Hike To The Spot Where Legend Says That A Chain Protects The Town Of Pineville In Kentucky
By Andrea Limke|Published September 02, 2020
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Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
Each town in the Bluegrass State has its own legends, those stories that have been told by generations and now, we aren’t quite sure if they’re real or make believe. In the mountains of eastern Kentucky, in the town of Pineville, legend became reality in a way when a chain was attached to rocks high atop the mountain. You can hike to this scenic mountain trail in Kentucky today and you’ll definitely want to when you spend time in this beautiful area of our state.
Pineville is a unique town in Kentucky that sits in the valley and is filled with history and tales that span generations.
In a mountain town with so much history, you'd expect a fun legend or two and the most popular in Pineville is that of chained rock.
Some say that over a century ago, the children of Pineville had trouble falling asleep because they were worried that a large rock would tumble down the mountain and destroy their town.
So, as parents tend to do, they told them a little white lie that the rock would not fall because it was chained to the mountain. This story became so widespread that eventually a group of people decided to make it a reality.
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In 1933, a chain was attached to the rocks on the mountain, thereby easing any lingering worries of the youngest locals in Pineville.
The same chain remains and you can take a short and relatively easy hike to see it. This scenic mountain trail in Kentucky is a must when you pay a visit to Pine Mountain State Resort Park.
You'll find several benches along the trail, which you'll want to take advantage of on the way back up. After a short walk, you'll arrive at the rocks that offer amazing views of the town and surrounding mountain range.
Be very cautious as you walk on any rocks in this section of the trail, and definitely take your time to enjoy the view.
Pineville sits in the valley below the rocks, so you can understand the concerns of those children from years ago. On a very clear day, you can also see Cumberland Mountain, 12 miles to the south.
This chain holds a lot of history for the town of Pineville, as well as a charming story.
You can see the chain and the rocks from many angles, so be sure to carefully explore. The walk back is a bit more strenuous, so enjoy the downtime at chained rock.
After you've taken a hike to chained rock, be sure to check out the other trails within the park.
Hike to Honeymoon Falls or the Hemlock Garden, or take your pick from the 12 miles of scenic hiking trails that wind through this incredible, historic park.
Pine Mountain is home to Kentucky’s first state park and is also the setting of one of the most well-known legends in the state. Hike this scenic mountain trail in Kentucky and see chained rock for yourself, and then decide if you think this chain is truly protecting the children and residents of Pineville. Are you familiar with chained rock and have you hiked to see it? Share your experience with us in the comments!
