12 Scenic Trails To Explore In Kentucky, One For Each Month Of The Year
This year, we’re resolving to get out and explore more. Kentucky is home to some of the most magnificent natural wonders in the country, and we’re making it our mission to embrace all the state has to offer! For us, this means logging some miles on the trails, as there really is no better way to experience the beauty of the Bluegrass, than to *immerse* yourself in it. We’ve put together the following list of 12 scenic trails to explore in Kentucky, one for each month of the year. Think of this as your hiking bucket list for the New Year!
We're kicking off a new year with one of our favorite hikes: the Cumberland Falls via Eagle Falls Trail. This trail is a 1.8-mile loop trail that's rated as moderate, and leads to two of the state's most stunning waterfalls: Cumberland Falls and Eagle Falls. Talk about a twofer!
Eagle Falls Trailhead Parking, Old Cumberland Falls Rd, Parkers Lake, KY 42634, USA
Land Between the Lakes (LBTL) is an absolutely splendid area with a rich and engaging landscape. This region stretches across the Kentucky and Tennessee borders, right between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. As winter coats the landscape, this dreamy natural space becomes a jaw-dropping nature scene. There are numerous hiking opportunities within LBTL, but we're partial to the Honker Lake Trail, a five-mile loop that traverses some of the best scenery in Kentucky!
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, 238 Visitor Center Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211, USA
What do you think Daniel Boone thought when he first gazed upon the Bluegrass? At Pilot Knob overlook in Kentucky, you can relive this monumental, magical moment. This overlook features one of the most stunning views in the state, and it’s reached via an accessible, two-mile hike. This is the perfect way to celebrate the impending arrival of spring in the Bluegrass! (It's also one of the best hikes in Kentucky.)
Pilot Knob, Kentucky 40312, USA
April showers bring May flowers... and also roaring, resplendent waterfalls! There are dozens of spots in every corner of the state that are absolutely captivating. But if you haven’t seen Dog Slaughter Falls in Daniel Boone National Forest near Corbin, well, we're about to change that! The 2.4-mile trek to the falls is a typical gorgeous Kentucky hike. You will wind through a tunnel of rhododendrons and lush forests as you follow Dog Slaughter Creek to the waterfall. Read more about this amazing waterfall hike in Kentucky in our previous article.
Dog Slaughter Falls, Kentucky 40769, USA
The birds are singing and the bees are buzzing, the flowers blooming and waterfalls rushing. It's spring in Kentucky, and we're celebrating the warmer weather and abundant life with a visit to Carter Caves. Carter Caves State Resort Park is a place of immense beauty and natural splendor; it's everything that makes Kentucky so unique and special -- all in one place. Here you'll find 33 miles of trails, winding through lush forests, pristine pools, and fascinating geological formations both above and below ground -- and on the Three Bridges Trail, one of the best hikes in Kentucky, you'll get to experience it all!
Carter Caves Road, Carter Caves Rd, Kentucky, USA
The Bluegrass is an incredible place for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, its trails providing challenging and scenic adventures that allow for an up-close experience of our beautiful state. One resplendent region that’s often overlooked by hikers, however, is Berea. The Berea Pinnacles are big and beautiful — and downright magical in the midst of spring's bloom! Look out over the hills and farmland and get a true sense of the beauty of our state when you hike the East and West Pinnacle Trail. Outside Magazine called the Pinnacle Hike the best in Kentucky in 2019; and indeed, this trek truly is extraordinary in every way. To get to these overlooks, however, you're going to need to lace up your hiking boots and set out on a 6.6-mile journey, so this hike is best for the early morning before the summer heat sets in. But trust us when we say: the payoff is well-worth the effort on this hiking trail in Kentucky!
West Pinnacle, 2047 Big Hill Rd, Berea, KY 40403, USA
In the height of the dog days of summer in the Bluegrass State, we're opting for an easy hike that leads to a refreshing, resplendent waterfall swimming pool. The hike to Flat Lick Falls is a 0.6-mile waterfall hike in Kentucky that is ideal for any age and ability and takes you to another world, right in the heart of Kentucky. And your reward for venturing out in the heat and humidity? A cerulean blue waterfall swimming hole in Kentucky!
