We 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 MoreHopewell Arch is the most beautiful arch I’ve seen so far in Red River Gorge. While I’ve published trail navigation before, I took some extra time to put together detailed directions for this out and back. The reason is simple - when hikers don’t have marked trails, a zoo of trails invariably forms. These zoos detract from the hiking experience, damage vegetation and habitat, and generally turn what could be a beautiful forest walk into a trashy network of dirt. So, please take care to follow the trail and download an offline copy of this post in Chrome by tapping the download button. Alternatively, print a copy of this page to .pdf and save it to your device before you reach the trailhead.
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 is a seemingly short hike at just over four miles, but it takes a good bit of time if you want to keep your feet dry-ish. Plan for a half day or more to explore this hike that is unmarked and has some challenging (sometimes extremely so) sections. The falls are beautiful and Hopewell Arch is among my favorites.
Read MoreThough the views at the park are outstanding, Log Rock really is an exceptional arch and worth the visit. This wide span, slender arch is absolutely gorgeous and just beyond it is a large patch of knobby rock ideal to catch some sun and enjoy a picnic. I’ll return just to spend a sunrise at this amazing place.
Read MorePine Mountain Trail offers glorious vistas and a great backpacking opportunity with challenging trails, excellent shelters every 8 to 12 miles, and plenty of wildlife - like the 5 black bears we saw on our hike.
Read MoreThis pair of small arches or ‘windows’ is a short, easy walk from the parking lot. It’s worth a stop just about anytime you’re passing through. Kids enjoy exploring the windows and small rock shelters along the way, but be sure to keep them close past the windows.
Read MoreThis is a short, but sweet hike where you can explore a double arch and take in a number of expansive views. It makes a great ‘drive-up’ hike and with the picnic area nearby, a nice place to take lunch and relax. If you’re in the Gorge, this is a no-brainer hike to add to the list.
Read MoreThis hike has the biggest views in Red River Gorge. In a word, it’s spectacular. The loop will take you along two ridgelines where you’ll see where you’re going and where you’ve been. In the Fall, this is the place to be.
Read MoreFinding peace and happiness on the trails of Kentucky.
