Kentucky
Kentucky is best known for it's rolling green grass hills that gave birth to Bluegrass music and bourbon distilling. The limestone karst topography that underlies the hills and knobs of this unique landscape hold a bigger secret found in Mammoth Caves National Park, the world's longest subterranean cave system. With a little over 400 miles currently surveyed, Mammoth Caves is one of the easiest caves systems to explore as the park features over 14 miles of established trails.
Top Spots in and near Kentucky
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Berea, Kentucky
Hike the Pinnacles in Berea
4.96.59 mi / 1014 ft gainThis is a trip with multiple sites to visit over the course of a day. Visiting all five would equal around 5 miles, or you can choose to only go to one, as there are some slightly strenuous hills. The most visited is the Main Lookout, and the West Pinnacle offers a little rock climbing. Between ...Read more -
Slade, Kentucky
Hike the Indian Staircase Loop and Cloudsplitter
5.010 miStarting at the Bison Way Trailhead #210. You'll take this until you come to the intersection of the Sheltowee Trace Trail #100. Go left. You're going to turn right on the unmarked trail just past the sign that says stay on trail. This is quite the incline. Keeping going until you get to the base...Read more -
Shepherdsville, Kentucky
Hike the Millennium Trail, Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
4.013.6 miThe Millennium Trail in the Bernheim Forest combines a number of trails into a full day's hike. The well-marked trail passes over ridges and through forest and meadows, with some ups and downs. A trail map of the park can be found here.Read more -
Pineville, Kentucky
Explore the Lookout from Chained Rock
5.0Located just north of the Cumberland Gap, Chained Rock is a local landform made unique by a long slung chain that comes with a tall tale of it's creation. According to legend the rock pinnacle overlooking the Cumberland River valley struck fear into the minds of young children, which was eased wi...Read more -
Lancaster, Kentucky
Hike to the Kentucky River Palisades
5.02.4 mi / 500 ft gainThe Tom Dorman State Nature Preserve is maintained by the Nature Conservancy and one of a few preserves in the Kentucky River Palisades ecosystem. The Kentucky River Palisades loop trail leaves from the 8-car parking lot from both directions and follows an old stage coach trail. There are a few ...Read more -
McKee, Kentucky
Explore Flat Lick Falls
5.00.5 miThe hike begins at the parking area, just before the restrooms. Following a short, paved path will bring you to a small overlook of Flat Lick Falls. While this overlook is nice, the real treat comes when you venture to the base of the falls. Look for a small dirt path to the right of the overlook...Read more -
Beattyville, Kentucky
Climb at the Motherlode in Red River Gorge
1.2 miThese directions are similar to those marked in the Red River Gorge Climbing Guide. Be sure to pick one up at Miguel's Pizza or elsewhere to get a good idea of where all of the crags and climbing routes are. This adventure is to the Volunteer Wall and The Gallery crags. The parking lot is marked...Read more -
Stanton, Kentucky
Hike to Courthouse Rock and Double Arch
5.06.1 miStart at the trailhead located just past the Gray's Arch picnic area. Follow Auxier Ridge Trail #204 (white diamonds). You will pass a trail junction at 0.9 miles, but continue on Auxier Ridge. At the following fork in the trail keep right.Along the trail, you will catch views from the ridge of R...Read more -
Olive Hill, Kentucky
Hike to Lick Falls
5.03 miThe Grayson Lake State Park has two trails – the Lick Falls Loop Trail, and the 0.8 mile Beech-Hemlock Forest Trail. Lick Falls is best done after a rain, to make sure the falls are flowing. A trail map of the park can be found here.Read more -
Stanton, Kentucky
Hike the Auxier Ridge Trail, KY
5.04 mi / 1300 ft gainThis can be done as a quick hike, or as an overnighter so you can catch both sunset and sunrise. Park at the Auxier Ridge Trailhead and take the Auxier Ridge Trail (#204). Do NOT take the branch on the left for the Courthouse Rock Trail (#202), which you will see after about 1 mile. In about 2...Read more -
Williamsburg, Kentucky
Eagle Falls, Cumberland Falls SRP
4.81.89 mi / 699 ft gainRated easy to moderate, this hike does have lots of stairs. Rated easy to moderate, this hike does have lots of stairs. Along the way to Eagle Falls you will pass one of the best views of Cumberland Falls. Part of the lower trail may at times be muddy or inaccessible due to water levels.Read more -
Slade, Kentucky
Hike to Natural Bridge and Battleship Rock
4.02 mi / 400 ft gainThis popular hike begins near the state park gift shop and has options to continue to other trails at multiple points. The first .75 miles, starting at about 800 feet, is the hike up to the Natural Bridge. This portion of the hike contains basically all of the increase in elevation. As you hike u...Read more -
West Point, Kentucky
Hike to Tioga Falls
4.71.9 mi / 354 ft gainRecently the trail to Tioga Falls has re-opened even though they are still doing trail restoration. This is short little 1.9 mile out and back trail is perfect for the family and has one of the best waterfalls if you live anywhere near Louisville, Kentucky. Now while there is about 350 feet of el...Read more -
1091-1111 Elklick Road, Kentucky
Hike to Hickory Flats Firetower
5.01.2 mi / 435 ft gainTo find the starting point navigate straight to the marker pin. At the end of the paved road, a gravel road will start. Just a couple hundred feet up the gravel road on the left there is a gate. Park infront of the gate (not in the road). Vehicles are not permitted but the Daniel Boone National F...Read more -
Wilmore, Kentucky
Hike to the Cave at Asbury Trails
4.01 mi / 430 ft gainThe Asbury University trail system is located just south of Wilmore, KY along the lush emerald banks of the Kentucky River. Leisurely looping through the luscious limestone landmasses of the Kentucky bluegrass region, the trails at Asbury offer visitors an opportunity to obtain up-close understan...Read more -
Brandenburg, Kentucky
Fly Fish Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area
4.0First of all, it should be said that Otter Creek ORA is a great property offering far more than just fishing. There are campgrounds, hiking/horse trails, picnic areas, disc golf and more. Although this adventure focuses on the fishing opportunities at Otter Creek, it's worth checking out no matt...Read more
