The Little Shepherd Trail is a 20-mile road through the Pine Mountain Wildlife Management Area. It leads to Kingdom Come State Park. Black bears, deer, elk, and various small animals and birds can be spotted on Pine Mountain. Here, roads winding through the mountain landscape meet habitats where wildlife can be observed.
Mountain Landscapes and Protected Nature
Kingdom Come State Park and State Nature Preserve protects Kentucky’s third-largest colony of the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), a federally listed endangered species. The park is therefore not only a destination at the end of the Little Shepherd Trail, but also an important place for protecting this bat species.
At Bad Branch State Nature Preserve, you can see waterfalls while hiking the High Rock Loop Trail. As trail conditions can change, check for current updates before hiking. Eastern Kentucky University uses the old-growth forest at Lilley Cornett as a research station and a living museum of natural history. These different perspectives—waterfalls along the trail and a forest serving research and museum purposes—show the variety of nature-related experiences in Letcher.
Trails, a Mountain Pass, and Geology
The Tanglewood Trail runs through Whitesburg and is a 4.6-mile trail for pedestrians and cyclists, much of it following a disused railroad line. By comparison, the Little Shepherd Trail is a 20-mile road that runs through the Pine Mountain Wildlife Management Area to Kingdom Come State Park. The two routes differ both in length and in form. Development of the Tanglewood Trail may continue; check its current status before visiting.
Pound Gap offers a different kind of landmark. U.S. Route 23 runs through the pass between Jenkins, Kentucky, and Pound, Virginia. Construction of the new section of US 23 exposed the Pine Mountain Pound Gap Thrust Fault there. On September 26, 1998, Pound Gap was designated Kentucky’s first Distinguished Geologic Site—a specific historical connection to a geological formation.
Cultural History and Local Collections
The downtown area is listed as a Historic District on the National Register and recalls the beginning of the coal boom in eastern Kentucky around 1912. Numerous examples of Italian stonework are part of this historic setting. Italian stonemasons founded a Little Italy in Letcher County.
Appalshop is a multimedia arts center with June Appal Records, Headwaters Television, WMMT-FM, and the nationally renowned Roadside Theater. The offerings also include monthly bluegrass music events. If you’re planning to attend a particular concert, check the current schedule.
The Harry Caudill Library has a genealogical collection that includes handwritten family histories and published works. If you’re planning a visit, it’s a good idea to check the latest access information. A museum displays items donated by veterans from Letcher County. These include a jeep, a 3/4-ton truck, a 2 1/2-ton truck, and an M60-A3 tank.
Music, Festivals, and Regional Products
Seedtime on the Cumberland brings together good food, crafts, and music. The event has been held since 1987 and takes place annually in downtown Whitesburg on the first weekend in June. For future visits, check the festival dates announced each year.
The Cowan Creek Mountain Music School also has a clearly defined schedule: in summer, during the last week of June, it offers five full days of music classes for all skill levels. Kentucky Mist Moonshine adds a regional distilling tradition to the music and culture offerings. The craft distillery is located in the Appalachians and makes flavored moonshine using whole fruit.
Active Experiences
The Letcher County Recreation Center has a three-story climbing wall with several routes, from beginner to advanced. Those interested in climbing can find a different kind of activity here than on trails through the landscape and town. Together with the cultural attractions, geology, and natural areas, this makes Letcher a destination with discoveries to suit a range of interests.
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