This Easy Fall Hike In Kentucky Is Under 2 Miles And You'll Love Every Step You Take
By Andrea Limke|Published September 29, 2018
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Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
Fall is a beautiful time of year to explore Kentucky’s countless hiking trails, as they are all painted with the vibrant colors of the season. Really any trail is ideal for witnessing the change in the seasons, but some of them truly shine. If you’re looking for a family (and dog) friendly hike that’s short and sweet this autumn, then consider the Cedar Sink Trail within Mammoth Cave National Park. This easy fall hike is under two miles and you’ll love every step you take.
Mammoth Cave National Park is one of the most popular destinations in Kentucky, but it's known more for its underground adventures rather than those in the daylight. However, the park is filled with scenic hiking trails that range from very difficult to easy for everyone, and the Visitor Center is a great place to start.
Here you can pick up a map of the trails and choose one, or a few, that match what you're looking for. If it's fall and perhaps you're wanting something on the short and easy side, check out the Cedar Sink Trail, which is bursting with color this season.
The trail can be completed in less than an hour and takes you past an incredible variety of landscapes. It's interesting without being too difficult and is a great opportunity to experience the unique geology of the park above ground.
The trail begins by winding through the woods for about a half a mile. This is especially picturesque in the peak of fall, with plenty of mature trees and thick foliage. This trail is also lovely in the spring as countless wildflowers line the path.
The trail then makes a circle around and through various rock formations and an intriguing sinkhole, many of which can be found throughout the park. The nice part about this trail is that you can experience cave overhangs, rocky walls, and steep hills, but they're easy to maneuver thanks to the stairs and a well-maintained trail.
The sinkhole itself and the rock formations are some of the many highlights along the trail. Don't forget your camera to capture these scenes, as well as the bright fall color that beautifully frames them.
The trail is marked as moderate due to the many stairs and elevation change. But you can take your time and rest when necessary any time you like. The trail is also great for kids and you can even bring along your pup, as long as they’re on a leash.
A visit to Mammoth Cave National Park must include a trip inside the cave, but it should also include time spent on the park's many above-ground trails. The Cedar Sink Trail is a great one to try as a family, you'll love every step you take along this easy fall hike in Kentucky.
The Cedar Sink Trail gives you an above ground, unique perspective of Mammoth Cave and it’s exceptionally beautiful in the fall. Have you hiked around this popular outdoor destination in Kentucky? What’s your favorite trail this time of year? Let us know in the comments!
For more information on this trail, as well as others within the park, visit its website here.
And for a few fun facts you probably didn’t know about Mammoth Cave, check out our previous article here.
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