Red Byrd Arch Is A Beautiful - And Overlooked - Trail In Kentucky's Red River Gorge
By Andrea Limke|Published August 07, 2021
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Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
The most popular activity in Red River Gorge is hiking and thankfully there are several trails of all levels to explore. Avid hikers, climbers, and campers love the Gorge for its remote and rustic nature while those who just love the outdoors can also find a comfortable place to enjoy an adventure. Red Byrd Arch definitely sits on the remote side of the fence, so to speak, and it may not be the best choice for beginning hikers. But if you have experience with rugged trails and navigation, then give this overlooked trail in Red River Gorge a try and you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful and unique natural arch.
The hike to Red Byrd Arch in Red River Gorge is underrated and lesser known, but also not necessarily maintained. But if you're up for an adventure, you can park at the end of the gravel road before the trail head, walk toward this gate and venture into the woods.
The trail is a total of about 4 miles, out and back. The scenery is what you'd expect from Red River Gorge, but the trail is rough in spots. Expect to scramble over fallen trees and brush away overgrown bushes.
You'll definitely want to have a downloaded map on your phone and a compass for this adventure. But once you reach the arch, you'll see why people put up with this challenging trail.
Red Byrd Arch is one of the most uniquely formed destinations in the area. You can tell its size from the scale of the person standing on the rock near the falling water.
There is an arch and also a large hole that has a seasonal waterfall, depending on recent weather patterns. You'll want to explore around here, but make sure to take everything with you that you brought in and leave this place as wonderfully natural as you found it.
Especially in the height of summer, expect lots of overgrowth and even ticks. Come prepared with the right clothing and spray, and always check yourself after the hike. All of this aside, if an underrated hike in Red River Gorge is your goal, Red Byrd Arch may be the perfect spot for you.
If you’re up for a challenge and want to try an overlooked trail in Red River Gorge, then head to Alltrails for a map and be sure to download it to your phone before heading out. And if you’d like to visit another arch in the Gorge that’s easier to reach, check out this favorite hike that has just as much beautiful scenery.
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