Find the top rated hiking trails in Kentucky, whether you're looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hiking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Rode from Hagerhill to Tip Top Tunnel. The tunnel is closed but did get to go through a shorter tunnel at about the midway point. Trail is asphalt all the way. Several trailheads and rest areas along the way. Rode it in Late October…colors were gorgeous!! All in all a great ride.
2.5-mile paved hike/bike trail has been established on the former right-of-way from downtown Cadi, KY. A great place to spend a couple of hours hiking or for a quick bike trip down a 110-year-old rail corridor. Part of the trail was closed near the park as 10/27/24.
Husband and I are new EBike riders. We haven’t ridden bikes in 30+ years. We loved this trail. We try to be respectful when approaching other bikers and runners. We parked at Coldstream and rode north to horse park. Rode into the campground and stopped for ice cream in camp store. I have read comments about road noise from I-75, but honestly the trail and scenery are still beautiful. We rode about 15 miles after meandering a bit off trail at Horse park. We rode on Saturday and there were a lot of people on the path but everyone shared i
My son and I hiked the trail for one of his Scout merit badges. A well maintained trail. Most cyclists were courteous about saying “passing on left”. There is water and picnic tables and restrooms at mile marker 5.6. There are also port-a-pots in a few other areas along the way. Our route took us from the Horse Park to the end of the trail and back. We did take a couple of the shorter trails off the main trail. Overall a great experience.
Mostly flat and partly shady. Concrete. One long bridge with steep grade at each end. Phases 1 and 2 complete. Lots of benches, security cameras/emergency alerts.
We had rode the trail from the River Park Marina to Swanee . The trail was in need of some repairs but the views of the river and downtown was very appealing. However, after the McAlpine lock and dam, the trail became questionable. We encountered numerous camps, piles of trash, motor bikes / ATVs on the trail and very questionable surroundings, we turned around. I would suggest on to avoid this path pf the trail close to Swanee park
I have a different perspective than most trail users. I am paralyzed from the waist down. My "daily driver" is a manual wheelchair. However, I also have a handcycle: basically a three-wheel bicycle that I pedal with my hands. The rear two wheels are just along for the ride. The front wheel does all of the steering, braking, and propelling. As my weight is all on the back wheels, it spins out on too steep of a hill. There is one hill on the west end of this trail (right next to Parrish Avenue) that I had to ride down the street to bypass. There's another hill about 1/4 mile from this one that I could just BARELY handle. Otherwise, this trail is fairly flat with a few small hills. A completely flat trail is kind of boring, but I just can't do a really steep one. The Greenbelt is, for me, the perfect blend of flat and steep.
Handcycle considerations aside, Owensboro has done a commendable job with this trail. It is very nicely constructed and maintained. There are several good places to park, with ample parking spaces. I have ridden it several times now. I suggest doing what I did - try parking at different lots and seeing which one you like best. My personal favorite is the one off of Higdon Road. It is somewhere in the middle of the trail and lets you go either direction. A 15 mile trail (so 30 miles if you do both directions) gives you a lot of options, especially if you're looking for a 5 or 10 mile ride.
As other reviewers have noted, they could have done a better job with signs. In town sections of the trail, it's sometimes a bit difficult to know if you're still on the trail. I'm from here, so I have been watching the trail being constructed for years, so it makes sense to me. If you're new to it, download and study a map of it and you should be good. A map will also show you the numerous parking lots.
There are a large number of road intersections. Owensboro drivers aren't known for paying attention, so be careful! There are good markings and flashing lights at all the intersections. Plus, it's fun to take little side quests down many of these roads that are wide enough for cars plus a wheelchair-width handcycle.
The trail provides a good mix of city streets, farm fields, and woods. There are a lot of spots without shade, so bring some sunscreen if the sun bothers you. The parks departments do a great job maintaining the trail, but there are quite a few tree root bumps in some of the sections. Watch your front wheel, slow down a bit, and you'll be fine. There are about half a dozen portable toilets along the trail, and tons of benches for a rest stop.
Like I said, I live within easy driving distance of the Greenbelt. The only thing more handy for me is to just leave my driveway and hit my local roads on my handcycle, which I do often. However, when I don't want to fight cars or when I have my daughter on her bike with me, the Greenbelt is my first choice. It is an asset to our community. Come check it out. I hope to see you out there!
I have a different perspective than most trail users. I am paralyzed from the waist down. My "daily driver" is a manual wheelchair. However, I also have a handcycle: basically a three-wheel bicycle that I pedal with my hands. The rear two wheels are just along for the ride. The front wheel does all of the steering, braking, and propelling. As my weight is all on the back wheels, it spins out on too steep of a hill. This trail, being built on an old railroad bed, is fairly flat, which makes sense considering that trains can only handle a very gradual grade. There are definitely very long, gentle uphills (and obviously downhills in the other direction) that provide a good challenge if you hit them fast enough. The only part I couldn't do was on the very end of the trail (the Central City end). There is a steep hill connecting the trail to the parking area. Thankfully, I parked at the Greenville end, where there is ample parking and a flat transition to the trail.
Handcycle considerations aside, Muhlenberg County has knocked it out of the park with this trail. It is very nicely constructed and maintained. As a railfan, I enjoyed seeing the old railroad structures and the P&L caboose that are beside the trail. It has a minimal number of road intersections, with only one of them a high-speed road requiring lots of rider attention. All of them are marked. There are plenty of benches for a rest. The first 1.5 miles or so of the Greenville end are through town. The rest of it is in a very natural setting with ample shade. I liked seeing the huge, old slough; the areas where the railroad had blasted through hills to make the railbed flat; and the numerous little creeks that run beside and under the trail. I live about an hour away, but I'll happily make that drive and hit this trail again.
I live about 30 minutes away from the trail and just discovered this fantastic opportunity. I rode the east side portion that goes from HWY 60 at the community garden trail head and goes south to end at Bardstown road hwy 150. It’s about 18 miles one way. The mile markers on the route must be part of the proposed final solution as they start at something like 74 and when you reach the end is around 56, at Bardstown road area. Best trail I have encountered so far. Much shade to enjoy but also open areas with scenic views. Super nice bridges to cross as you ride along the water. Rolling terrain, so yes there are moderate hills for the novice rider. Concrete or blacktop all the way. Very clean and well maintained. It certainly gets a 5 star rating in my view.
We rode almost 18 miles out-and-back -- starting at Archer Park, down to David, back up to Hawkins Ave, then returned to Archer. (The trail connector access at Archer Park is behind the veteran memorial with all the flags and adjacent to the dog park.) Trail was in excellent shape, extremely well-built and well-drained, with lots of shade. Be sure to stop at EKY Fair Bar just before David and get a cold drink or ice cream. The trail is very community-oriented, which we also appreciated. Dinner at Lizzie B's afterwards hit on all cylinders!
We rode 45 miles, out-and-back from Jenny's Creek TH to Tip Top Tunnel. Loved the newly-paved surface. Dogs were well-behaved, scenery gorgeous, and Gun Creek Tunnel always a treat. Only wish that Griffith Family Farm was open on Sundays (but we get that!). Did stop at the old general store in Royalton for cold drinks and ice cream. Hope they open Tip Top or do a re-route one day and pave the rest of the trail.
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