Here in Kentucky, we’re blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. We have a variety of picturesque places to go for a pleasant walk or a rigorous hike, depending on your preference. Since not all of us are professional hikers, quite a few of these are perfect for those just looking for a scenic walkabout in the woods. However, those who like a challenge will not be disappointed, as most of these areas offer trails catering to all who enjoy nature’s bounty.
If you love nature, here are 10 of the best scenic hikes in Kentucky.
- Trails of Greenbo Lake
Sahara Stevenson/AllTrails Our list of beautiful places to hike in Kentucky begins at Greenbo Lake. Greenbo Lake is a 225 acre lake with 4 beautiful trails around it offering different perspectives of the surrounding beauty. The Fern Valley Self Guided Interpretive Trail is only 1 mile. Claylick Loop and the Michael Tygart Loop are both 7 miles and the Carpenter’s Run trail is 10 miles. All offer a special type of serenity you won’t soon forget.
- Trails of John James Audubon State Park
Zachjank There are nine different trails in this park at 3100 US Hwy 41 N in Henderson. The combined mileage of them all adds up to 6.5 miles. Each hike offers a special aspect of the area, be it specific flora, wildlife or a trail less traveled. The scenic overlook trail is less than a quarter of a mile long and offers a beautiful view well worth the trip.
- Trails of Green River
Green River Lake State Park/Google Local The Green River Lake State Park has 24 marked trails ranging from 0.5 to 4.5 miles in length. The park is located at in Campbellsville. Beginners might like trails like half-mile trails like Wildcat or Cobee’s. Most the other trails, like Lakeshore and Deer Creek are two miles or less, with the longest being the Marina Main Trail. All have breathtaking views and serene walks in the wilds.
- Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail
Patriot/Kenneth Burlingham/Google Local This is Kentucky’s longest trail, spanning over 260 miles through the beautiful Red River Gorge in Daniel Boone National Forest.
- Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail
Kentucky State Parks This beautiful trail is 120 miles from Breaks Interstate Park to the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. Beginning with the Birch Knob Section at Breaks, then into the Highlands Section, and lastly to the Little Shepherd Trail. It is a breathtaking part of the Great Eastern Trail in Whitesburg, both in its beauty and its challenges.
- Pennyrile Nature Trails
Kentucky State Parks This is a 13.5 mile linear trail that will take hikers along a beautiful trail at Dawson Springs and Tradewater River in the middle of Indian Bluff. The entire walk is scenic, and when it comes to breathtaking overlooks gazing out into the nature, this trail around 20781 Pennyrile Lodge Road offers perfection.
- Lakeside Trails
Kentucky State Parks This short but sweet trail leads up to the Natural Bridge, allowing hikers a view that will simply take your breath away. It is located off 2135 Natural Bridge Road in Slade. Near the end there is a swinging bridge that crosses Red River’s Middle Fork. It is a short part of the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail perfect for beginning hikers.
- Trails of the Jenny Wiley State Park
Kentucky State Parks This historic park is home to the 1150 acre Dewey Lake, along with seven different trails ranging in length from the shortest coming in at less than a mile to the longest, at 18 miles. The other trails are moderately short with the second longest at 4.5 miles long. All offer a serene retreat into Mother Nature.
- Trails of General Butler State Park
Kentucky State Parks There are three trails at the General Butler State Resort Park on 1608 Highway 227 in Carrolton. Fossil Trail is less than five miles long but offers an escape into a green paradise. It is one of our many serene hikes through hard wood forests and rolling fields of grass and wildflowers. The lookout on the trail is the highest point in the entire county, offering a breathtaking view.
- Doe Run Lake Perimeter Trail
Palmer Dahman/Google Local Last but certainly not least, our list of the best scenic hikes in Kentucky concludes with Doe Run Lake Perimeter Trail. This beautifully rugged trail around 1501 Bullock Pen Road in Covington is short compared to some trails, but no less gorgeous. You will walk across Bullock Pen Creek, so make sure and wear shoes safe for a water walk. The north side is a service road you can take back to the lot. The south side of the lake is quite serene.
Each of these scenic trails in Kentucky offers us an escape into nature’s serenity. There is nothing like walking through the woods, around our waterways, or even across our fields, to bring about peace of mind. The stress of everyday life can be a burden at times, but the trails of Kentucky offer sanctuary. Do you agree that these are some of the best scenic hikes in Kentucky? What is your favorite place to hike or walk in our state? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you!
