Ft. Wright Nature Center - Highland Cemetery Loops

Overview. This is a fantastic hike that includes Moser Branch Double Falls, and plenty of forested trails on the Highland Cemetery property. It is filled with wildflowers including a few varieties that I haven’t seen elsewhere in Northern Kentucky. Kids will love playing in the creeks and parents will appreciate the options to shorten up when needed;-)

Route Type | Loops
Total Distance | 4 miles
Overall Difficulty | Moderate
Map of Ft. Wright Nature Center
Map of Highland Cemetery

GPS Waypoints
Trailhead | 39.053122, -84.542436
Moser Branch Double Falls | 39.050419, -84.543614

Trailhead. With the Highland Cemetery trailhead parking full (please don’t park in the grass), we parked on neighborhood streets at Ft. Wright Nature Center’s north trailhead. [map]

Trail navigation. Basically, to explore the area, we simply made a left at all trail intersections. Start by moving down from the neighborhood and take a left before reaching the lake. Continue along the forested path staying left at all intersections until reaching the wood shelter just off the maintenance road. Turn here to take the maintenance road and drop down to creekside trail before reaching a sign that reads ‘Twin Falls’. This is the trail to Moser Branch Double Falls and is a short walk from the sign. Take in the falls before crossing over to go to Highland Cemetery’s trail system. You’ll move up the hill to your left, hiking above the creek and continuing to the outer perimeter turning left at each in this order of trails - Coyote, Fossil, Screech Owl, Black Squirrel, Box Turtle, Black Squirrel, Opossum Path, Black Squirrel, cross the pavement along the fence, Bluebird, Black Squirrel, Screech Owl, Fossil, and Coyote. This will bring you back to the falls where will crossover, go up the graveled double track trail to the lake and finally, back to your car.

CAUTION - Parking lot closure. The parking lot off Highland Avenue remains closed as of this writing. Use the Augusta Avenue trailhead instead.

CAUTION - Slippery trails. I’ve hiked these trails after some light rain and they were very slick. Be sure to wear appropriate hiking shoes with sufficient lugs to manage a little mud.