Devou Park Central Loop - Vastine, Goat Path, Sleepy Hollow Trails

Devou Park Central Loop - Vastine, Goat Path, Sleepy Hollow Trails

This is a really nice walk in the woods on well maintained, beautiful trails. There were plenty of wildflowers along the route and a couple small stream crossings with mini-waterfalls that were trickling along. After an extended wintertime hard freeze, these spots would be magnificent with icy cascades.

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Licking River Greenway Loop

Licking River Greenway Loop

This is a nice, easy loop along the western banks of the Licking River in Covington. The portion on the flood wall is mostly paved with dirt and gravel on the trail section closest to the river. On this day, I enjoyed a massive patch of wildflowers at the trail’s southern end along the river. It was beautiful!

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Morning View Heritage Area North Double Loop

Morning View Heritage Area North Double Loop

I really do enjoy this hiking area. The trails are well-cared for and the surroundings are both varied and interesting. This double loop includes the Wetlands and Dickerson Trails with plenty of wildflowers, birds, and solitude to enjoy. Well away from densely populated areas, the sign-in sheet shows about one visitor per day - and that’s a wonderful thing.

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Ft. Wright Nature Center - Highland Cemetery Loops

Ft. Wright Nature Center - Highland Cemetery Loops

This is a fantastic hike that includes Moser Branch Double Falls, and plenty of forested trails on the Highland Cemetery property. It is filled with wildflowers including a few varieties that I haven’t seen elsewhere in Northern Kentucky. Kids will love playing in the creeks and parents will appreciate the options to shorten up when needed;-)

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Doe Run 'Falls' Loop

Doe Run 'Falls' Loop

This is a nice little treat in Northern Kentucky where waterfalls on public lands are scarce. And, while it is a waterfall in the lay sense, it is also man-made. The excavation work to create Doe Run Dam and the soccer field below the falls created Doe Run ‘Falls’. Regardless, it’s a very relaxing place to spend some time and unless there is a soccer match in progress, you’re likely to have it to yourself as I did.

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Doe Run Lake Loop

Doe Run Lake Loop

The southern section of this loop is on single/double track dirt/mud trails and is both rugged and beautiful. The northern section is gravel double track with a few benches and picnic tables overlooking the lake. There are numerous challenges for hikers that complete the loop. For an easy hike, head to the southern section and turnaround at the badly damaged bridge.

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Morning View Heritage Area South Loop and Spur

Morning View Heritage Area South Loop and Spur

This is a beautiful set of well-built and maintained trails with a little more elevation gain per mile than many trails in Northern Kentucky. The spur trail was cut by the NKY chapter of the Sierra Club, and it provides a great walk in the woods leading to a nice, but limited view of the adjacent ridgeline and the Licking River Valley. If you seek solitude, this is likely among the best options in the region.

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Mullins Wildlife Management Area (WMA)

Mullins Wildlife Management Area (WMA)

Wildlife Management Areas are great hikes that usually have some unruly sections, and Mullins is no exception. Much of the hike is on double track grass (loads of ticks) with a short portion in the woods on single track trail. What you give up in comfort, you gain in wildness. We enjoyed our time here and didn’t encounter another soul. Also, there is a unique area on the loop that has a stand of dead trees and abundant fungus growth.

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Moser Branch Double Falls at Fort Wright Nature Center

Moser Branch Double Falls at Fort Wright Nature Center

Fort Wright Nature Center is a 16-acre city park that is home to Moser Branch Double Falls. This is a short hike, but loaded with wildflowers and the double falls make for a serene spot to sit and enjoy a break from the daily grind. I did a quick out and back, but other trails are available to explore.

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