Sahara Stevenson/AllTrails
Our list of beautiful places to hike in Kentucky begins at Greenbo Lake. Greenbo Lake is a 225 acre lake with 4 beautiful trails around it offering different perspectives of the surrounding beauty. The Fern Valley Self Guided Interpretive Trail is only 1 mile. Claylick Loop and the Michael Tygart Loop are both 7 miles and the Carpenter’s Run trail is 10 miles. All offer a special type of serenity you won’t soon forget.
Zachjank
There are nine different trails in this park at 3100 US Hwy 41 N in Henderson. The combined mileage of them all adds up to 6.5 miles. Each hike offers a special aspect of the area, be it specific flora, wildlife or a trail less traveled. The scenic overlook trail is less than a quarter of a mile long and offers a beautiful view well worth the trip.
Green River Lake State Park/Google Local
The Green River Lake State Park has 24 marked trails ranging from 0.5 to 4.5 miles in length. The park is located at in Campbellsville. Beginners might like trails like half-mile trails like Wildcat or Cobee’s. Most the other trails, like Lakeshore and Deer Creek are two miles or less, with the longest being the Marina Main Trail. All have breathtaking views and serene walks in the wilds.
Patriot/Kenneth Burlingham/Google Local
This is Kentucky’s longest trail, spanning over 260 miles through the beautiful Red River Gorge in Daniel Boone National Forest.
Kentucky State Parks
This beautiful trail is 120 miles from Breaks Interstate Park to the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. Beginning with the Birch Knob Section at Breaks, then into the Highlands Section, and lastly to the Little Shepherd Trail. It is a breathtaking part of the Great Eastern Trail in Whitesburg, both in its beauty and its challenges.
This is a 13.5 mile linear trail that will take hikers along a beautiful trail at Dawson Springs and Tradewater River in the middle of Indian Bluff. The entire walk is scenic, and when it comes to breathtaking overlooks gazing out into the nature, this trail around 20781 Pennyrile Lodge Road offers perfection.
This short but sweet trail leads up to the Natural Bridge, allowing hikers a view that will simply take your breath away. It is located off 2135 Natural Bridge Road in Slade. Near the end there is a swinging bridge that crosses Red River’s Middle Fork. It is a short part of the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail perfect for beginning hikers.
This historic park is home to the 1150 acre Dewey Lake, along with seven different trails ranging in length from the shortest coming in at less than a mile to the longest, at 18 miles. The other trails are moderately short with the second longest at 4.5 miles long. All offer a serene retreat into Mother Nature.
There are three trails at the General Butler State Resort Park on 1608 Highway 227 in Carrolton. Fossil Trail is less than five miles long but offers an escape into a green paradise. It is one of our many serene hikes through hard wood forests and rolling fields of grass and wildflowers. The lookout on the trail is the highest point in the entire county, offering a breathtaking view.
Palmer Dahman/Google Local
Last but certainly not least, our list of the best scenic hikes in Kentucky concludes with Doe Run Lake Perimeter Trail. This beautifully rugged trail around 1501 Bullock Pen Road in Covington is short compared to some trails, but no less gorgeous. You will walk across Bullock Pen Creek, so make sure and wear shoes safe for a water walk. The north side is a service road you can take back to the lot. The south side of the lake is quite serene.
For related content, you’ll love learning about these gorgeous Kentucky hikes under 5 miles.
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Address: 965 Lodge Rd, Greenup, KY 41144, USAAddress: John James Audubon State Park, Henderson, KY 42420, USAAddress: Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail, KY-490, East Bernstadt, KY 40729, USAAddress: Slade, KY 40376, USAAddress: Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, 419 Jenny Wiley Dr, Prestonsburg, KY 41653, USAAddress: General Butler State Resort Park, Kentucky 227, Carrollton, KY, USAAddress: Doe Run Lake, 1501 Bullock Pen Rd, Covington, KY 41017, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best scenic hikes in Kentucky March 10, 2021 Beth C. What are some other beautiful places to hike in Kentucky? As you learned from reading the above article, the Bluegrass State is a treasure trove of beautiful hikes. In fact, you could easily devote an entire lifetime to exploring all that Kentucky’s trails have to offer. Some additional beautiful places to hike in Kentucky include Raven’s Run in Lexington, Rock Bridge Arch Trail in Pine Ridge, Towering Sycamore Trail in Shakertown, River Styx Spring Trail at Mammoth Cave National Park, Red River Gorge Courthouse Rock Trail, 3 Bridges Trail in Carter Caves, Hood’s Branch Trail in Slade, Lick Falls Trail, Highland Cemetery Forest Preserve in Fort Mitchell, and Fort Thomas Landmark Tree Trail. Learn more about these beautiful places to hike in Kentucky. What are the best waterfall hikes in Kentucky? Do you love admiring Kentucky’s waterfalls? Well, then, you’re in luck! Here in Kentucky, there are beautiful trails that showcase the most stunning waterfalls in the state. Some of the best waterfall hikes in Kentucky include 76 Falls, Yahoo Falls, Cumberland Falls, Bad Branch Falls, Flat Lick Falls, Anglin Falls, Creation Falls, and Broke Leg Falls. Want to explore each of these stunning waterfalls? Check out our ultimate waterfall road trip in Kentucky. What are the best Kentucky state parks? Kentucky’s state parks offer residents and visitors alike a chance to appreciate the natural splendor of the Bluegrass State. Some of the best state parks in Kentucky include Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Paintsville Lake State Park, Nolin Lake State Park, Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park, Green River Lake State Park, General Burnside State Park, FishTrap Lake State Park, and My Old Kentucky Home State Park. Learn more about these beautiful Kentucky state parks and why you should visit them.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best scenic hikes in Kentucky
March 10, 2021
Beth C.
