According to a flyer distributed by Clinch Ranger District of George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, the trail was donated in 1994 to the Forest Service by the Norfolk-Southern Railroad. Clinch Ranger District, the railroad, elected officials and much of the community rallied behind getting this abandoned track designated as a walking trail. The trail follows the Guest River along a 5.3 mile stretch and basically ends when the Guest flows into the Clinch River. It has been chosen as a State Scenic River. Bicyclists, hikers, runners, fishermen, canoeists, and kayakers are encouraged to use the area but, hunting, trapping, and camping are prohibited.

(Pictured at left is the sign marking the entrance to the trail. The entrance is about 2.5 miles out of Coeburn, VA on State Rt. 72).

As with much of the Southwest Virginia area, there is much history associated with the gorge. The flyer provided by Clinch Ranger District states that Native American Indians lived in the area between 9000 BC to the mid-18th century. The railroads used the tracks for hauling saltpeter and coal which were mined in the vicinity.

One of the first interesting sites you will encounter as you travel the Gorge will be the Swede Tunnel (pictured at right) also known as Beverly Tunnel.