Cob Hollow to Kanawha River Overlook

If you are looking for the Charleston version of "Top of the World," this is it! Starting at Hughes Creek, on the north side of the Kanawha River, Cob Hollow runs northwest past numerous gas wells. The road is hard-packed dirt with a few gravel and muddy sections. The trail twists and turn for nearly 7 miles, following the ridgelines to the southwest and passing Rubes Hollow. After a large steel tank, you'll come to a large parking area at the base of a chewed-up, rocky hill climb. This hill is not as challenging as it may appear from the bottom, and any high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle should not have any problems. After the hill, the trail shoots west, following the power lines leading to a wide section of the ridgeline booby-trapped with deep, bottomless mud holes. Sneaking between the mud holes is extremely tight and very dangerous if the soil is wet in any way. Full-size vehicles should consider stopping at this point. Thirty yards beyond the mud, the ridge drops off at a fantastic overlook known as the Devil's Tea Table. This overlook provides astonishing views of the Kanawha River and US 60 below. Return the way you came, or take Rubes Hollow down to Kelly's Creek Road.