Raven Run Red Loop Trail
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The Red Loop at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary is an easy, beautiful hike with an overlook of Kentucky River that is outstanding.
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Whittleton Branch Trail
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This short hike will take you to Whittleton Arch and along a short section of Kentucky's longest trail, the Sheltowee Trace. We like to hike this while killing time waiting for Miguel's to changeover to lunch.
Read MoreAuxier Ridge Trail
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Auxier Ridge is one of the most popular hikes in Red River Gorge thanks to its phenomenal views and easy access. This is the short hike - though longer options exist.
Read MoreHighland Section - Pine Mountain Trail
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Pine 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 MoreCarter Caves Three Bridges Hike
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The three bridges hike at Carter Caves State Park will take you to three impressive arches with one among the largest in Kentucky. At only 4.5 miles in length, this hike can be enjoyed by all and is great anytime of the year.
Read MoreWhittleton Arch
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This is a great hike for all ages and is particularly beautiful during Spring wildflower season. Following Whittleton Branch, there’s plenty of opportunity to explore the water and the arch offers a fun scramble to the top.
Read MoreWhistling Arch
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This is one of a handful of ‘drive-up’ hikes available at Red River Gorge. It has a classic arch and a beautiful view overlooking the gorge.
Read MoreHood's Branch to Natural Bridge
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This is a nice way to enjoy a half day at Natural Bridge State Park, home to Kentucky’s largest natural arch. Rather than taking the Original Trail with its steep ascent to the top, this hike spread out the elevation gain while including a nice walk in the woods along Hood’s Branch.
Read MoreSunset on Auxier Ridge
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Of all the hikes I’ve done, this is among the most memorable. It was our first sunset on Auxier Ridge, and we got super lucky with the clouds. Having been overcast for nearly the entire day, the sun broke below the clouds and above the next ridgeline - providing a spectacular sunset!
Read MoreWhittleton Branch
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We were out to see wildflowers, and this trail is among the best at providing just that. As warmth returns, but before the forest canopy fills in, wildflowers can be found throughout the area. Whittleton Branch, however, seems to get more than its fair share - and that was all good:-)
Read MoreKoomer Ridge Loop Plus Sheltowee Footbridge Spur
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On this weekend, I had Bork and Dan with me, so we opted for a big hike to see what we could see. At more than 11 miles, this loop and spur hike was perfect. We enjoyed visiting my favorite tree in the Red, Hidden Arch, and the footbridge over Red River. Add wildflower season to the mix, and it was a perfect hike.
Read MoreWinter on Panoramic View Trail (Great Gulf Overlook)
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After walking the Natural Arch Loop, head a little further west for a quick walk to big views on the Panoramic View Trail. This looks out to Natural Arch and Buffalo Canyon Trail below. I can imagine this to be the ideal short hike when Fall colors are in season.
Read MoreNatural Arch
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Not to be confused with Natural Bridge, Natural Arch is the largest arch in the Big South Fork region - residing just north of the the National River Recreation Area. It’s an impressive arch to be sure, and the winter walk was the definition of solitary - not another human being in sight or sound:-)
Read MoreAngel Windows
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This 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 MoreD Boone Hut, Military Wall, and Left Flank
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This was a terrific wintertime hike with zero hikers on the trails but plenty of climbers making their way up Military Wall. It made for a quiet, scenic, and entertaining couple hours in the Gorge. It was fun watching the climbers and D Boon Hut sits under one of the largest rock shelters in the region.
Read MoreBerea Pinnacles - Indian Fort Mountain
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The pinnacles of Berea sit atop Indian Fort Mountain just south of town. It’s a private forest owned by the college and is a terrific day hiking destination with expansive views, interesting geology, and every October, it’s Mountain Day - a day when the college is closed and students are encouraged to get outside.
Read MoreSky Bridge
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This 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 MoreRough Trail and Rush Ridge Point to Point
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This is a great day hike with plenty of physical challenge, interesting geology throughout, and more than a few great views. We mixed up the hike a bit by taking Gray’s Arch Trail over to Rush Ridge before rejoining Rough Trail. This eliminates one of the tough climbs on Rough Trail and replaces it with some easy, peaceful miles in the woods.
Read MoreSiltstone Trail
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Within Jefferson National Forest is the Siltstone Trail. A 6.7 mile trail that runs between the Horine Reservation and Scott’s Gap Road. It’s a nice ridgeline hike with plenty of elevation change to add a bit of challenge.
Read MoreAuxier Ridge - Double Arch Loop
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This 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.
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