Sand Gap, White’s Branch Arch, Ramp Arch, Twilight Arch, Natural Bridge, and Rock Garden Window Complex
There’s nothing to see, then there is a ton to see! This hike has some beautiful forest walking for the first 4+ miles before reaching the ridgeline to four arches, four overlooks, and plenty of amazing geology. The hike is moderately difficulty overall, but a class 4 scramble is required to reach White’s Branch and Ramp Arches. Overall, this is one of the best 10+ mile routes in the Red River Gorge Region, but can be made shorter with more direct approaches (see hiker notes below).
Markers Arch Out and Back
This is an often overlooked arch thanks to its neighboring attractions at Yahoo Recreation Area. When visiting Yahoo Falls, Overlooks, and Arch, make a pit stop here to get the legs warm. And, notice there is a second opening on the east side of the rock formation. See the hiker note below about that.
Split Bow Arch Out and Back
This is one of the more interesting arches in Kentucky and a short walk in the woods. The trail takes you through the arch and is most commonly hiked as a loop. Short on daylight, we shaved a few steps off the hike with the out and back route instead.
Natural Arch Loop
This was the first hike I did in the region many years ago, and it remains a great, short hike to one of Kentucky’s most impressive arches. The rock outcropping that seemingly comes up out of nowhere is as impressive as the arch and a beautiful walk in the forest.
Natural Arch Handicap Accessible Overlook
This is a nice, quick walk on paved path to a developed platform looking out over Natural Arch and the Great Gulf. It’s worthy of a stop anytime you’re driving by on US-27 and additional hiking with routes ranging from a quarter mile to 6.5 miles on Buffalo Canyon Loop.
Bertis Arch Out and Back Bushwhack
After visiting on a snow covered day in Winter, I was hoping to find a user trail to the arch. Aaaand, there isn’t one:-) While the arch is spectacular with some incredible color, it’s a difficult reach thanks to a very steep soil final ascent with very poor footing. Be sure to read the notes and cautions below before heading out.
Anvil and Eholia Arches 1 & 2 Out and Back
It had been a couple years since my last visit here, and what a great day to be back! This hike not only has plenty of off trail flavor, I also noticed a third arch (Eholia Arch #2) on the route along with a gloriously eroded piece of sandstone (pictured below). This isn’t an easy hike and the arches certainly aren’t going to win any beauty pageants, but for off trail hikers and arch hunters, this hike is a winner!
Osborne Bend Loop with Unicorn and Osborne Bend Arches
This quiet loop combines single track, double track, and road for a nice walk through the woods. Along the way, we enjoyed a pair of small, but beautiful arches with Unicorn Arch particularly stunning thanks to ice curtains on either side of it. Also, don’t completely discount the road walk. The wintertime views of Hens Nest and Sky Bridge are a nice bonus!
Snow Day at Bertis Arch
I thoroughly enjoyed this hike and the arch was more beautiful than expected. Most of the hike is on forest roads and trails, but the portion ascending to Bertis Arch and dropping down the other side of the knob does NOT have a trail. That final approach was dicey today with slick terrain thanks to a blanket of snow and frozen/icy ground and rock. I would suggest hiking this in dry weather for better footing and a much safer hike.
Snow Day at Zilpo Arch
This is a great stop whenever visiting this section of forest, as it’s only a few dozen paces off the road. Zilpo Arch is officially classified as ‘irregular’ just like a similar arch a little south - Devil’s Market House Arch. Arches like this are oddities, and explaining their formation would be clumsy at best, but hey, maybe this was a coffee table for giants:-)
Devil’s Market House Arch and KY-122 Arch Out and Back
Devil’s Market House Arch is one of the most beautiful and distinctive arches in all of Kentucky. And, while KY-122 is relatively short in height, the sandstone patterning on the back side of the arch is phenomenal. For an easier day, skip KY-122 Arch and save half the mileage while still catching a highlight reel arch.
Snow Day at Whistling Arch
Finishing off the day at Whistling Arch was pretty much perfect. The clouds finally broke and the wintry scene here is fantastic - particularly at the overlook. When you step out to the overlook, take care not to get too close to the edge when ice/snow are present, but take your time enjoying the view and listening to the waterfalls below.
Snow Day at Sky Bridge
I’ve hiked this little loop more times than I can recall, and it’s always gorgeous. Taking in the views and arch with snow was especially nice - even if the clouds lingered much later than forecast. When visiting the area, this is a great, short hike with plenty of eye candy.
Snow Day at Rock Bridge and Creation Falls
This hike is always a pleasure - and getting a snow day before the road closes for the season is even better! With 6 to 10 inches of snow in the area, the setting was fantastic. I strapped on some microspikes and enjoyed a nice, safe hike over snow and ice.
Red Byrd Arch Out and Back from Calaboose Ridge Road
This is a beautiful arch sitting up above Red River in Clifty Wilderness. Littered with deadfall from the last couple decades or more and featuring a steep final approach with a little spice, it’s a fun and enjoyable hike for experienced, adventurous hikers.
Arch of Triumph, Star Gap Arch, Double Arch, and The Observatory for Sunset
This is a classic route in Red River Gorge using a combination of marked and unmarked trails that are easy to follow with a couple light class 2 scrambles as well. Star Gap Arch and Double Arch are hiker favorites while Arch of Triumph is small, but playful. And sunset at The Observatory? Fantastic!
Summer at Moonshiner’s Arch (Whitley County)
There are two Moonshiner’s Arches in Kentucky - this one in Whitley County and the other in Menifee County. Both are short hikes, large arches, and have chimneys in each, but this one is just a little prettier;-) Anytime you’re in the Cumberland Falls area, this arch is worth a quick stop just off KY-90.
Auxier Ridge - Double Arch Loop and Spurs
This is among the best loops in Kentucky with visits to Haystack and Courthouse Rock, so many vistas it’ll spoil your eyes, and the always glamorous Double Arch with The Observatory up top. This hike includes a couple unmarked, well-trod spurs to backcountry campsites and other viewpoints on the ridge.
Gray’s Arch and Mid-step Arch Out and Back
Second only to Natural Bridge, Gray’s Arch is the most recognizable arch in Kentucky. It’s also a lot prettier! After a landslide closed the trail in Spring, Forest Service, Red River Gorge Trail Crew, and other volunteers have rebuilt the trail to this magnificent piece of nature that is a must-see in the region.
Sky View Arch
This beautiful arch in Red River Gorge is a nice little hike with some scrambling required. The arch remains in pristine condition without graffiti, smoke stains, campfire remnants, or trash. As a result, GPS data is not provided (see LNT in GPS section), but please read the hiker notes regarding trail use and how to avoid accelerating trail degradation already underway.