Devils Triangle Scenic Drive Directions

 

Scenic Drive -Devil’s Triangle

by Dana Koogler 

The Devil’s Triangle is billed to motorcyclist’s as a challenge and the name is supposed to be their “hype” to get everyone interested. It is a curvy road and while I’m sure it probably is hard on a motorcycle I consider it just a beautiful scenic drive. Lots of pretty scenery, history, and interesting abandoned places and things.

Here is a link to a blog I wrote about a modified trip we took that included a ton of fascinating spots.

https://cumberlandgal.blogspot.com/2020/07/scouting-trip-23-devils-triangle.html

Driving Directions:

To make a 44 mile triangle ride it consists of Hwy 116 that runs out to Stainville, as the top point of the triangle.... then goes down the other arm of Hwy 116 heading through Graves Gap toward Laurel Grove then on to Hwy 330 to close that final arm of the triangle.. you turn onto Hwy 62 at Oliver Springs.

Scenes along it are the beautiful Fork Mountain Baptist church with its bright red bridge.

Various spots to view the New River or if you have a four wheel drive SUV you can drive through the river in Summer. Lots of wildflowers in Spring and Summer. Beautiful foliage in Autumn.

Old bridge abutments and abandoned houses and old stores.

Coal washing plants.

The New River train .. the abandoned one is behind the old coal washing plant at New River. You have to cross a bridge behind the plant and it is sitting there on the old tracks.

Rosedale Elementary School now has a restaurant, lodging and a museum in there!

The W.L. Coker Store which is open every day but Sunday.

Ligias Fork Cabins and their neat plank bridge and suspension bridge.

They have camping for RVs, tents, and rental cabins!

Head out to Briceville and have a look at the “haunted” Drummond Railroad bridge and the Briceville church and cemeteries where the victims of mining disasters are interred.

You can see the Miner’s Circle Cemetery based on Welsh mining traditional burials.

Out at Slate Hollow there is the bottom portion of the abandoned air base that used to run a tram up the mountain to carry the workers both military and civilian to work and back again.

We wrapped up our visit on the way home with a stop at Freddy’s Frozen Custard for steak burgers and fries and a cold drink. Yummy! It is located in Oak Ridge along the main drag.

** I have listed the high spots, but these are not the only things to see. To make the most of a trip you have to be what?? Nosey. Explore a little. Take that side road and see what’s out there! You never know what you might happen upon.