Kentucky

Looking for the best hiking in Kentucky? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Kentucky. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Kentucky

  • Berea, Kentucky

    Hike the Pinnacles in Berea

    4.9
    6.59 mi / 1014 ft gain
    This is a trip with multiple sites to visit over the course of a day. Visiting all five would equal around 5 miles, or you can choose to only go to one, as there are some slightly strenuous hills. The most visited is the Main Lookout, and the West Pinnacle offers a little rock climbing. Between ...
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  • Slade, Kentucky

    Hike the Indian Staircase Loop and Cloudsplitter

    5.0
    10 mi
    Starting at the Bison Way Trailhead #210. You'll take this until you come to the intersection of the Sheltowee Trace Trail #100. Go left. You're going to turn right on the unmarked trail just past the sign that says stay on trail. This is quite the incline. Keeping going until you get to the base...
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  • Pineville, Kentucky

    Explore the Lookout from Chained Rock

    5.0
    Located just north of the Cumberland Gap, Chained Rock is a local landform made unique by a long slung chain that comes with a tall tale of it's creation. According to legend the rock pinnacle overlooking the Cumberland River valley struck fear into the minds of young children, which was eased wi...
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  • Beattyville, Kentucky

    Climb at the Motherlode in Red River Gorge

    1.2 mi
    These directions are similar to those marked in the Red River Gorge Climbing Guide. Be sure to pick one up at Miguel's Pizza or elsewhere to get a good idea of where all of the crags and climbing routes are. This adventure is to the Volunteer Wall and The Gallery crags.  The parking lot is marked...
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  • Stanton, Kentucky

    Hike to Courthouse Rock and Double Arch

    5.0
    6.1 mi
    Start at the trailhead located just past the Gray's Arch picnic area. Follow Auxier Ridge Trail #204 (white diamonds). You will pass a trail junction at 0.9 miles, but continue on Auxier Ridge. At the following fork in the trail keep right.Along the trail, you will catch views from the ridge of R...
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  • Olive Hill, Kentucky

    Hike to Lick Falls

    5.0
    3 mi
    The Grayson Lake State Park has two trails – the Lick Falls Loop Trail, and the 0.8 mile Beech-Hemlock Forest Trail. Lick Falls is best done after a rain, to make sure the falls are flowing. A trail map of the park can be found here.
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  • Stanton, Kentucky

    Hike the Auxier Ridge Trail, KY

    5.0
    4 mi / 1300 ft gain
    This can be done as a quick hike, or as an overnighter so you can catch both sunset and sunrise.  Park at the Auxier Ridge Trailhead and take the Auxier Ridge Trail (#204).  Do NOT take the branch on the left for the Courthouse Rock Trail (#202), which you will see after about 1 mile.  In about 2...
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  • Williamsburg, Kentucky

    Eagle Falls, Cumberland Falls SRP

    4.8
    1.89 mi / 699 ft gain
    Rated easy to moderate, this hike does have lots of stairs. Rated easy to moderate, this hike does have lots of stairs. Along the way to Eagle Falls you will pass one of the best views of Cumberland Falls. Part of the lower trail may at times be muddy or inaccessible due to water levels.
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  • Slade, Kentucky

    Hike to Natural Bridge and Battleship Rock

    4.0
    2 mi / 400 ft gain
    This popular hike begins near the state park gift shop and has options to continue to other trails at multiple points. The first .75 miles, starting at about 800 feet, is the hike up to the Natural Bridge. This portion of the hike contains basically all of the increase in elevation. As you hike u...
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  • West Point, Kentucky

    Hike to Tioga Falls

    4.7
    1.9 mi / 354 ft gain
    Recently the trail to Tioga Falls has re-opened even though they are still doing trail restoration. This is short little 1.9 mile out and back trail is perfect for the family and has one of the best waterfalls if you live anywhere near Louisville, Kentucky. Now while there is about 350 feet of el...
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  • 1091-1111 Elklick Road, Kentucky

    Hike to Hickory Flats Firetower

    5.0
    1.2 mi / 435 ft gain
    To find the starting point navigate straight to the marker pin. At the end of the paved road, a gravel road will start. Just a couple hundred feet up the gravel road on the left there is a gate. Park infront of the gate (not in the road). Vehicles are not permitted but the Daniel Boone National F...
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  • Wilmore, Kentucky

    Hike to the Cave at Asbury Trails

    4.0
    1 mi / 430 ft gain
    The Asbury University trail system is located just south of Wilmore, KY along the lush emerald banks of the Kentucky River. Leisurely looping through the luscious limestone landmasses of the Kentucky bluegrass region, the trails at Asbury offer visitors an opportunity to obtain up-close understan...
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  • Corbin, Kentucky

    Dog Slaughter Falls

    4.0
    2.32 mi / 417 ft gain
    Getting There When headed towards Cumberland Falls State Resort Park on Kentucky-90, watch for a gravel forest service road on the right (FS-195).  The Dog Slaughter Falls Trail has two trailheads along this road. The first one is about 0.8 miles down the gravel road, but I'm going to suggest t...
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  • Wellington, Kentucky

    Rock Climb Foxfire at the Red River Gorge

    Directions to Eagle Point Buttress from the Shell gas Station.Head west on KY-15 for 1.6 miles then turn left onto KY 77. Stay on KY-77 for 5.1 miles. While you are on this road you will go through a oneway tunnel so be careful of cars coming out from the other side. Once you cross a bridge over ...
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  • Smiths Grove, Kentucky

    Cedar Sink Trail

    5.0
    1.71 mi / 277.12 ft gain
    Starting at the parking lot off of National Park Boundary Road, you will follow the marked sign on the path until you hit a set of metal stairs heading downward. Take the stairs to the bottom and take the first left on the trail to the observation deck that overlooks the Cedar Spring. A map of t...
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  • Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

    Hike to Sunset Point

    5.0
    0.3 mi / 0 ft gain
    This small hike is inside of the Mammoth Cave National Park is well know and provides a great place for small kids and is handicap accessible. The pathway itself is a flat boardwalk and is only about .3 of a mile. It features beautiful views of the mountains and lots of wildlife. The hike is also...
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