Thirsty for a hiking adventure? KY creeks, overlooks and waterfalls are waiting for you
READ MORE
Summer fun in Kentucky
Use our recreation guide to plan your Kentucky summer of hiking, biking, swimming and more.
Expand All
Whether you’re a beginner hiker or an experienced adventurer ready to trod offbeat paths, we’ve got you covered with these top hiking trails — all within day-tripping distance of Lexington.
Between state parks and nature preserves, amenities within the National Park Service and privately owned offerings, there are hundreds of miles of trails in Kentucky waiting.
If we’ve missed any you’d like us to add, be sure to fill out our Know Your Kentucky Form at the end of this guide.
We’ve grouped suggestions by difficulty level, but please take into consideration your personal mobility and other factors, like the weather.
Easy strolls and trail offerings near Lexington
The Pinnacles in Berea
Though there are tougher hikes here, most of the trails are rated as beginner friendly, according to trail descriptions by Berea College’s Forestry Outreach Center.
Don’t miss the incredible overlooks at West Pinnacle, Buzzard’s Roost, East Pinnacle and Eagle’s Nest. East Pinnacle is recommended for beginners.
Jessamine Creek Gorge Preserve
This trail offers the best views when the leaves aren’t out, but still offers good wildflower spotting spring through fall. Don’t miss its views of the Kentucky River Palisades in the winter. Overstreet Creek also makes for a beautiful sight.
If you’ve ever closed your eyes to picture a babbling brooks with gentle waterfalls and tranquil forest pools, this is pretty close.
Trail length: 2.1 miles
Cove Spring Park, Frankfort
Part park, part nature preserve, Cove Spring is ideal for beginners looking to dip their toe into hiking and still experience some dramatic, natural vistas.
Many of the trails are paved, low in elevation and are on the shorter side, but still pack in plenty of sights. There are roughly 240 acres of wetlands, streams, springs, waterfalls, forested ravines and other natural and historic features here.
Total length of trails: 3 miles
Moderate hikes near Lexington, KY
Kentucky River Overlook Loop, Raven Run
Views of the Kentucky River Palisades — those striking limestone cliffs and outcroppings that run for about 100 miles — makes the effort worth your while.
Don’t miss Evans Mill. The site of an old grist mill at Raven Run dating to the 1830s was established by Peter Evans. Raven Run Creek was dammed then, and the water powered the mill, which was used by farmers in the area to grind their corn.
Trail length: 2 miles round-trip
John Holder Trail
Considered a moderate hike, this trail in Winchester is named after a the enterprising Kentucky settler who made his home here. Col. John Holder was a defender of Fort Boonesborough, which was besieged in 1778 during the Revolutionary War by the British-allied, Shawnee tribe Chief Blackfish. After the war, Holder established a settlement at the mouth of Lower Howard’s Creek.
“His landing on the Kentucky River became a major departure point of flatboats bound for New Orleans with Kentucky produce,” according to the trail’s webpage.
This is the only portion of the Lower Howard’s Creek Nature and Heritage Preserve open to the public. Don’t miss the beer cheese at Hall’s Restaurant, which is right next to the John Holder trailhead at 1225 Athens Boonesboro Road in Winchester.
Trail length: 2.8 miles round-trip
More difficult hikes near Lexington, KY
Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail
For the more experienced hiker undaunted by adventure, we recommend the various branching loops of Sheltowee Trace, which now actually travels about 340 miles into Tennessee.
Old, forgotten homesteads and oil and gas wells offer windows into eastern Kentucky’s past. According to a trail guide from the Forest Service, Sheltowee Trace (pronounced shel-toe-ee) was dedicated in 1979 as part of the Daniel Boone National Forest trail system. Named in honor of Daniel Boone, it’s a nod to moniker the Shawnee tribe Chief Blackfish gave to Boone, meaning “Big Turtle.”
There’s a lot to see on this trail that serves as the backbone of the Daniel Boone National Forest trail system, but don’t miss the wooden suspension bridge crossing the Red River.
Do you have a question about recreation around Lexington for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out the form below or email ask@herald-leader.com.
This story was originally published June 3, 2022 at 6:47 AM with the headline "Thirsty for a hiking adventure? KY creeks, overlooks and waterfalls are waiting for you."
