The Best Hiking Trails in Kentucky (United States)

The Pinnacles - Berea College Forest

Hiking

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jrsmith43

Distance

3.61mi

Elevation +

1001f

TrailRank

39

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Great trail system with multiple valley overlooks and interesting rock formations. Trails are well maintained hard pack surface, with good erosion control features. Overall the hiking is moderate with some steep climbs. ...

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Buttermilk Falls in Brandenburg, KY

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TacoDave-o

Distance

3.82mi

Elevation +

262f

TrailRank

34

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Starts out paved then trail thru woods. Green pin is start of paved section. Red pin is where our bus parked. This was my first hike with the Louisville Hiking Club. Most of group went out on a parallel path so they had ...

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Cave Run Lake - Caney Loop

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Tarke

Distance

8.55mi

Elevation +

2677f

TrailRank

32

It is a up and down walk next to the lake and then in to the forest. Near the end we just wanted to get out before dark so we took a shortcut. If you wanted to finish it, you would go straight at the second fork. The one...

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Pinnacles in Berea College Forst

Hiking

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Tarke

Distance

3.27mi

Elevation +

1263f

TrailRank

30

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The trails are not marked for the most part. It is still is very nice out there. The first part of the path didn't have the points needed to make it match the path but it is close. There are still more POIs out there. I ...

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Red River Gorge Backpacking Trip

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Bob Fish

Distance

21.46mi

Elevation +

2894f

TrailRank

27

3 Day backpacking trip in Red River Gorge, Kentucky We started at the Trail to the Suspension Bridge and headed south on the Sheltowee Trace Trail, then Koomer Ridge Trail, then Buck Trail. We camped on Hanson Ridge, ...

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Cave Run Lake - Lakeview Ridge Trail #122

Hiking

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Suzi Wood

with

Distance

3.18mi

Elevation +

46f

TrailRank

26

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Easy hike near Twin Knobs Recreation area. Lots of mosquitos, flies and spiders but fine if you spray repellant before hiking.

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Siltstone/Purple Heart

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The Rabbit

Distance

4.22mi

Elevation +

600f

TrailRank

23

The problem with this one that it is also a horse trail causing deep ruts in the trail itself. Also trail maintenance is poor. In spots the trail is overgrown and grass comes up to your knees. So spraying is a must.

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Kentucky Red River Gorge - Suzanna Arch

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Bob Fish

Distance

4.24mi

Elevation +

489f

TrailRank

23

Hike to Suzanna Arch from vacation home in Cliffview and then back via a very short cross-country and then dirt road to highway 715

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Fort Thomas | Highland Hills Park | Cardinal - Mayfield - Forest Ave - James Trails Loop

Hiking

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trail.guru

Distance

1.57mi

Elevation +

184f

TrailRank

23

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Large loop around Highland Hills Park to explore and find some of the wood carvings along the trails. Seemed like they were in the middle of leveling and widening most of the trail. Lots of splintered root systems sticki...

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Eagles Point Backpacking

Hiking

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Shrekfirefighter

Distance

5.25mi

Elevation +

1125f

TrailRank

22

Easy loop overnight of backpacking to one of the great views in RRG. Note the south section is very rough, and there is a serious climb to make the top of the lookout. Dangerous during snow or ice.

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Flea Falls

Hiking

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John Napier

Distance

1.59mi

Elevation +

112f

TrailRank

22

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Flea Falls - no trail just follow your nose. Hard to find an access point so study maps. I started at the Onyx JobCorp site, but the next time I went, they said no, I couldn't use their land as a starting point. It is a ...

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Big South Fork Blue Heron Loop

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Inato

Distance

2.54mi

Elevation +

571f

TrailRank

21

This is a 6.4 mile loop in Big South Fork National River and Recreational Area. However, the tracks included cover only the two miles of the trail that follows along the river. Waypoints have been included for three pote...

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Fairmount Falls Park, Louisville, KY (9601 Thixton Ln)

Hiking

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TacoDave-o

Distance

1.14mi

Elevation +

151f

TrailRank

20

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Mostly flat, downhill toward the end. Trail crosses creek very near top of falls. Muddy today. Note access limited to 3 cars per day (!) due to tiny parking lot. Must reserve spot thru Jefferson Memorial Forest at 502-36...

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East Pinnacle

Hiking

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Tarke

Distance

5.08mi

Elevation +

2034f

TrailRank

16

The trail to the East Pinnacles has a harder walk in the beginning but it is easy after this. Most of it is more on the easier side then the West Pinnacle.

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Audubon State Park Back Country (BC) Trail

Hiking

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TheCheatOSX

Distance

2.95mi

Elevation +

420f

TrailRank

16

Accessed through Warbler Rd. and Wilderness Lake Trail, travels over hilly terrain in northern section of Nataure Preserve.

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Thorobred Trail

Hiking

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SFry1978

Distance

0.92mi

Elevation +

210f

TrailRank

12

This paved trail, just opened in 2021, begins at the end of Clinton St (actually named Reagan) near Commonwealth Credit Union, and partly follows an old railbed. Incline is slight at the bottom, but near the top are some...

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DoeRun KentonCo Kentucky

Hiking

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The_Toolshed

Distance

2.56mi

Elevation +

112f

TrailRank

12| 4.67

Local lake with a pretty nice hiking trail around. Also a good Geocaching area. Fishing wasn't all that good when I went a few times last year.

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Taylorsville Wildlife Trail

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J C 15

Distance

0.55mi

Elevation +

30f

TrailRank

12

A quick easy looping trail near Taylorsville Lake, on the grounds of Taylorsville State Park. There is a viewing shelter near the trailhead to go sit and watch for birds, butterflies, deer, or whatever.

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DoeRun KentonCo Kentucky

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The_Toolshed

Distance

2.56mi

Elevation +

112f

TrailRank

9

Local lake with a pretty nice hiking trail around. Also a good Geocaching area. Fishing wasn't all that good when I went a few times last year.

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Otter creek trail-en perretxikorik ez!!!

Hiking

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dbaltza

Distance

8.87mi

Elevation +

400f

TrailRank

49| 5.0

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Ruta facil, se complica un poco cerca del río Ohio, hay que destrepar un poco, pero buen paseo, la mayoría a la sombra

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NordEnd of N/S Trail 4 D E to Higgins Bay

Hiking

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Valentín Arranz Rodríguez

Distance

9.71mi

Elevation +

528f

TrailRank

35

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NordEnd of N/S Trail 4 D_E to Higgins Bay

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Tioga falls & Bridges to the past trails

Hiking

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dbaltza

Distance

4.44mi

Elevation +

289f

TrailRank

29| 5.0

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Tioga falls &Bridges to the past trails

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Slade

Hiking

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dbaltza

Distance

8.72mi

Elevation +

574f

TrailRank

29

Slade, Ruta fácil, la ruta es circular pero no deje de grabar y los últimos kilómetros son del parking a la gasolinera para comprar bebidas

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