Explore the best rated trails in Cumberland, KY, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Guest River Gorge Trail and Pennington Gap Greenway . With more than 15 trails covering 102 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Did the Mendota to Benhams leg today 13 miles Traveled from Natural Tunnel State Park, and the ride over in the country was great all by itself. Beautiful countryside. The shade and scenery running alongside the creek was absolutely amazing! The signs were informative along the way and those stone benches!! Now that’s a lasting legacy! This route had us going uphill slightly to Benham’s and the ride down was just a coast! Loved it…..I put it up there with the Creeper trail for beauty. You can see all the work that’s been put into it along the way with the erosion controls and borders. Well done VA!
Dropped in at Gibson station and tried to ride towards Cumberland gap. It was a no go very quickly because the trail is no longer maintained by the national park.........Budget cuts! We were riding on overgrown grasses/weeds which is no fun at all! Turned around and rode towards Wilderness Road State Park. Lovely ride in the shade with just a few spots that were wet from the heavy rains from the last few days. August 14 was hot and humid with some mosquitoes along the trail! Did a few loops in Wilderness Rd., State Park where they were having some actual reenactments back in the fort! All in all lovely country views. The buffalo were in the corner right next to the trail...sat at the picnic table and watched them chew! There was a new calf! eat all get
Trail was worth the drive. Asphalt paved path with a gentle grade and nice stop in David for a lunch break. Saw several deer and other critters along the trail.
I live in Kentucky and was excited to try this trail. I’ve ridden 33,000 miles on 278 trails and I can easily say I’ll never go back I had two large Dobermans chase me, nipping at my heels and jumping up on to my legs. They caused me to lose my balance and crash on my ebike. I wound up needing two shoulder replacements. I’ll never go back
The Mendota Trail is a lovely extension of Rails-to-Trails! The original track route was built to haul coal. Today this trail provides scenic views from 17 trestles in 12.5 miles! The swinging bridge is my favorite part, but there is a parallel path that goes over a solid trestle for those who want something solid under their feet. My brother (a retired physician), bought several properties to secure the right-of-way for the trail. When some sections were contested, he stuck with it.
I started in Mendota based on other’s recommendations. It was a gorgeous scenic ride thru the forest along the river and 18 bridge crossings. Highly recommend this trail!
Per mile this is the most beautiful trail we have ever been on, and we have been on quite a few. The scenery is just gorgeous. You will want to go slow and watch the overhead cliffs on one side and listen to the rushing river on the other. Going slow is fine because the surface is not that great. You will be on the brakes on the way down and in low gear on the way back. Go in the early spring so you can see all the scenery and the river is rushing.
My wife and I just completed this trail out and back. Based on recommendations, we started in Mendota and worked our way to Bristol. I’m glad we took the advice. Coming back from Bristol was a breeze as the trail was mostly downhill. The trail was well maintained with only a short section near Bristol being slightly rough because of the larger gravel that was used. Other than that, our bikes with gravel tires handled the trail well. This is one of the best trails we’ve ridden. We highly recommend it!
Just finished doing the trail from Mendota to Bristol and back. 25 miles. This is DEFINITELY the direction to take if doing a round trip ride. First 9+ miles from Mendota end are steady up hill. It’s a grunt! Once up to the top though it’s a fun coating ride to Bristol. This way on return it’s only 3 miles uphill and then 9.5 down mostly. Would’ve been much tougher starting in Bristol. Trail is a shaded mix of gravel, dirt, grass and even pavement. It’s all fine but not all a glassy paved ride. Excellent trail!!!
A few soft sandy spots where the trail has had fresh crushed gravel brought in, but a nice easy ride. 2 first time riders, 2 mediocre riders, 2 kid trailers. Visitor center is very nice
We’ve ridden many rail trails across the country and this one is really great. All paved, mostly flat with some gentle grades. Dogs that some reviews mention are all in fenced kennels, none loose on the trail. We stopped at Griffith Farms for soda and some great farm treats - really fun. Mix of woods, creeks, bridges, family farms, lots of wildlife.
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