Bell Falls is a great roadside hike at only a quarter-mile total. The falls were running on this day which was surprising with the long dry spell we’ve had. It’s a steep climb to the top with a number of small cascades further up Bell Branch. Take care with your footing, as it’s slick and steep - use all fours when in doubt.
Read MoreI love this arch. It’s a short hike, has a chimney, and runs alongside Red River. At the time of this hike, the river was low, so we took advantage of it and picked around the water’s edge to add a little extra fun.
Read MoreThere are a handful of roadside pull-offs with big views in Red River Gorge. This particular one is among the best with a very short unmarked trail leading to a nice perch overlooking Swift Camp Creek below. It’s a small piece of rock - perfect for couples or you and your bestie.
Read MoreAfter volunteering at this race a few years ago, I finally had the chance to run it. Under the care of Jenny and Franklin Baker, this event has become a sellout and with so many good reasons - awesomely run-able, but challenging course, amazing volunteers, well-stocked aid stations, and as I found, Mount Baker might be the best part.
Read MoreNext door to Big Bone Baptist Church is Adair Wildlife Management Area (WMA). We decided to take advantage of this long dry spell to do some arrowhead hunting and hiked the dried up stream beds on the eastern half of the area. This time of year, it’s a guaranteed bushwhack, so be prepared and don’t wear anything nice:-)
Read MoreThis short, steep trail has just about everything you can ask for in a hike. Physical challenge, wildflowers, rushing water, pristine lakes, and monster views are plentiful on this shorty. While we didn’t have time, a number of routes lead to the summits visible from the lake.
Read MoreThis is the most difficult trail in Red River Gorge featuring near constant elevation change. While challenging, hiking this trail delivers an amazing tour of the area’s trademark geology of massive rock shelters, beautiful outcroppings, and dazzling boulders.
Read MorePictures can never do this hike justice. While the reason for the trail are some remnants of a hut believed to be used by the legendary Daniel Boone, the beauty of this hike is in the shear enormity of the rock shelter under which the hut was built. It’s massive, and a great place to see the hardwood forest in all its grandeur.
Read MoreThis is a quick and easy sunset hike on the last unmarked trail before crossing above Nada Tunnel Road. We were running late from Sky Bridge Station, so we needed something fast and short. This fit the bill nicely.
Read MoreThis hike never, ever gets old. Princess Arch is among the most beautiful and accessible hikes in Red River Gorge. Spend as much time as you like at the arch, but be sure to take in the views past the arch. With Chimney Top Rock sharing the same parking lot, enjoy even better views there.
Read MoreThe Zoo is part of Graining Fork Nature Preserve and is privately owned and a well known climbing area. To hike or climb in the preserve, you must electronically sign a liability waiver at http://grainingfork.org and be confirmed access via email.
Read MoreThis might be the best summertime hike in Red River Gorge. Henson’s Arch, sometimes called Henson’s Cave Arch, is formed by a pair of holes in the ground that connect at the bottom forming the arch. It’s unique…and air conditioned.
Read MoreAfter enjoying this hike back in April, we thought this would be a great sunset location - and it certainly is. With the sun near its most northerly track, we were able to enjoy the last rays of sun while looking out over Red River Gorge and Nada Tunnel Road.
Read MoreI’ve been wanting to do this hike for some time, and today was the day. It was BRUTALLY AWESOME! 90-degree heat, sun-soaked ridgeline, badly overgrown trail, tons of deadfall, maximum skin destruction, scrambling, crawling on all fours…yup, it was GREAT!!! And that view at the end? Hard won and worth all the challenges.
Read MoreThis is among my favorite hikes in Red River Gorge, as it offers a nice view, some modest challenge, and an almost magical micro-environment at the arch. Hiking this in the Summer heat, you get the added bonus of cooling off at the arch while taking in scenery that photography simply can’t do justice.
Read MoreWhen you talk about minimum effort for maximum gain, this hike is certainly near the top of that trade-off. At only 7/10th of a mile, you can enjoy some excellent views and take in Sky Bridge - a large, double arch overlooking the northeastern portion of Red River Gorge.
Read MoreStarting from the trailhead at the northern entrance to Red River Gorge Geological Area on Tarr Ridge Road (KY-77), this short hike provides an awesome view of the gorge along with a grand variety of fungus along the trail. With plenty of backcountry campsites along the way and additional viewpoints further out, this is a great place to explore.
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 MoreFinding peace and happiness on the trails of Kentucky.
