This 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 MoreThis section follows the ridgeline and eventually descends into downtown Morehead where you can grab a hot meal, ice cold Coke, and resupply with whatever you need. The hiking is relatively easy with a lot of gravel road for the first portion and mostly gentle rollers along the ridgeline. If in town and hungry, Gatti’s Pizza buffet is highly recommended:-)
Read MoreWith a full day at our disposal, we planned to make something around 15 miles for the day that would take us into Section 4 of the Sheltowee Trace. This is a quiet, solitary hike through the forest where we encountered exactly one other human on the trail. As a bonus, this hike provides an AMAZING lunch spot at Dry Branch where you’ll find privately owned Clark Park.
Read MoreBork and I started our backpacking trip at the Northern Terminus of the Sheltowee Trace, Kentucky’s longest trail. To get there, we dropped Bork’s car at Archaic in Red River Gorge and had Rat shuttle us up to the trailhead. The goal for the day was to make camp on the ridgeline at the first available site - right at a mile up the trail.
Read MoreThis is the quintessential sunset hike at Red River Gorge. It’s a short 1.8 miles to a spectacular panoramic vista facing west toward Double Arch overlooking the gorge below. We’ve done this hike many times at this point, but on this evening, high clouds persisted, but still delivered a beautiful show.
Read MoreAfter having such a great time with the kids on this hike in April, the wife wanted to see what all the fuss was about. This really is one of the best hikes available at Red River Gorge. It’s 7 miles that offers a highlight reel of what the Gorge is all about - walking through hardwoods, panoramic vistas, super cool geology, and of course, a big ass arch (Gray’s Arch).
Read MoreThis was a really nice warm-up hike leading to a nice, solitary rock shelter via old road bed, open meadow, and game trails. It’s worth checking out if you’re camping at Woodland in Red River Gorge.
Read MoreThis is the best hike for solitude at Bon Secour NWR. Thanks to the boardwalk closure that formerly connected the eastern and western trail systems, this hike provides peace and quiet with many skipping this hike for the better views and varied terrain offered on the west side of the refuge.
Read MoreWith the Centennial Trail closed, the eastern portion is basically the Jeff Friend Trail which is a mile-long loop covering gravel, dirt, and synthetic boardwalk trails. It's a nice, short loop that includes some Maritime forest, an open view of the lagoon, and plenty of saw palmetto. It's an ideal trail for flat, easy running.
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If visiting the Gulf Shores area, this is a must-do hike that includes pristine dunes and beaches - free from all the commercial development in the area. It’s a beautiful nature hike that is likely best with a sunset behind the dunes.
Read MoreThis was a really nice way to breakup our long drive down to Gulf Shores, Alabama. After stopping in Pelham for the night, we opted outside in the morning to stretch the legs and take in an awesome view from King's Chair in Oak Mountain State Park. It's a short hike with what's likely one of the best views in the Birmingham area.
Read MoreThis is a nice walk in the woods that will take you out toward the Mountain Parkway that you’ll be able to hear, but not see. We followed this trail out to the end and did a little bushwhacking to reach some bearing trees before heading back. There is a side trail 1/2 mile into the hike that is worth exploring, and I’ve made plans to return using a different route in the winter to explore the large rock shelter that lies below.
Read MoreFinding peace and happiness on the trails of Kentucky.
