Matewan Area

The Matewan Area is ground zero for American feud history and one of the most historically significant trailheads in the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System. Based in the town of Matewan along the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River, this trail system puts riders at the epicenter of the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud that raged from 1863 to 1891 between the Hatfield family of West Virginia and the McCoy family across the river in Kentucky. The Devil Anse Trail System, which launches directly from downtown Matewan, is named after William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield, the patriarch who led the Hatfield clan through decades of conflict.

The Devil Anse Trail System offers 106 miles of trails spread between the towns of Matewan, Williamson, and Delbarton. Two trailheads provide parking and restrooms, with the primary access point right in Matewan's historic downtown. The trail connects directly to both Rockhouse and Buffalo Mountain, giving riders access to over 300 combined miles without trailering. For riders who want to explore multiple systems across several days, Matewan serves as an ideal staging point with lodging, fuel, and food within riding distance of the trailhead.

The riding terrain on Devil Anse is more accessible than its neighbors. The majority of trails are rated easy to intermediate, making it an excellent choice for mixed groups, especially those combining ATVs and UTVs with dirt bikes. Devil Anse has the most single-track mileage of any system in the Hatfield-McCoy network, which makes it particularly popular with dirt bike riders looking for tight, winding trails through dense Appalachian forest. The steepest trail in the system is HMC 207 with an average grade of 9 percent, while HMC 215 offers the most elevation gain at over 1,500 feet. For UTV and ATV riders, the wider connector trails and main routes provide comfortable cruising with enough variety to stay interesting throughout a full day of riding.

What sets the Matewan Area apart from every other trail system is the history embedded in the landscape. The Devil Anse Tunnel, which passes beneath King Coal Highway, is one of the most unique riding experiences in the eastern United States, a long, dark passage through the mountain that opens onto ridgeline trails above. Along the route, riders pass landmarks tied directly to the feud, including sites where key events in the Hatfield-McCoy conflict unfolded. The Devil Anse Cemetery, accessible via a short hike from the trail, features a life-sized Italian marble statue marking the grave of Devil Anse Hatfield, buried alongside his wife Levicy and son Johnse. It is one of the most visited historical sites in southern West Virginia.

Matewan itself carries a second layer of history beyond the feud. On May 19, 1920, the town was the site of the Matewan Massacre, a deadly shootout between private Baldwin-Felts security agents, local miners, Mayor Cable Testerman, and Police Chief Sid Hatfield (a distant relative of Devil Anse). The confrontation left ten dead and became a catalyst for the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest armed labor uprising in American history. The Matewan Depot Welcome Center and Museum houses the largest collection of West Virginia Mine Wars artifacts in the country, and the nearby Hatfield-McCoy Country Museum offers additional exhibits on the feud and the region's coal heritage.

The terrain throughout the Matewan Area is classic southern West Virginia, steep hollows, creek bottoms, dense hardwood forest, and ridgeline sections with views across the mountain valleys. Technical terrain is present on the higher-rated trails, but the overall system leans intermediate, making it approachable for riders with some experience who want a full day of varied riding.

The Matewan Area accommodates UTVs, ATVs, and dirt bikes. Width restrictions apply on single-track sections, so full-size side-by-sides should stick to the wider main trails and connectors.

Booking a local guide for the Matewan Area adds a dimension you won't get anywhere else in the Hatfield-McCoy system. Descendant-led historical feud tours are available through local outfitters, combining offroad riding with storytelling from guides whose families lived the history. A guide can take you to the key landmarks, navigate the connectors to Rockhouse and Buffalo Mountain, and tailor the ride to your group's skill level and interests.