Arch Overload Tour

Jun 10

WARNING
This hike takes place on PRIVATE PROPERTY and criminal trespass in the second degree comes with a penalty of up to 90 days in jail and up to a $250 fine. Please respect property rights.

Tour Recap. With summertime weekend crowds in full effect, we booked the Arch Overload Tour with Leave No Trace Adventures - meaning, we didn’t have to sweat parking thanks to the private tour on private land.

The tour is a stunning display of the geological wonders commonplace in Red River Gorge Geological Area with a total of 10 arches and a terrific clifftop view.

In terms of hike ‘feel’, it’s a gorge classic! Plenty of short, punchy elevation change with a dozen beautiful scenes packed into a short 3+ miles. The loop and spurs are a combination of old timber roads, young singletrack trail, and a couple dirt class two scrambles.

This was a phenomenal hike with more arches per mile than just about anywhere else in the Red, but with one very important difference - no carving, no paint, no graffiti of any kind.

Add in our super knowledgeable guides - Boyd and Christie - and it was an outstanding half day on the trails. I cannot more highly recommend this hike to you.

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Arches List
Adventure Mountain Arch
Gage’s Arch
Golden Cathedral Arch
Inspiration Arch
Reptile Arch
Timothy Arch
Tiny Triangle Arch
Sand Painting Arch
South Fork Pillar Arch
South Fork Twin Arches

Route Type | Loop and Spurs
Total Distance | 3.38 miles
Elevation Gain | 864 feet
Overall Difficulty | Moderate to Strenuous with Class 2 Scrambles

HIKER NOTE - Recommended Gear. Be sure to wear hiking shoes or boots with good (aggressive) grip and trekking poles are very nice to have. Be sure to remove the rubber tips from your poles (these are for pavement).

HIKER NOTE - Scrambles. The scrambles currently on the loop are dirt in variety. One has some rope to make things easier and the other - the final one - does not. When executing a dirt scramble, side step, don’t crossover your legs, and keep a low center of gravity. If you slide a bit, just relax and maintain balance. Skiers will be very familiar with this feel and stance.

CAUTION - Deadly Drops. Long falls from high places are the #1 non-health related cause of death for hikers in Kentucky. Keep your distance from the edges of cliffs to avoid a deadly fall. Young children should be kept close.

CAUTION - Poisonous Snakes. Copperheads and timber rattlesnakes can be found in the area. Should you encounter one, stop and slowly back away. Always give venomous snakes a wide berth. Know Before You Go => University of Kentucky Venomous Snake Guide

CAUTION - Black Bears. Ursus Americanus - a.k.a. the American black bear is growing in population throughout much of Kentucky. Know Before You Go => US Forest Service Black Bear Safety Tips