Pine Mountain (ridge)

Pine Mountain
US 23 in Kentucky with Pine Mountain in the background
Highest point
Elevation	3,273 ft (998 m)
Prominence	1,160 ft (350 m)
Coordinates	37°03′05″N 82°52′25″W / 37.05139°N 82.87361°W / 37.05139; -82.87361Coordinates: 37°03′05″N 82°52′25″W / 37.05139°N 82.87361°W / 37.05139; -82.87361
Geography
Pine Mountain Bell, Harlan, Letcher, and Whitley counties in Kentucky; Claiborne and Campbell counties in Tennessee, U.S.
Parent range	Cumberland Mountains
Climbing
First ascent	unknown
Easiest route	Hike

Pine Mountain is a ridge in the Appalachian Mountains running through Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. It extends about 125 miles from near Jellico, Tennessee, to a location near Elkhorn City, Kentucky. Birch Knob, the highest point, is 3,273 feet above sea level and is located on the Kentucky-Virginia border. It has been a barrier to transportation as the Cumberland River at Pineville, Kentucky is one of only two streams passing through the entire ridge. The other is Hickory Creek near Jellico, TN.

Several parks are located along the ridge, including Pine Mountain State Resort Park and Kingdom Come State Park, Breaks Interstate Park, Kiwanis Raven Rock Park, Kentenia State Forest, Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail and the Little Shepherd Trail.

Wildlife is abundant on Pine Mountain. The land is claimed to be the "Black Bear Capital of Kentucky."Black bears, elk, rattlesnakes, and deer are found on Pine Mountain.