What are some other beautiful places to hike in Kentucky? As you learned from reading the above article, the Bluegrass State is a treasure trove of beautiful hikes. In fact, you could easily devote an entire lifetime to exploring all that Kentucky’s trails have to offer. Some additional beautiful places to hike in Kentucky include Raven’s Run in Lexington, Rock Bridge Arch Trail in Pine Ridge, Towering Sycamore Trail in Shakertown, River Styx Spring Trail at Mammoth Cave National Park, Red River Gorge Courthouse Rock Trail, 3 Bridges Trail in Carter Caves, Hood’s Branch Trail in Slade, Lick Falls Trail, Highland Cemetery Forest Preserve in Fort Mitchell, and Fort Thomas Landmark Tree Trail. Learn more about these beautiful places to hike in Kentucky. What are the best waterfall hikes in Kentucky? Do you love admiring Kentucky’s waterfalls? Well, then, you’re in luck! Here in Kentucky, there are beautiful trails that showcase the most stunning waterfalls in the state. Some of the best waterfall hikes in Kentucky include 76 Falls, Yahoo Falls, Cumberland Falls, Bad Branch Falls, Flat Lick Falls, Anglin Falls, Creation Falls, and Broke Leg Falls. Want to explore each of these stunning waterfalls? Check out our ultimate waterfall road trip in Kentucky. What are the best Kentucky state parks? Kentucky’s state parks offer residents and visitors alike a chance to appreciate the natural splendor of the Bluegrass State. Some of the best state parks in Kentucky include Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Paintsville Lake State Park, Nolin Lake State Park, Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park, Green River Lake State Park, General Burnside State Park, FishTrap Lake State Park, and My Old Kentucky Home State Park. Learn more about these beautiful Kentucky state parks and why you should visit them.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
As you learned from reading the above article, the Bluegrass State is a treasure trove of beautiful hikes. In fact, you could easily devote an entire lifetime to exploring all that Kentucky’s trails have to offer. Some additional beautiful places to hike in Kentucky include Raven’s Run in Lexington, Rock Bridge Arch Trail in Pine Ridge, Towering Sycamore Trail in Shakertown, River Styx Spring Trail at Mammoth Cave National Park, Red River Gorge Courthouse Rock Trail, 3 Bridges Trail in Carter Caves, Hood’s Branch Trail in Slade, Lick Falls Trail, Highland Cemetery Forest Preserve in Fort Mitchell, and Fort Thomas Landmark Tree Trail. Learn more about these beautiful places to hike in Kentucky.
What are the best waterfall hikes in Kentucky?
Do you love admiring Kentucky’s waterfalls? Well, then, you’re in luck! Here in Kentucky, there are beautiful trails that showcase the most stunning waterfalls in the state. Some of the best waterfall hikes in Kentucky include 76 Falls, Yahoo Falls, Cumberland Falls, Bad Branch Falls, Flat Lick Falls, Anglin Falls, Creation Falls, and Broke Leg Falls. Want to explore each of these stunning waterfalls? Check out our ultimate waterfall road trip in Kentucky.
What are the best Kentucky state parks?
Kentucky’s state parks offer residents and visitors alike a chance to appreciate the natural splendor of the Bluegrass State. Some of the best state parks in Kentucky include Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Paintsville Lake State Park, Nolin Lake State Park, Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park, Green River Lake State Park, General Burnside State Park, FishTrap Lake State Park, and My Old Kentucky Home State Park. Learn more about these beautiful Kentucky state parks and why you should visit them.
