There’s nothing like hiking in Kentucky. The Bluegrass is bursting with so many beautiful trails -- some of them lead to a cave or a waterfall, while others circle a lake to make the experience extra special. Did you know there’s a trail that has all three of the above features? Let's take a hike along Glade Branch Trail, a triple threat of a hiking trail in Kentucky.
This 2.9-mile out-and-back trail begins at the end of Glade Branch Road and takes a little over an hour to complete. It’s a nice, short hike with a lot of great scenery packed into it.
Beautiful rock cliffs and abundant wildlife make this trail a joy to traverse and it’s rare to see other people on it, which means you’ll have this bit of nature all to yourself. The rock formations here are formed into all sorts of intriguing shapes.
It’s a great place for birding, and part of the trail is next to open fields and meadows with lovely views where you might see a deer or some rabbits.
If you come here during the right time of year, you may get to see gorgeous wildflowers in various vibrant colors.
When you encounter this flowing stream, you’ll know you’re about to discover a stunning area of serenity and allure.
Little nooks like this with waterfalls of various sizes await you here, which are wonderful places for relaxing and taking a break to appreciate their beauty.
There are caves here of varying depths, some with a waterfall inside and some you can crawl into in case of rainfall.
Finally, you’ll reach Glade Branch, a part of Paintsville Lake that has a small beach and is the perfect place to camp under the stars and do a bit of fishing.
Have you ever been to Glade Branch Trail in Kentucky? Let us know about your experiences in the comments. Be sure to check AllTrails for any closures or updates. If you’d like to experience more lovely trails, check out these easy hikes in Kentucky.
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