The Red River Gorge Road Trip Every Kentuckian Should Take
By Andrea Limke|Published May 14, 2018
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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.
Red River Gorge is a popular destination in Kentucky that may seem intimidating to some. True, it is filled with rocky gorges, cliffside views, and thick forests, but it is definitely an area every Kentuckian can enjoy. Now, it should be respected as the outdoor playground that it is, but there is so much in this adventurous part of Kentucky that everyone should experience a Red River Gorge road trip at least once. If you’ve always wanted to visit this area but were hesitant or intimidated, check out our plan for a weekend away that will satisfy your adventurous spirit while showing you the best of Kentucky’s Red River Gorge.
Your Red River Gorge adventure begins on Route 77, which, depending on where you're coming from, can likely be reached from the Bert T Combs Mountain Parkway.
A drive through this one-of-a-kind tunnel is just the beginning of the adventures you'll experience on the trip. You can learn more about the drive along Route 77 in our previous article here.
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Once you've checked out Nada Tunnel, you'll want to hit up a hiking trail, and first up is the Gray's Arch Trail Loop.
You can reach this trail by Tunnel Ridge Road. Once you reach the trailhead, you can park and prepare to get a taste of what the Gorge has to offer. Keep in mind, there are toilets available at the start, but you'll want to come prepared with proper shoes, clothing, water, and snacks.
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Gray's Arch Loop Trail is great for everyone because it is a fairly easy hike, which makes it quite popular.
If you don't like the seclusion of a remote trail, but still want to experience the uniqueness of this area, then Gray's Arch is perfect. Along this 3.4-mile loop, you'll get to see beautiful forests, stunning views, creeks, a variety of plant life, and, of course, the towering arch. There are many natural arches within Red River Gorge, and as one of the most accessible, Gray's Arch is ideal for everyone.
After a few hours of hiking, you'll definitely work up an appetite, and a trip to Red River Gorge isn't complete without a stop at Miguel's Pizza.
Enjoy it with a cold drink on a picnic table outside while still basking in your hiking adventure. You can read more about Miguel's Pizza in our previous article here.
Now that you've hiked in the Gorge and have a belly full of pizza, you'll need a place to spend the night. If you're going to visit Red River Gorge, you might as well stay in a one-of-a-kind treehouse!
You can sleep among the trees and have a relaxing place to spend the night while still experiencing the natural beauty of the area. You're sure to wake up refreshed and ready to tackle more hiking the next day.
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When you wake up in the morning, hop in the car, head back through Nada Tunnel and turn onto scenic KY-11, heading south.
The drive to breakfast is beautiful and will leave you eager to get back out there. For more on Red River Rockhouse, check out our previous article here.
For one last adventure within Red River Gorge, take the scenic drive back toward your treehouse and track down the nearby Auxier Ridge Trailhead.
While there are some cliffsides and overlooks that make this moderate hike a little more nerve-racking, the adrenaline rush is so worth it for the stunning views along the trail. It's the perfect way to wrap up your adventure in Red River Gorge and will hopefully leave you anxious to come back and explore even more of this incredible area of Kentucky!
When planning your own Red River Gorge road trip, keep in mind that this specific adventure is best taken on a Saturday and Sunday if you want to take advantage of the restaurants along the way. Of course, you can change it up to meet your needs and timeframe!
Red River Gorge is a natural wonder that Kentucky is so lucky to have. Don’t miss out on a chance to explore this adventurous and beautiful area of our state. Are you a frequent visitor of Red River Gorge? If not, would you be up for this road trip? Let us know in the comments!
Don’t forget to share awesome photos from your journey with us on the Kentucky Nature Lovers Facebook group or tag us on Instagram using #onlyinkentucky for a chance to see them featured!
For another road trip for nature lovers, check out our waterfalls adventure here.
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