Hike Beneath A Hidden Rock Bridge At This Popular Kentucky State Park
By Sarah McCosham|Published November 02, 2022
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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 home to some of the most fascinating geological formations in the country, from our epic, mammoth-sized caverns to our sweeping, grandiose gorges. The Bluegrass also boasts some of the most spectacular natural arches and rock bridges in the country, each offering a unique and equally wondrous experience. While some, like Natural Bridge State Resort Park’s titular bridge, are well-known, there are many, many more rock formations in Kentucky worthy of your attention. Today’s adventure brings us to Pine Mountain State Resort Park in Pineville, Kentucky, where a hidden rock bridge awaits along the Laurel Cove Trail.
Pine Mountain State Resort Park is truly one of the most beautiful state parks in the Bluegrass. Kentucky's first state park, Pine Mountain stretches 1,159 acres across mountainous Bell County.
The hiking at this Kentucky State Park is phenomenal, traversing through the lush forests and massive rock formations for which the Bluegrass is well known.
The park is most known for Chained Rock, a startling rock formation that looks positively mythic in its grandeur. The mile-long Chained Rock Trail provides near-perfect panoramas this peak.
But Chained Rock isn't the only commanding rock formation in the park... not even close! To discover more marvelous monoliths, simply lace up your shoes and head to the Laurel Cove Trail.
Traversing lush forests filled with flora, fauna, *and* formations, the Laurel Cove Trail offers an immersive experience in the wilds of South-Central Kentucky.
Be sure to keep a solid footing as you meander this trail, which, while less than three miles long, has an elevation gain of 990 feet and is considered a moderately challenging route. The rock staircases sure are fun, though!
This is one of three documented sandstone arches at Pine Mountain, and easily our favorite. The way the light dapples and dances through the surrounding forest gives Powderhorn Arch an almost golden aura!
Once you've discovered this hidden rock bridge, you can continue on all the way up to Chained Rock. While this requires some extra mileage, you'll be so inspired by the natural beauty of this park, you be happy to keep walking!
Have you hiked the Laurel Cove Trail at Pine Mountain State Resort Park before? Did you know about this hidden rock bridge in Kentucky? What a wonderful day hike in the Bluegrass State!
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