Sophia, WV

united states

Sophia is a small coal mining town of about 1,500 people in southern West Virginia's Raleigh County. Drivers reach it via Route 16 from Beckley (15 miles northeast) or by taking Route 3 south from I-77. The winding mountain roads require careful driving, especially in winter. The town sits in a narrow valley carved by Clear Fork, surrounded by the mining infrastructure that built the community.