This little hike off the southwestern reaches of Laurel River Lake will take you to a pair of arches separated by only a few hundred yards. Whippoorwill is a big beauty while Whippersnapper has its own playful charm.
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 MoreThe scene at Cherokee Arch might be the most beautiful in all of Kentucky. Massive, primordial, pristine. Let’s keep it that way. The area under the arch is delicate to say the least - step only where others have stepped. Do NOT camp, build a fire, or otherwise unnecessarily impact this area.
Read MoreThis is a nice, steep hike to a gorgeous arch and beautiful overlook with a little scramble sauce mixed in. And, it has a big boulder sitting under it, making for a super awesome spot to chill, meditate, or enjoy lunch. Get here for Golden Hour before sunset.
Read MoreThis overlook isn’t on any maps, but it’s a large patch of exposed rock with a steep slope facing southeast - making it an ideal spot for sunrise. You can enjoy the view from the road or walk down a few steps to have some all natural seating.
Read MoreThis long abandoned lookout tower is a nice piece of history and a great place to explore along the Little Shepherd Trail. Some folks constructed a ladder to the first platform, but the boards are badly rotted and climbing this is at minimum foolish. Enjoy the views from below, as big views are available north at KY-2010 or across the road at Goss Park.
Read MoreThis was an unexpected surprise while driving up Pine Mountain on KY-2010. Along the road is this giant rock with a little space for parking and some long-established user trails. While the area was heavily trashed below, the overlooks above were simply gorgeous.
Read MoreThis is a beautiful small arch that’s difficult to locate this time of year thanks to plentiful roadside vegetation. If you’re passing through Nada Tunnel, this is a nice stop when parking is available. Use the GPS waypoints, photos, and navigation section to make finding this arch a little easier.
Read MoreI LOVE this hike! Cross Indian Creek, visit a pair of unique arches, and enjoy one of the best overlooks in Red River Gorge with plenty of elevation gain along the way. Be sure to pack a lunch to enjoy the massive views at Blackburn Rock!
Read MoreI’ve seen a lot of vistas in Kentucky, and this one is up there on that list. Forget about the graffiti on the rock, the view here is special. Situated at a bend in South Fork and with an uninterrupted viewshed, this is a fantastic place to sit a spell and have a think.
Read MoreThis short out and back is an easy hike with one steep descent. Friendship Tube is neat, but I really enjoyed Friendship Arch’s smooth walls and large pockets. As a bonus, there’s a nice view above Laurel Branch just before the big descent. It’s best to hike this in dry weather when the descent is more easily managed.
Read MoreThis is a beautiful walk in the Clifty Wilderness through mature hemlock forest passing one of the largest bigleaf magnolias I can recall in the area. Turtle Back Arch is spectacular with a secondary window on the frontside and gorgeous sandstone erosion patterns on the backside. This hike is unmarked and has a short scramble that looked serious enough for me to fix some ‘just in case’ rope.
Read MoreIf you’re looking for a nice 3-ish mile hike, this one is fantastic! Enjoy playful Arch of Triumph and one of Kentucky’s best, Star Gap Arch. This is a ridgeline hike that is mostly flat, but comes with one tricky spot to descend to the last bit of trail to Star Gap Arch. Take your time and all will be well.
Read MoreThis is a tough hike with plenty of bushwhacking and frankly, a couple arches that aren’t exactly five stars:-) That said, I loved it! The hike back to Anvil Arch is relatively easy, but the ‘path’ to Eholia Arch is rough. It appears a wildfire devastated much of the vegetation in the area - leaving skeletons of rhododendron and mountain laurel on the forest floor. Be sure to read the cautions.
Read MoreWe visited four arches on this day and Phalanx Arch was the perfect way to close out the day. It’s a big, beautiful arch and in terms of photo-friendliness, it’s a great one! LaFonda enjoyed looking up at the arch with sunlight coming through its chimney.
Read MoreThis was the third quick out and back hike of our day, and it’s a wonderful arch just off some double-track trail. There was a decent sized camping area just above the arch and plenty of space to play below.
Read MoreI do enjoy small arches like this one. It reminds me a lot of Arch of Triumph in Red River Gorge and is definitely on the playful side. It’s easy to miss even though it sits right off some double-track trail, so be sure to add the GPS waypoints below.
Read MoreThere are two Moonshiner’s Arches in Kentucky - this one in Whitley County and the other further north in Menifee County. Both are short hikes, large arches, and have chimneys in each, but this one is just a little prettier;-) Anytime you’re in the Cumberland Falls area, this arch is worth a quick stop.
Read MoreThis was a fantastic hike featuring an arch and four waterfalls. I was a bit late after recent rains (more than 24 hours earlier), so these could certainly have more flow closer to rain - especially at Nellie’s Falls. Horseshoe Falls is amazing, but Joe Ponder Double Falls steals the show. With the double falls in the foreground, Upper Joe Ponder Falls can be seen in the background on lookers’ right. Simply amazing!
Read MoreThese arches are so close to the trail, but I’ve passed them by a number of times completely unaware of their existence. The Red is cool like that! Unicorn Arch is a gorgeous little arch that reminds me of a cartoon character that I can’t quite place. Osborne Bend Arch is a playful one not unlike Arch of Triumph. This is a short, sweet hike with a couple small, fun arches.
Read MoreFinding peace and happiness on the trails of Kentucky.
