Great Eastern Trail in Kentucky is a cooperative project of Pine Mountain Trail Conference, Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition (SEFTC),and the American Hiking Society. Link to these GET Association member organizations or click on the map below for detailed hiking maps and trail conditions.
Printable Trail Maps:
At the famous Cumberland Gap National Historical Park joining Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia, the Pine Mountain Trail becomes your host. The completed trail will extend 120 miles to Breaks Interstate Park. Currently 44 miles of trail are open, at the northern end. Ledges, caves, and overlooks invite exploration. From Cumberland Gap the GET is to follow near US 25E north to near Pineville, Kentucky to Pine Mountain, and then follows that mountain north about 100 miles to Breaks Interstate Park. It passes through Kentenia State Forest and Kingdom Come State Park. Part is along a quiet road on top of Pine Mountain.
A quiet hiker may be fortunate enough to hear the bugling of elk during the fall rut. These large mammals were reintroduced in Kentucky in 1997. When you are on the east side of the ridge, you are often in Virginia. Trail’s end means turning east where it is presently conjectured a route will be found across the friendly high Allegheny Mountains to the New River near where it enters West Virginia.