This is a must-visit for anyone hiking Kentucky. Known as the Niagra of the South, Cumberland Falls is a gorgeous, powerful waterfall and has all the overlooks to go with it;-) Here are the four developed viewing platforms on the Whitley County side of the river. More views can be had across the river from Eagle Falls Trail.
Read MoreThis is a classic Red River Gorge hike with all the crowds to go with it - and that’s why we hit it on a Monday…in November:-) Stops at Adena Arch, Indian Arch, Cloudsplitter, Frog’s Head, and Indian Staircase make for a fantastic day - just be sure your crew can handle the scrambles at Indian Staircase and Cloudsplitter. And remember - better to turn back and hike another day if it’s not right for you!
Read MoreThis small arch is just off Sheltowee Trace between US-27 and Barren Fork Horse Camp. Though small, it’s a nice little arch that’s super easy to reach and worth stopping in for a quick peek.
Read MoreThis hike had been on my list for a number of months - it was just a matter of timing. Whittleton Arch Falls is the coolest waterfall on marked trail in Red River Gorge. The catch, of course, is you have to be there at the right time. With saturated ground conditions, local flooding, and some heavy overnight rain, it was a perfect day for a visit!
Read MoreThis was the perfect hike to enjoy some long-awaited snowfall and take full advantage of waterfall season! This loop features Vanover Falls and the snow-covered rhododendron really set off an unnamed waterfall we came across in the second half of the hike.
Read MoreThis short out and back is a lot of fun in warm weather when you can enjoy Red River’s most famous jump rock. For kids, this is among the best hikes in Red River Gorge with a long footbridge over the river. On this day, we also found a plethora of fall wildflowers in bloom with plenty of butterflies and bees taking full advantage.
Read MoreHorses destroy trails - especially if it’s been rainy, and it’s been very rainy in Kentucky this year. This section of trail is an unmitigated disaster with miles and miles of hoof-pocked mud pits that are very nearly impassable for hikers. It was the worst hiking I have experienced and led to us ending our backpacking trip 35 miles early. I suggest hiking this section in the spring BEFORE horse season begins on the trails.
Read MoreThis was a fantastic walk in the woods with a gentle descent to Cave Run Lake. The views from the dam are the best of the first nine sections (46-ish miles) of the Sheltowee Trace. We stopped in at the visitor’s center to restock water and enjoyed lunch at Stony Creek Picnic Area. Bork had a nice, cooling swim as well.
Read MoreThis section of the hike took us through downtown Morehead where we resupplied at a gas station and IGA. After town, it’s a good stretch of road before heading back into the forest where we made camp at Amburgy Rocks. The campsite alone was worth the hike - sitting atop a rock outcropping enjoying the breeze…and a thunderstorm as it turned out.
Read MoreThis section follows the ridgeline and eventually descends into downtown Morehead where you can grab a hot meal, ice cold Coke, and resupply with whatever you need. The hiking is relatively easy with a lot of gravel road for the first portion and mostly gentle rollers along the ridgeline. If in town and hungry, Gatti’s Pizza buffet is highly recommended:-)
Read MoreWith a full day at our disposal, we planned to make something around 15 miles for the day that would take us into Section 4 of the Sheltowee Trace. This is a quiet, solitary hike through the forest where we encountered exactly one other human on the trail. As a bonus, this hike provides an AMAZING lunch spot at Dry Branch where you’ll find privately owned Clark Park.
Read MoreBork and I started our backpacking trip at the Northern Terminus of the Sheltowee Trace, Kentucky’s longest trail. To get there, we dropped Bork’s car at Archaic in Red River Gorge and had Rat shuttle us up to the trailhead. The goal for the day was to make camp on the ridgeline at the first available site - right at a mile up the trail.
Read MoreLast year’s Big Turtle 50K was my trashiest run of 2018. I was undertrained and paid the full price. This year was redemption time! Oh, and wildflower season was in full effect too!
Read MoreAmong the best hikes in the Commonwealth, enjoy Cumberland Falls, Dog Slaughter Falls, and Eagle Falls on a single day hike. Along the way, take in sweeping vistas from Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower.
Read MoreIn November, the Rough Trail 50K and 25K trail races will bring hundreds of runners to Red River Gorge. We scouted the 25K course and thoroughly enjoyed the hike that included Hidden and Gray’s Arch along with some great views of the gorge.
Read MoreLocated in Morehead, Big Turtle 50 travels the most northern sections of Kentucky’s longest trail - the Sheltowee Trace. It’s a well managed, solid spring race and is well suited to runners moving from road to trails or looking for a first ultramarthon finish.
Read MoreThis is among the best hikes in Big South Fork that will take you to see Kentucky's tallest waterfall, a pair of gorgeous arches, and finish up with a quiet walk along the river.
Read MoreThis is a classic hike at Red River Gorge with beautiful views of the gorge, Indian Arch, and Adena Arch along with the fun of scrambling Indian Staircase.
Read MoreThis is the long way around to Indian Staircase, but it's a beautiful hike with excellent views and some special sights. Beware, however, as the scramble down Indian Staircase is nerve-wracking and dangerous.
Read MoreThis is a hike for hikers! The Gladie Creek Loop features a long walk through the forest, a pair of water crossings, a section of rocky footing similar to the AT, two waterfalls, and a look at Tower Rock.
Read MoreFinding peace and happiness on the trails of Kentucky.
