Overview. This route is a rite of passage for Kentucky Hikers, and those who travel this path won’t soon forget it. The route described here is the ‘hard way’ moving from west to east and features five steep climbs, four overlooks, four arches, and some truly magnificent forest scenes. Check the notes below for some tips to make this easier.

Route Type | Point to Point
Total Distance | 12.46 miles
Eastbound Elevation Gain | 2,970 feet
Westbound Elevation Gain | 2,622 feet
Overall Difficulty | Strenuous with Three Easy Sections and a Few Class 2 Scrambles

GPS Waypoints
Martin’s Fork Parking Lot | 37.820247, -83.666886
Rough Trailhead | 37.819503, -83.667339
Martin’s Fork Overlook | 37.809008, -83.661961
Gray’s Arch Trail Junction | 37.808953, -83.660511
Mid-step Arch | 37.817942, -83.657719
Turn to Gray’s Arch | 37.817703, -83.658092
Little Gray’s Arch | 37.817742, -83.658144
Gray’s Arch | 37.816986, -83.658031
Turn to The Veranda | 37.819236, -83.645575
The Veranda | 37.818119, -83.641011
Turn to Hanson’s Point | 37.811556, -83.636472
Hanson’s Point | 37.816633, -83.626572
”Lightning Rod Overlook” | 37.810500, -83.634411
Rough Trail Window | 37.803492, -83.603447
Crossover to Swift Camp Creek Trail | 37.801836, -83.590897
Turn to Angel Windows | 37.798369, -83.590656
Angel Windows Trailhead | 37.798767, -83.591197
Angel Windows | 37.799903, -83.592589
Red River Gorge Area Map

Parking. Limited parking is available at the Martin’s Fork parking lot on KY-77 (Nada Tunnel Road). This lot frequently fills up over the weekends from Spring through Fall.

Trail Navigation. This route uses heavily trafficked trails. It is easy to get lost momentarily, but very difficult to actually get lost if you save a copy of this page as a .pdf, upload the .gpx file to a map app, save the waypoints, and properly use a map and compass. Rough, Gray’s, Swift Camp Creek, and Angel Windows Trails are marked and maintained - follow the white diamond blazes. The spurs to The Veranda and Hanson’s Point are unmarked and unmaintained, but are readily discernable by following the widest trail. Hanson’s Point will eventually be added to the official trail system, so it will be blazed as well at some point in the future.

Here is the navigation in simplest form:

• Begin at Martin’s Fork Parking Lot

• Turn right (southwest) and walk KY-77 to reach the trailhead

• Cross the footbridge and stay straight past Military Wall and Left Flank Trail junctions

• Take the left fork to stay on Rough Trail and head uphill at the junction with D. Boon Hut Trail

• Enjoy the smaller views on the way to the top of the ridge

• Turn left (northwest) at the large heavily impacted patch near Martin’s Fork Overlook

• Return to the trail and turn left to follow Rough Trail

• Turn left (north) at the Gray’s Arch Trail junction and descend

• Make a sharp left at the base of the second staircase to see Mid-step Arch

• Return to the trail and descend, continuing straight (southwest) to the Gray’s Arch Trail Spur

• Look up and to the right to see Little Gray’s Arch

• Ascend to Gray’s Arch; place your feet on the flat spots on the somewhat pointy rock and use your left hand to balance while ascending

• Enjoy Gray’s Arch and retrace your steps

• Go straight (east, then north) at the trail junction to continue on Rough Trail

• Drop down awhile before ascending to Rush Ridge

• Go straight past the trail junction and look for a junction with a sharp turn; go straight (east-southeast) for The Veranda

• Follow the most well-trod path to reach The Veranda while passing a couple campsites along the way

• Retrace your steps and turn left (south-southwest) to descend on Rough Trail

• Drop down and climb back up

• Very near the top of the ridge, turn left (north) at the wide trail - this is Hanson’s Point Trail

• Continue on single track trail before reach a couple large, impacted camping areas - stay right at each and follow the widest path - one campsite can throw you off course, but retrace and continue generally east

• Retrace your steps and turn left (southeast) on Rough Trail

• Stay left (east) at the junction with Pinch ‘em Tight Trail

• Go straight at the water crossing in a southeastern direction; Sheltowee Trace splits north here

• Continue southeast (left) past the junction with Koomer Ridge Trail

• Continue up to the next ridge and cross Chimney Rock Road

• Descend and walk along Parched Corn Creek north before crossing east

• Ascend to KY-715 and crossover on Swift Camp Creek Trail

• Make a sharp right turn (west-northwest) at the unmarked, but well trod spur to Angel Windows

• Walk to Angel Windows and retrace your steps to the parking lot

• Done

HIKER NOTE - Allow Plenty of Time. This is one of the most physical hikes outside of the mountains in Kentucky. If you’re not used to this type of punchy terrain, be sure to allow plenty of time - this might range from 45 to 75 minutes per mile depending on the hiker.

HIKER NOTE - Uphill Skills. Take shorter strides uphill and keep an even pace. Shorter strides take elevation in smaller doses and helps to keep your heart rate down compared to taking ‘normal’ strides. Hiking poles are helpful to add your upper body to the fight against gravity. Engage ‘four-wheel drive’ with your poles and slow your pace to avoid gasping for breath. Steady, well-below-maximum effort is ideal.

HIKER NOTE - Downhill Skills. Shorter strides here are beneficial as well to reduce your risk of falling by maintaining a tighter center of gravity. Hiking poles can be lengthened on downhills and used to add balance and reduce the load on knees. If you have bad knees, using poles in this way can be helpful - you can even extend them and place palms on top to help reduce lower body loads in a braking type of stance.

HIKER NOTE - Water Carry and Filter Stops. Bring a water filter and filter water when needed at any of the bottoms that each have reliable water except in substantial drought conditions. Avoid carrying too much weight that for day hikers is typically sourced from water carry.

HIKER NOTE - Bail Outs. If the struggle is real, there are numerous bailouts on the route at Gray’s Arch Trail, Rush Ridge Trail, Pinch ‘em Tight Trail, Koomer Ridge Trail, and Chimney Rock Road. Gray’s, Rush, and Pinch ‘em all lead to Tunnel Ridge Road for pick-up. Koomer Ridge leads up to Koomer Ridge Campground.

HIKER NOTE - Don’t Be THAT Friend. This is not a good route for inexperienced hikers. If you bring a friend that hasn’t gotten into hiking and/or isn’t physically fit, they will hate this hike and have difficulty completing it. Take them on the Hanson’s to Gray’s Loop instead and add The Veranda if you like. Going out to Hanson’s first builds confidence and delivers an epic view. That loop cuts out three of the climbs and is a good opening dose of Rough Trail hiking.

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