman-Baldwin Where can we find West Virginia mining towns? There are West Virginia mining towns dotted all over the state.  That’s because West Virginia has always possessed a long and rich mining history. And that still continues today.  On your next mining town excursion, you might consider one of the following:

Prince Thurmond Nuttallburg  Stotesbury

  What are some of the best hiking trails in West Virginia? We get asked a lot about the best hiking trails in West Virginia, and it’s hard to single out a few over all of the others. Some are short and sweet, while others are a little more strenuous and get your heart rate. And there are loads in between.  But rest assured that they are all wonderful, like, for example, the following:

The Endless Wall Trail adjacent to the New River Gorge National River The Seneca Rocks Trail in the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area The Big Schloss Trail in the George Washington Forest

  We’re looking for places to enjoy a vacation in West Virginia. There are scores of fantastic places to enjoy a vacation in West Virginia. Whether you prefer a big city with lots of historic sites, quaint towns with lots of character, or spots that offer outdoor adventures, you’re sure to find a vacation place that suits your needs and desires. Check out a few of the following:

Davis Helvetia  Summersville The Briar Point Campground The Appalachian Mountain region

 

The OIYS Visitor Center

Outdoor Adventures in West Virginia

January 26, 2023

Lysa Allman-Baldwin

Where can we find West Virginia mining towns? There are West Virginia mining towns dotted all over the state.  That’s because West Virginia has always possessed a long and rich mining history. And that still continues today.  On your next mining town excursion, you might consider one of the following:

Prince Thurmond Nuttallburg  Stotesbury

  What are some of the best hiking trails in West Virginia? We get asked a lot about the best hiking trails in West Virginia, and it’s hard to single out a few over all of the others. Some are short and sweet, while others are a little more strenuous and get your heart rate. And there are loads in between.  But rest assured that they are all wonderful, like, for example, the following:

The Endless Wall Trail adjacent to the New River Gorge National River The Seneca Rocks Trail in the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area The Big Schloss Trail in the George Washington Forest

  We’re looking for places to enjoy a vacation in West Virginia. There are scores of fantastic places to enjoy a vacation in West Virginia. Whether you prefer a big city with lots of historic sites, quaint towns with lots of character, or spots that offer outdoor adventures, you’re sure to find a vacation place that suits your needs and desires. Check out a few of the following:

Davis Helvetia  Summersville The Briar Point Campground The Appalachian Mountain region

 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

There are West Virginia mining towns dotted all over the state.  That’s because West Virginia has always possessed a long and rich mining history. And that still continues today.  On your next mining town excursion, you might consider one of the following:

  • Prince
  • Thurmond
  • Nuttallburg
  • Stotesbury

What are some of the best hiking trails in West Virginia?

We get asked a lot about the best hiking trails in West Virginia, and it’s hard to single out a few over all of the others. Some are short and sweet, while others are a little more strenuous and get your heart rate. And there are loads in between.  But rest assured that they are all wonderful, like, for example, the following:

  • The Endless Wall Trail adjacent to the New River Gorge National River
  • The Seneca Rocks Trail in the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area
  • The Big Schloss Trail in the George Washington Forest

We’re looking for places to enjoy a vacation in West Virginia.

There are scores of fantastic places to enjoy a vacation in West Virginia. Whether you prefer a big city with lots of historic sites, quaint towns with lots of character, or spots that offer outdoor adventures, you’re sure to find a vacation place that suits your needs and desires. Check out a few of the following:

  • Davis
  • Helvetia
  • Summersville
  • The Briar Point Campground
  • The Appalachian Mountain region