The Raven Run Red Trail In Kentucky Takes You From A Forest Sanctuary To A Scenic Overlook And Back
By Sarah McCosham|Published September 17, 2021
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Kentucky is one big playground for outdoor enthusiasts, offering some of the most scenic backdrops for adventures of all varieties. For hikers, there is a near-endless array of accessible trails that allow for an immersive experience of the Bluegrass State. The Raven Run Red Trail in Kentucky is one such trek. This 5.4-mile loop trail is breathtakingly beautiful, and takes explorers from a forest sanctuary to a scenic overlook — and back.
This is an iconic Bluegrass State view: the resplendent Kentucky River rushing through the eponymous, cavernous palisades region. Luckily for Kentucky hikers, accessing this perfect panorama is easily within reach.
This sanctuary is a tranquil little paradise located just outside one of Kentucky's largest cities -- but it feels an entire world away. Wildlife, verdant foliage, and natural wonders abound in Raven Run, which was created in order to preserve this wondrous region.
Raven Run Nature Sanctuary's trails are distinguished by color, and are well-marked and interconnected -- so you can really choose your own hiking adventure. But if we had to recommend just one trail, it would be the Raven Run Red Trail, a picture-perfect loop that's just over five miles long.
This trail begins just before the Nature Center, and traverses around the sanctuary; it winds through a rocky creek bed, up various forest steps, and along rugged terrain.
Your efforts will be rewarded all throughout the hike, however, with lush forest scenery and even a waterfall or two (especially after a healthy rain!).
This is the view you've been waiting for. The Kentucky River winds through the rolling Bluegrass hills, and it's a scene that will take your breath away.
