The Marvelous 8.3-Mile Trail In Kentucky Leads Adventurers To A Little-Known Sand Cave
Caves are ubiquitous in Kentucky. From the longest underground cavern system in the world to a town literally built around a cave, you can enjoy a subterranean adventure pretty much anywhere in the Bluegrass State. One of our favorite caves is a little-known wonder that’s hiding at the end of an 8.3-mile hike. Come along with us on the Ewing Trail as we venture to a marvelous sand cave — in Kentucky *and* Virginia!
This is a sand cave; a beautiful, wonderful sand cave that's one of the most accessible caves in Kentucky... sort of.
Because this cave? It's located in Cumberland Gap. Spanning 24,000 acres across Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, it's one of the largest national parks in the eastern United States.
For this adventure, you'll hike the 8.3-mile Ewing Trail, the trailhead for which is actually located in Virginia. Because of its mileage and terrain, this hike is rated as moderate. Don't be deterred by the length, however -- there are lots of highlights along the trail that will make the miles fly by.
White Rocks is one of them. It's admittedly a bit of a climb to reach, but the perfect panoramas from this overlook will leave you completely speechless and in total awe.
(And yes -- while technically located in Virginia, we're claiming this stunning sand cave as part of the Bluegrass, because it's all connected!)
When you reach this massive cave, be sure to take some time to enjoy the scenery. It's stunning. The red and copper sandstone walls are unreal, like something you'd expect to find on another planet, maybe Mars?
Kentucky is full of places that will surprise you. In a state that's best-known for its rolling blue hills and glittering lakes, it's amazing to think that such wonders are hiding right beneath our feet. We're used to it, though... we know how special the Bluegrass is!
Have you hiked the Ewing Trail before? Did you know about this little-known sand cave hike in Kentucky (and Virginia)? What a marvelous find!
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I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
