Kentucky Highpoint
Black Mountain
4,145 ft · Cumberland Mountains · Harlan County
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The summit pin marks Black Mountain. The access pin marks the Black Mountain Ridge Road turn near the Kentucky and Virginia line; the rough summit road continues west toward the FAA radar and highpoint area.
USGS-derived Black Mountain summit locationStandard route
Black Mountain Ridge Road · near-summit walk
From KY/VA 160 near the state line, follow Black Mountain Ridge Road west toward the FAA radar installation. When road conditions or vehicle clearance warrant, park before the rough final section and walk the remaining short road to the highpoint area and former fire-tower site.
Distance
About 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
About 50 ft
Route
Out & back
Difficulty
Easy
Trailhead
Near-summit Black Mountain Ridge Road parking
Typical hazards: Deep potholes, loose rock, mud, snow or ice, steep roadside drop-offs, service vehicles, fog, and limited cellular coverage.
The near-summit walk is approximately 0.4 mile round trip when driving the rough access road to the radar-area parking. Low-clearance vehicles or poor road conditions may require parking at Route 160 and walking the longer approach.
HikeArizona: Black Mountain near-summit routeAlternative routes
Black Mountain Ridge Road from KY/VA 160
Park near the state-line overlook and walk Black Mountain Ridge Road instead of driving the rough service road.
This is the safer option when snow, ice, heavy rain, deep ruts, or vehicle clearance make the summit road unsuitable for driving.
DWHike: Black Mountain highpoint routeAccess
Black Mountain Ridge Road
The summit approach leaves KY/VA 160 near the Kentucky-Virginia state line. Look for Black Mountain Ridge Road and the FAA radar route rather than treating the highway highpoint sign as the actual summit.
Parking choice depends on road and vehicle conditions.
Black Mountain Ridge Road is rough; vehicle suitability depends on clearance and current road and weather conditions. The overlook near Route 160 provides a parking option for the full road walk when conditions permit.
Park amenities
- Route 160 overlook parking
- Limited near-summit roadside parking
- Highpoint marker and survey marks
Know before you go
Black Mountain access basics
Stay on Black Mountain Ridge Road and the established highpoint area.
Do not enter fenced FAA, communications, mining, or utility facilities.
Respect adjacent private and protected lands.
Use the Route 160 parking option when road conditions are unsuitable for your vehicle.
Pack out all trash and leave survey markers undisturbed.
Conditions
Check before leaving
Highpointers Club lists no access restrictions for the Kentucky highpoint. Keep that guidance specific to the recognized approach along Black Mountain Ridge Road and the established summit area: Kentucky's conservation-easement page identifies private land with research-only access. Respect surrounding private and protected land and active communications and radar facilities; nearby service roads are not public sightseeing routes.