Headhouse Trail

Q: Can I hike this with kids or older family members?

Yes, if they can manage stairs. The trail is 0.7 miles and moderate difficulty, suitable for children 8+. Supervise kids around the stairs and historic structures; no guardrails and preservation rules are strict.

Q: Do I need special gear or trekking poles?

Sturdy hiking boots are essential—gravel and stairs demand solid footing. Trekking poles help on descent and reduce ankle strain. A 1L+ water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat are mandatory in spring/summer.

Q: How fit do I need to be?

This is accessible to most fitness levels. 0.7 miles with moderate elevation gain is doable for casual hikers. It's the stairs and gravel footing that demand attention, not cardio demand. Go slowly and take breaks.

Q: What's the worst part of this hike?

The descent on loose gravel is slippy and ankle-twisty. Go slow, watch your footing, and consider trekking poles. The stairs have no handrails—move deliberately and test each step.

Q: What if the access road is bad?

Lansing-Edmond Road is narrow and curvy in all seasons. In winter (snow/ice), the road becomes hazardous and the gravel slippery. In mud season (March), the gravel trail may be impassable. Check conditions before driving; turn back if unsafe.

Distance

0.7 mi

Elevation Gain

150 ft

Est. Time

1 to 1.5 hours round-trip, including 15-20 minutes at the mine entrance and conveyor to read exhibits and inspect the stairs.

Route Type

Out-and-back

Best Season

Spring and fall (April-May, September-October). Mild temperatures, stable footing, and comfortable pacing for heritage exploration.

Overview

About This Trail

The Headhouse Trail is a short 0.7-mile gravel heritage hike through the Nuttallburg coal mining area. This moderate walk follows a historic administrative road to the entrance of the Nuttall coal mine and delivers you to the top of a 19th-century coal conveyor—a striking industrial structure that once transported coal down to river-level processing. Stairs provide close-up access to the conveyor mechanism, and on-site exhibits explain the mine's operations. It's a compact history lesson with steady footing and manageable effort, ideal for those combining park exploration with industrial heritage.

Highlights

Difficulty Level

Moderate: Steady gravel climb with manageable elevation. Not a lung-buster, but requires consistent pace and caution on descent.

Trail Highlights

Access a century-old coal conveyor system and the entrance to the Nuttall coal mine. The metal stairs allow close-up inspection of the massive conveyor structure. On-site exhibits detail the mine's industrial history and role in Appalachian coal operations.

Insider Tips

• The metal stairs are the money shot—climb them for the best view of the conveyor mechanism and downstream valley. • Arrive before noon to avoid afternoon glare when photographing the conveyor structure. • The narrow Lansing-Edmond Road is the real hazard, not the trail itself; drive slowly and don't rush. • Bikers love this trail for its compact heritage story and low technical difficulty; good first-park option for fat-bike riders. • Park Headquarters in Glen Jean has detailed historical exhibits; pair this short hike with a museum visit for full context.

Best Season to Hike

Spring and fall (April-May, September-October). Mild temperatures, stable footing, and comfortable pacing for heritage exploration.

Hiking Tips

Wear sturdy hiking boots—gravel and stairs demand solid footing.
Carry at least 1L water; the trail is exposed and dry.
Tighten boot laces before the descent; loose gravel slides.
Bring a camera for the conveyor stairs—the mechanical structure photographs well.
Leave historic structures and artifacts untouched; climbing or sitting on them damages irreplaceable heritage.
Check weather for the narrow, curvy Lansing-Edmond Road access before you drive.

Family Info

This trail suits families with children 8+. The short distance and moderate difficulty are manageable for most kids. Supervise children around the metal stairs and historic structures—no handrails and strict preservation rules apply. The gravel surface is stable but requires sure footing; younger children (under 8) may slip on descent.

What Hikers Say

Hikers praise this short heritage trail for its unique coal-mine access and industrial history lesson. The 0.7-mile gravel walk is moderate but compact—accessible to most fitness levels. Reviewers highlight the conveyor stairs as the payoff and note that the curvy access road is the only real challenge. Families and history buffs consistently rate this as a worthwhile 1-2 hour detour.

Details

Trail Specifications

Distance: 0.7 miles

Elevation Gain: 150 ft

Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours round-trip, including 15-20 minutes at the mine entrance and conveyor to read exhibits and inspect the stairs.

