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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

  • 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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  • 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 to Natural Bridge and Battleship Rock

    3.8
    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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Stanton, Kentucky

    Hike to Gray's Arch

    5.0
    3.3 mi
    The trail approaches the arch through a ravine, passing by cliffs, dense forest, and a stream (Kings Branch) en route.
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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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Henderson, Kentucky

    Hike the Wilderness Lake Trail

    3.0
    1 mi / 0 ft gain
    This well kept trail is one of seven trails at John James Audubon State Park. A great short hike for the family starts at roughly 600 ft with minimal elevation change. The trail is surrounded by hardwoods and moss for the first half mile then the forest opens up to a small lake/wetlands area. The...
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  • Brownsville, Kentucky

    Hike the Cedar Sink Trail

    5.0
    1.6 mi / 333 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 the...
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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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  • Gillmore, Kentucky

    Hike the Creation Falls and Rock Bridge Loop

    4.8
    1.38 mi / 285 ft gain
    From the Slade, KY exit take KY15 toward Campton to KY715 to Rock Bridge Rd.  Park at the Rock Bridge picnic area and take the trailhead closest to the entrance. The trailhead will quickly descend surrounding you with lush vegetation.  A rockshelter can be found on the right hand side of the tra...
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  • Shepherdsville, Kentucky

    Hike the Millennium Trail, Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

    4.0
    13.6 mi
    The Millennium Trail in the Bernheim Forest combines a number of trails into a full day's hike. The well-marked trail passes over ridges and through forest and meadows, with some ups and downs. A trail map of the park can be found here.
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