Hiking is one of our favorite outdoor activities to do in the summer time as a family. Kentucky has some wonderful hiking trails that appeal to outdoorsmen of all ability levels. Whether you are an experienced hiker, looking for a new challenge or you are hoping for a stroll in the woods with the kids, our list of the best places to go hiking in Kentucky has something for you.
Natural Bridge State Resort Park
The park has 10 hiking trails which range from 1/2 mile to 7 1/2 miles and vary in difficulty. Trails are well marked and you can pick up a trail map at the Hemlock Lodge before you head out. As the park is a nature preserve, dogs are not allowed on the hiking trails except for the Whittleton Trail which is pet-friendly and can be accessed via the Park’s Whittleton Campground. To see the park’s iconic Natural Bridge, perhaps one of the state’s most well-known landmarks, take Battleship Rock Trail. The Trail is 0.75 miles long. If you follow it all the way to the bridge, you can access the top of the arch with it’s amazing views by climbing a narrow staircase known as “the squeeze”
2135 Natural Bridge Road, Slade, KY 40376; 606-663-2214
Raven Run Nature Sanctuary
Raven Run is conveniently located just outside of downtown Lexington and is a popular half-day trip out of the city. The trail is quite popular so you’re sure to be sharing the trail with others, but that doesn’t take away from the tranquil experience. You may even spot some wildlife such as deer, birds and small mammals on your hike. The most popular trail is a 4.1 mile loop with a highlight being the Palisades Overlook that looks out over the Kentucky River. There are shorter trails if you aren’t up for that long of a hike – with 10 miles of hiking trails in total. Raven Run is a great place to hike with kids but pets aren’t allowed.
3885 Raven Run Way, Lexington, KY
The Pinnacles
Located in Berea, Kentucky, and owned by the Berea College, The Pinnacles have gotten much acclaim in recent years and we believe they are one of the best (and perhaps most underrated) places to hike in Kentucky. Visitors can hike up the Pinnacles on the Indian Fort Trails. The trails offer a variety of difficulty levels and beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. There are several named overlooks with the most visited being the aptly named Main Lookout which offers unhindered views of the valley below. Visiting all of the overlooks would mean traveling about 5 miles but you can pick and choose. Dogs are allowed at the Pinnacles but camping is not. The area is fairly kid-friendly, but you should certainly watch kids on the ridge as a fall would be disastrous. Just as with most other hikes in Kentucky, encountering poisonous snakes is also possible, although we didn’t see any wildlife when we visited.
2047 Big Hill Road, Berea, KY; 859-756-3315
Breaks Interstate Park
Set on the border of Kentucky and Virginia in the Jefferson National Forest, Breaks Interstate Park has more than 25 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult. Many of the trails are quite short (less than a mile long), but the interconnected trail system allows more ambitious hikers the opportunity to cover a greater distance. Pick up a map of trails at the visitors center. They also have booklets avialable that specifically detail points of interest along some of the trails. Guided hikes are scheduled throughout each summer. From April – December the popular Breaks Interstate Park Loop trail is open and hikers frequently rate it one of the best places to go hiking in Kentucky. The loop traverses 4.7 miles and is considered a moderate trail. the trail climbs over 1,350 feet where you’ll get to enjoy amazing views of the stunning rock formations that surround the trail and the 5-mile wide gorge that many call ‘the Grand Canyon of the South.’
627 Commission Circle, Breaks, VA 24607; 276-865-4413
Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap National Park sits on the borders of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. The park has more than 85 miles of hiking trails with a variety of difficulty levels. However, the trail that has the best view is the Pinnacle Trail which is an 7.8 mile, out and back trail that terminates at the Pinnacle Overlook. The overlook offers unparalleled views out over Cumberland Gap – a pass through the mountains that was used by pioneers heading west. From this point you can see several states on a clear day. The trail is open from April – October and is especially beautiful when the leaves start changing in the fall. If you are looking for a longer hike, the 21-mile Ridge Trail runs the entire length of the park and offers an exciting opportunity for a multiple-day backpacking adventure through the park’s backcountry.
91 Bartlett Park Road, Middlesboro, KY 40965; 606-248-2817
Red River Gorge
The Red River Gorge is a canyon system located on the banks of the Red River in central Kentucky. Much of the gorge is located inside the Daniel Boone National Forest. There are numerous hikes available for every level of hiker with distances ranging from 1.5 – 5.1 miles. Some are easy while others are quite difficult. Experienced hikers should consider hiking the Indian Staircase and Indian Arch Loop, however, the trail can be quite dangerous in places. The staircase is steep and should be hiked with care, but the views are amazing when you reach the top. Even though this hike is only about 3.5 miles long, you should allot 4-6 hours to undertake it due to the difficulty. We’d suggest hiking this one with a friend.
3451 Sky Bridge Road, Stanton, KY 40380, 606-663-8100
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
One of our favorite day-trip getaways, Cumberland Falls is arguably one of the most beautiful places in our gorgeous state. There are several hiking options available with distances ranging from 0.25 miles up to 10 miles. One of the most popular hikes at Cumberland Falls is the Eagle Falls Trail. This trail is the only way to reach its namesake – Eagle Falls, and is quite popular. The relatively short hike is about 1.5 miles long and is fairly easy (although there are some steps). The trail offers stunning views of the falls and is open year round.
7351 Hwy 90, Corbin, KY 40701, 606-526-4121
If you are unsure about heading out oh a hike alone, Kentucky State Parks offer a number of guided group hikes at various parks. You can find more information and a schedule of hikes on the KY State Parks Website.