Difficulty: Moderate: Steady gravel climb with manageable elevation. Not a lung-buster, but requires consistent pace and caution on descent.

Route Type: Out-and-back

Surface: Gravel (administrative road). Well-packed but loose underfoot, especially on descent. Firm in dry conditions; muddy in wet spring season.

Getting There

Trailhead: Turn onto Lansing-Edmond Road (CO 5/82) off US 19 in Lansing, just north of Canyon Rim Visitor Center. Travel 2.5 miles, then turn right onto Beauty Mountain Road (CO 85/5). Travel 0.1 miles, then turn right onto the road just beyond Nuttall Cemetery Road. Small parking area is located next to the gate at the start of Headhouse Trail. NOTE: Lansing-Edmond Road is small and curvy. Use caution and cooperate with oncoming drivers.

Parking: Small (10-15 spaces estimated). Fits modest foot traffic; rarely fills to capacity.

Fills Up: Rarely full. Parking is tight but competitive only on peak summer weekends. Morning arrival (before 10am) guarantees a spot.

Requirements

Permit Required

No permits required. The park is open 24/7 year-round. Canyon Rim Visitor Center (nearby) is open 9am-5pm daily if you need information.

Fees: No entrance fee. New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is free to enter.

Shuttle Available

Not required. Drive directly to the trailhead parking area via Lansing-Edmond Road and Beauty Mountain Road.

Trail Rules

Biking: Yes. NPS designates this as a hiking and biking trail. The gravel surface accommodates fat bikes and hybrid tires; full-suspension mountain bikes are overkill but acceptable.

Trail Markers: Well-worn road. The gravel path is obvious and traffic-marked; it's an administrative road with clear definition. No blazes or signs needed; stay on the main path to the mine entrance.

Trail Features

Conditions & Safety

Water: Dry trail. No water sources on route. Carry all water you need. If returning in summer heat, bring 1.5L+ per person to stay hydrated on the exposed gravel climb.

Shade: Mixed sun and shade. The gravel road is moderately exposed, with forest cover on the approach and sides. Bring a hat and sunscreen; the ground reflects heat.

Hazards:

Stairs next to the conveyor have no guardrails and require careful foot placement. Climbing, sitting, or walking on the historic coal structures (conveyor, walls, foundations) weakens them and is prohibited—these are irreplaceable. The access road (Lansing-Edmond Road) is narrow and winding with blind curves; drive slowly and yield to oncoming traffic. The gravel surface is slippery when wet and loose on descent; trekking poles or careful stepping reduces ankle risk.

Emergency: Dial 911. New River Gorge Headquarters is in Glen Jean. The nearest Visitor Center is Canyon Rim Visitor Center, 2.5 miles away via Lansing-Edmond Road, open 9am-5pm daily. More info: https://www.nps.gov/neri/index.htm

Crowd Info

Typical Crowds: Ghost town. This heritage trail sees light to moderate foot traffic, mostly weekends. Weekday visits are typically solitary or small-group only.

Peak Times: Summer weekends (June-August, Saturday-Sunday). Fall weekends (September-October) also see modest increases. Weekday mornings are quietest.

Accessibility & Family

Accessibility:

Gravel surface is uneven but firm; suitable for most fitness levels. Metal stairs are required to view the conveyor close-up—not wheelchair or mobility-device friendly. Persons with mobility limitations can walk the main gravel trail to the mine entrance but cannot access the conveyor stairs.

Family Notes:

Nearby Facilities

Canyon Rim Visitor Center is 2.5 miles north via Lansing-Edmond Road. It's open 9am-5pm daily and stocks maps, books, and park info. No restrooms, food, or water are at the trailhead; plan accordingly.

What Hikers Say

Reviews

" Hikers praise this short heritage trail for its unique coal-mine access and industrial history lesson. The 0.7-mile gravel walk is moderate but compact—accessible to most fitness levels. Reviewers highlight the conveyor stairs as the payoff and note that the curvy access road is the only real challenge. Families and history buffs consistently rate this as a worthwhile 1-2 hour detour."

Reviews from Google

FAQs

Is this trail safe to hike alone?

Yes. The gravel path is obvious, well-worn, and short. Cell service is unknown, so hike during daylight and tell someone your plan. The stairs have no handrails—move deliberately.

Can I hike this with kids or older family members?

Do I need special gear or trekking poles?

How fit do I need to be?

What's the worst part of this hike?

What if the access road is bad?