Flat Lick Falls Recreational Area, McKee, KY 40447, USA
It's back-to-school season, and we can't think of a more appropriate way to celebrate than with this hike, which crosses through an actual school bus covered bridge! The Prestonsburg Passage Rail Trail begins in Archer Park, and, at 8.6 miles long, it's admittedly a bit of a haul. But after about six miles, you'll reach this unique spot: a school bus that's been converted into a covered bridge, which, in our opinion, is one of the coolest things ever. You may want to take a break here and snap a picture of this unique bridge, break for lunch, and then either finish the remaining two miles, or turn back. It's a more challenging, all-day kind of hike; but it's easily one of the most unique adventures in Kentucky, and a bucket-list must!
Prestonsburg Passage Rail Trail, Triple S Rd, David, KY 41616, USA
After a rather long hike in August, September has us slowing down for an easy hike that leads to the absolute best view of Louisville. Just 1.2 miles long, the hike to the Iroquois Park Overlook will have you marveling at the changing foliage and beautiful Bluegrass beauty. The hike ends at the Iroquois Park Overlook, one of those iconic places in Kentucky that you must put on your bucket list. Unrivaled views, an accessible trek, stunning natural scenery... what's not to love?!
Iroquois Park, Louisville, KY, USA
In a state that’s home to the largest underground cavern system on the planet, it can be hard for Kentucky’s other caves to stand out. But Sand Cave most certainly stands out. Located in one of the most scenic places in the country — Cumberland Gap — this massive sand cave is unlike anywhere else in the state. It’s of otherworldly beauty, and when you reach this stunning sand cave at the end of the Ewing Trail in Kentucky, you’ll know you’ve discovered something truly, wholly wondrous. (Did we mention the above-ground views -- especially during the height of fall foliage -- are dazzling, too?)
Parking lot, United States
Sand Cave, Kentucky 42127, USA
Breaks Interstate Park encompasses parts of both Kentucky and Virginia. The park is glorious; marked with an abundance of nature, bountiful hills, and sweeping canyons. The centerpiece of "The Breaks" is a five-mile, 1,650-foot-deep gorge that's commonly referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the South." It's a beautiful place to explore, and we're partial to the Breaks Interstate Park Loop Trail, a six-miler that traverses some of the best scenery in the Bluegrass!
Breaks Interstate Park, 627 Commission Cir, Breaks, VA 24607, USA
Tucked away in the appropriately named community of Pineville is a dreamy mountain landscape. Pine Mountain was Kentucky's first state park, established back in 1924. Ever since, visitors have found themselves charmed by its beauty and awe-inspiring features. The mile-long Chained Rock Trail is the perfect wintertime excursion, providing near-perfect panoramas of snow-tipped trees and frosted knobs.
Chained Rock Road, Chained Rock Rd, Pineville, KY 40977, USA
What are your favorite scenic trails in Kentucky? Share them with us in the comments below!
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Hiking In Kentucky
December 15, 2022
What are some of the best hikes in Kentucky?
Hiking in Kentucky is a great way to get outdoors and to reconnect with nature. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a newbie, you’ll find plenty of hiking trails in Kentucky. Here are just a few of the best hikes in Kentucky:
- Follow the 3.5-mile trail to Copperas Falls which leads to a small but beautiful waterfall.
- The Yahoo Falls Trail leads to the tallest waterfall in Kentucky.
- Tallying less than two miles, the Eagles Falls Trail in Cumberland Falls State Resort Park boasts stunning views of Cumberland Falls.
- Journey just over three miles on the Gray’s Arch Trail Loop through Daniel Boone National Forest to soak in an abundance of beautiful views.
- Dog Slaughter Falls Trail leads to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Kentucky.
Are there any kid-friendly hikes in Kentucky?
Hiking in Kentucky is so much fun, and the kiddos can join in. Many of the best kid-friendly trails in Kentucky span just a mile or less. Here are a few kid-friendly hikes in Kentucky:
- The half-mile Chimney Top Trail at Red River Gorge in Slade spans less than half of a mile and is perfect for watching the sunrise or the sunset.
- At just half of a mile, the Cumberland Falls Trail at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Corbin leads to the breathtaking waterfall.
- The Fire Tower Loop at Bernheim Forest in Clermont is just half of a mile and leads to a fire tower that boasts gorgeous views of the surrounding landscape.
- Set off on the Cedar Sink Trail at Mammoth Cave National Park in Park City that wanders .08 of a mile past wildflowers and caves.
If you’re up for a road trip, set off on this road trip to the best easy hikes in Kentucky.
