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United States KY-1679 / KY-119 Difficulty: 8.0/10

Pine Mountain & Little Shepherd Trail (KY-1679 / KY-119)

Running the knife-edge crest of Pine Mountain, the Little Shepherd Trail (KY-1679) is a legendary 38-mile narrow ridge-runner road connecting Whitesburg to Harlan. Portions are narrow single-lane asphalt with packed gravel connectors and no center stripe, winding around sheer sandstone outcrops and offering views down into Kentucky and Virginia. Coupled with the sweeping hairpins of KY-119 over Pine Mountain Pass, this is a technical, remote masterwork for ADV and dual-sport riders.

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Distance
Distance
38 mi
61 km total run
Turns
Turns
210
5.5 turns per mile
Summit
Summit
3,140 ft
Pass Summit
Surface
Surface
ADV / Mixed
Difficulty: 8.0/10
3D Vector Trajectory
CARTO Dark Matter GL
Start: Whitesburg, KY End: Harlan, KY
Elevation Profile 1,180 – 3,140 ft
SUMMIT 3,140 FT
Pass Summit
Apex Density Index 5.5 curves / mi
Scenic Sweeper Technical Switchback
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Nearby Staging
Wytheville Powersports ~97 mi
Wytheville, United States • +1-276-228-3118
Emergency Tire & Mounting | Full Service & Diagnostics | Touring Maintenance
Brands: Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, CFMOTO
Waynesville Cycle Center ~111 mi
Waynesville, United States • +1-828-456-9541
Full Service & Diagnostics | Emergency Tire & Mounting | OEM Parts
Brands: Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM
Lodge

Rider-Friendly Lodging

Covered Parking
Shady Valley Country Store (The Snake 421) ~65 mi
Shady Valley, TN

The beating heart and tactical checkpoint of 'The Snake' (US-421: 489 curves across 3 mountain ranges in 33 miles). Nestled in an idyllic high mountain bowl, the store is a weekend gathering spectacle of sport tourers, adventure riders, and cruisers resting after surviving the steep Holston Mountain switchbacks.

Cue

Tank-Bag Quick Reference Sheet

Start Point Whitesburg, KY 37.1182, -82.8263
Summit / High Point Pass Summit 3,140 FT Summit
End Destination Harlan, KY 36.8431, -83.3221
T-CLOCS Pre-Ride: Tires & Wheels Controls & Cables Lights & Electric Oil & Fluids Chassis & Stand
DUNLOP
Official Tire Partner: Grip for Mountain Passes
Dunlop Roadsmart IV and Trailmax Mission provide maximum wet/dry confidence on mountain switchbacks.
Explore Dunlop Tires ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

How many curves and miles is Pine Mountain & Little Shepherd Trail (KY-1679 / KY-119)? ▼

Pine Mountain & Little Shepherd Trail (KY-1679 / KY-119) spans 38 miles and packs approximately 210 curves (5.5 curves per mile) with an elevation delta of 1,180 ft - 3,140 ft and technical rating 8.0/10.

Where are the start and end coordinates? ▼

The route starts at Whitesburg, KY (Latitude 37.1182, Longitude -82.8263) and finishes at Harlan, KY (Latitude 36.8431, Longitude -83.3221).

How can I download the GPX file for GPS navigation? ▼

Click the "Download Free GPX" button on this guide. The standard XML file is 100% free and ready to load into Garmin zūmo, BMW Motorrad Connected, Rever, Scenic, or Google Maps.

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