Take a Unique Adventure On Kentucky’s Best Rail Trail

One of the most underrated attractions in Kentucky is Mammoth Cave National Park. While you can drive there, why not spend more time soaking up the typography above ground before descending into the cave below? One of the best rail trails in Kentucky, the Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike and Hike Trail, allows visitors to do just that. It's a unique way to enter the national park and explore the area at a different pace.

Where This Rail Trail Is and What Makes It Unique

Built atop the Mammoth Cave Railroad, this rail-to-trail path was once used to help Victorian-era tourists reach the cave's entrance. The trail begins in Park City and stretches all the way to the visitor center, which is a convenient place to lock up the bikes and begin exploring the subterranean attractions.

Today, the historic path is a nine-mile combination of paved surface, packed gravel, and wood bridges that make up the pathway. And thanks to its easy gradients and well-managed trail surfaces, it's a suitable ride for cyclists of all levels. Using a bike to reach this national park allows people to move at a faster pace, so they can see and do more during their visit.

What You’ll See Along the Way

No matter what part of the Mammoth Cave Railroad Trail your bike whisks you along, the entire trail is set inside a diverse environment with dense forests and the Green River. It isn't uncommon to spot wildlife along the way, with some of the most common native species including white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, coyotes, and small mammals like mice and shrew. Of course, there are plenty of colorful birds and birds of prey if you look up, too. Red-tailed hawks are commonly spotted as well as warblers, sparrows, and, of course, bats.

Once you've pedaled through the forests and have reached the cave system, you'll find an entirely different world below. The limestone cave passages cover 390 miles, making it the world's longest cave. It's also one of the country's oldest tourist attractions, which is why the Mammoth Cave Railroad cars are well worth visiting on your ride along this scenic bike trail in Kentucky.

While the Mammoth Cave Railroad Trail is nine miles long, you can always follow additional trails or ride in Park City to put more miles on the bike in one day. While you won't find the best waterfalls in Kentucky around these trails, you can bike along the Green River. It's also worth detouring to take the Green River Ferry, which opens up more loop trails to ride.

Tips For Visiting

Shoulder seasons tend to be the best time to visit if you plan on riding this rail trail. While there is shade through the forested sections, extreme temperatures in the summer paired with humidity can make it less pleasurable. Spring offers pleasant conditions with blooming wildflowers, and fall foliage is always popular. Try to visit on a weekday if possible to avoid the weekend crowds.

It's entirely possible to bring your own bike to do this ride, but you can also rent hybrid or gravel bikes that are better suited to the terrain of some stretches of this pathway. Always remember to bring (and wear) your helmet, as well as water, sunscreen, and a light layer to help protect yourself from the sun, rain, or the chill in the caves below.

While Mammoth Caves remain a popular attraction, few people take advantage of this lesser-known way to enjoy the national park. Unlike traditional hikes or simply driving to reach the caves, biking allows you to slow down and really drink in all the landscape offers. The effort of biking the Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike and Hike Trail gives you the chance to be active while slowing down to observe more of the surroundings and wildlife that so many people miss. This high-reward outdoor experience is an equally historical experience that only increases the reward of visiting this shockingly large cave system. So, pack your gear and visit this Kentucky attraction in an entirely different way.