Kenton County Hiking Guide
The hiking in Kenton County ranges from wide double-track gravel trail to quiet single track forest paths. The best time to visit is Spring when wildflowers are in bloom and waterfalls are flowing. At other times of year, there are opportunities to enjoy snow-framed creeks in Winter, tree covered forest walks in Summer, and a few great Fall vistas overlooking Cincinnati and rural parts of the county.
Devou Park. Of all the areas in the county, Devou is the best of the parks with loads of amenities and beautiful, wooded trails. It has something for everyone and is worth a full day including a picnic.
Kids. Most of the hikes in Kenton County are kid friendly thanks to short distances and plentiful creeks to play in. And, although Morning View doesn’t have a playful creek, kids will be awed by the thorns along the Dickerson Trail. Likely their least favorites would include Middleton-Mills and Mullins WMA.
Waterfalls. Moser Branch Double Falls is in the Ft. Wright Nature Center, but can also be reached from Highland Cemetery’s trail network. Waterfalls on public lands are a rarity in Northern Kentucky, so be sure to visit after persistent rains - common during waterfall season (Winter through Spring).
Longest Trail System, Sunrise Vista. Devou Park offers the greatest number of trail miles in the county with a variety of loops that can be hiked over the course of a day or two. It has the distinction of having the best sunrise vista with the city of Cincinnati in full view.
Rural Vistas. Morning View Heritage Area has a pair of views along its ridge tops on its spur trail and Dickerson Trail. These would make for great visits when fog is sitting in the Licking River Valley, in Spring as the forest comes to life, or in Fall when the leaves turn.
Solitude. Two hiking areas immediately spring to mind for solitude - Morning View Heritage Area and Mullins Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Both are in the southernmost reaches of the county with one being well groomed and cared for and the other a little more on the wild side. Visit Morning View for cultivated trails or Mullins WMA for some roughneck fun.
Avoid. The only hike that was genuinely boring is at Middleton-Mills Park. This is mostly a sports complex with a couple fishing holes, but in terms of hiking, it’s not worth visiting unless you’re already there for a sporting event.
Leave No Trace. As is true with nearly all urban counties, litter can be found on virtually every hike. Bring a trash bag to pick-up after other trail users and observe Leave No Trace Practices while you’re out there. [LEARN MORE]
Questions. If you have a question, drop an email to hello@kentuckyhiker.com
Kenton County Hiking Areas
[click or tap for hikes in each area]
Devou Park*
Doe Run Lake*
Ft. Wright Nature Center*
Highland Cemetery*
Licking River Greenway
Lincoln Ridge (Banklick Woods) Park
Middleton-Mills Park
Morning View Heritage Area*
Mullins Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
*indicates personal favorites
This short loop and spur offers a nice walk in the woods plus a wonderful overlook of Downtown Cincinnati. Feel free to make a figure eight out of the loop with the connector trail that bisects it.