A beautiful green space in the heart of Lexington welcomes visitors with four paws. The Legacy Trail is the longest paved multi-use trail in central Kentucky and it’s the perfect escape for man’s best friend. There are miles of tranquil paths to explore and a trailside refreshment spot that also welcomes dogs. Here’s what you need to know about Lexington’s dog-friendly Legacy Trail.
The Legacy Trail is actually a pretty new path. The 12-mile shared-use trail opened in 2010, connecting downtown Lexington with neighborhoods, parks, and historic sites.
The trail starts at Isaac Murphy Memorial Garden, the first park in the United States to honor early African American professional athletes – horse jockeys. The trail ends at the Kentucky Horse Park, which is a working horse farm, international equestrian competition venue, and an educational theme park.
The trail was built as part of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. It served as a recreational, non-motorized greenway for people traveling between the Horse Park and downtown Lexington.
It still serves that role and leashed dogs are welcome on the trail. It’s a great place to stretch your paws!
Just off the trail in Lexington, you’ll find an ideal rest spot – the dog-friendly West Sixth Brewing Company is the perfect place to catch your breath. If you’re a human, you can enjoy a cold IPA, and if you’re a dog, you can enjoy a plush IPA dog toy!
The trail has a few hills and is covered with smooth pavement. It has a lot of turns and bends, but it's easy to follow once you are on it.
While dogs are welcome on the Legacy Trail, be sure to be a responsible dog walker by picking up after your dog and being mindful of traffic that’s approaching or overtaking you. If your dog is not good around people or bikes, it would be better to choose a different place for a walk. Here are some more hiking trails to explore – be sure to check each trail’s dog policy.
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