Kentucky holds the secret to an amazing family vacation! Red River Gorge in Kentucky offers breathtaking natural beauty and fantastic trekking and hiking trails if you are a nature lover. You can also indulge in diverse and fun activities for families, such as mountain biking, guided exercises, zip-lines, underground kayak tours, bird watching, climbing and many more! Several of them are a unification of two or more smaller hikes brought together for your convenience. Hikers can find some unmarked, “unofficial” trails with different levels of difficulty to follow. Dogs are also allowed on the trails, but you must be able to keep them in leash all of the time. So, get ready to explore the area as you learn more about the best hiking and trekking spots in Red River Gorge, Kentucky.
1. Double Arch Trail
This unique Double Arch Trail, situated near Stanton, Kentucky, offers an unmarked trail and moderate hike of around 6.9 kilometers (4.3 miles). It features a river and a crowded out and back trail with an elevation gain of 195 meters (639.8 feet). The amount of time needed to complete this hike is about three to five hours or lesser if you are able to walk faster. Accessible year-round, this trail is mainly used for hiking. Hikers can get up on Double Arch’s top by utilizing the stairs on the right side of the arch. It carves into the rock.
Double Arch Trail
Address:10137 Campton Rd, Stanton, KY 40380
Website: Double Arch Trail
Season: All-year-round
2. Swift Camp Creek Trail
Swift Camp Creek Trail is a moderately trafficked out and back trail around 16.4 kilometers (10 miles) long with 580 meters (1903 feet) elevation gain. Being rated strenuous, it takes half-day or about three to six hours to enjoy this hike. Situated near Pine Ridge, Kentucky, this trail is mainly used for hiking, camping, and fishing. It features a waterfall and is accessible year-round. Magnificent scenery and true remoteness make for an unforgettable experience. Overall, hikers will have a great day in the forest.
Swift Camp Creek Trail
Address: Sky Bridge Rd, Pine Ridge, KY 41360
Website: Swift Camp Creek Trail
Season: All-year-round
3. Indian Staircase Trail
Located near Pine Ridge, Kentucky, Indian Staircase Trail is a heavily trafficked loop trail around 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles) featuring beautiful wildflowers. It is rated moderate with an elevation gain of 193 meters (633 feet). Accessible all-year-round, this trail offers several options. The Staircase trail provides a beautiful scenic area yet challenging for many hikers.
Indian Staircase Trail
Address: 3451 Sky Bridge Road, KY-715, Stanton, KY 40380
Website: Indian Staircase Trail
Season: All-year-round
4. Auxier Ridge Trailhead
Open all-year-round, Auxier Ridge Trail follows a high, narrow ridge 3.1 kilometer (1.9 miles) to its end. It offers countless views of Double Arch, Haystack Rock, Courthouse Rock, Raven Rock, and other panoramas of the Red River Gorge. This moderately rated trailhead has an elevation gain of 127 meters (416 feet), and it takes about 1 hour to hike. Hikers will be able to embrace the beautiful views and well-maintained trail. This is a short trail and great for newbies.
Auxier Ridge Trailhead
Address: Tunnel Ridge Rd, Stanton, KY 40380.
Website: Auxier Ridge Trailhead
Season: All-year-round
5. Buck Trail
Located near Pine Ridge, Kentucky, Buck Trail via Koomer Ridge Trail is an 8.9 kilometers (5.5 miles) out and back moderate trail that features an impressive forest setting. The path is mainly used for hiking, walking, and trail running. It also correlates to Koomer Ridge Trail with the Pinch-em-Tight section of the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail. As an out and back trail with the elevation gain of 295 meters (968 feet), Buck trail leads from one ridge to the other, across the right fork of Chimney Top Creek. Hikers will have a great day hiking with beautiful views and well-marked trails as well.
Buck Trail
Address: Near Pine Ridge, Kentucky, Koomer Ridge Trail end
Website: Buck Trail
Season: All-year-round
6. Whittleton Branch Trail
Situated near Pine Ridge, Kentucky, Whittleton Branch Trail is a 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) moderately trafficked out and back trail. This trail, which is greatly used from March to October, is suitable for all skill levels. Featuring a waterfall and beautiful views, it is excellent for a family hike. This easy trail with the elevation gain of 101 meters (331 feet) is mainly used for hiking, nature trips, walking, and birding as well.
Whittleton Branch Trail
Address: Whittleton Branch Rd Kentucky 40376
Website: Whittleton Branch Trail
Season: All-year-round
7. Rough Trail
As the longest trail through the heart of the Red River Gorge, Kentucky, this trail offers a 12.8 kilometers (8 miles) moderately trafficked loop trail. Situated near Pine Ridge, there are several side trail options allowing hikers to create additional loops and increase mileage. Meanwhile, this trail is rated as moderate with an elevation gain of 445 meters (1460 feet). The path is mainly used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching. It features beautiful wildflowers and is greatly used from March to November. For the best Red River Gorge experience, hikers can connect this trail with Swift Camp Creek Trail as well.
Rough Trail
Address: Fd-1006, Pine Ridge, KY 41360
Website: Rough Trail
Season: All-year-round
8. Wildcat Trail
Located near Pine Ridge, Kentucky, Wildcat Trail Loop is a 9.3 kilometers (5.7 miles) moderately trafficked loop trail. Accessible year-round, the trail, with the elevation gain of 279 meters (915 feet), is mainly used for hiking, walking, birding, and nature trips. Wildcat Trail starts at the eastern end of Rough Trail. After about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) hiking up Sift Camp, hikers can enjoy Wildcat Wall. It is a magnificent grove of hemlocks along an astounding cliff from Don Juans Garden.
Wildcat Trail
Address: Fd-1008 Kentucky 41360
Website: Wildcat Trail
Season: All-year-round
9. Rock Garden Trail
Located near Slade, Kentucky Rock Garden, Rock Garden Trail to Hood’s Branch Trail is a 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) lightly trafficked loop trail. This moderate trail with the elevation gain of 251 meters (823 feet) is mainly used for hiking and can be finished in a few hours. It features an impressive stone staircase carved into the rock front side, views of the Natural Bridge, the surrounding area, rock shelters, and creeks. Moreover, it offers the opportunity to see wildlife.
Rock Garden Trail
Address: 2135 Natural Bridge Rd, Slade, KY 40376-9026
Website: Rock Garden Trail
Season: All-year-round
10. Gray's Arch Trail
Gray’s Arch Trail Loop is a 5.5 kilometer (3.4 miles) heavily trafficked loop trail. Located near Slade, Kentucky, this moderate rated trail with the elevation gain of 177 meters (580.7 feet) features a river and offers some activity options. It is a beautiful, short, and easy trail with wooden steps and impressive views from the cliffs. This trail is greatly used from March to October.
Gray's Arch Trail
Address: Stanton, KY 40380
Website: Gray’s Arch Trail
Season: All-year-round
Experience the best hiking spots
Did you like the hiking and trekking spots in Red River Gorge, Kentucky, listing here? Save the trails you want to explore with families and the ones that you think are gorgeous, impressive, or inspiring. These best hiking and trekking spots in Red River Gorge, without any doubt, can make your vacation an enjoyable experience.
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