Adventure with a Side of Thrill - There's a Terrifying Trail in KY's Red River Gorge

If you love hiking with a side of thrill, this trail in Kentucky might be the adventure you have been looking for.

What is There to Do in Red River Gorge?

Nestled in Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, the Red River Gorge is home to rugged rock formations, rich wildlife, and untouched natural beauty. People from all over the world come to hike, rock climb, zip line, and even kayak through the gorge and in an abandoned limestone quarry.

Sky Bridge Trail - for Thrill Seekers Only

Hiking natural rock formations can be challenging but also fun. I have hiked trails that take you to a summit where you can look down on the world. My daughter loves taking chances and will get as close to the edge as she can. I am more cautious and stay far away from the edge.

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If you are like my daughter and on the hunt for a thrill, check out the Sky Bridge Trail in the Red River Gorge. According to kentuckytourism.com:

The trail consists of a high and narrow pathway along the ridge, finally culminating at Sky Bridge where it looks out onto stellar views. The trail then moves past the bridge along a cliff shelf before winding its way up a flight of stairs (75 steps to be exact) that lead back to the parking area.

Photo by Michaela Challies on Unsplash
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What to Expect at Sky Bridge

For those who are used to more strenuous hikes, Sky Bridge is a walk in the park that delivers some of the most spectacular views you will ever see. Since tourists often flock to Natural Bridge, heading over to Sky Bridge spares you some of the crowd congestion. Even kids will enjoy this one and it is short enough to take them along. Just be aware of the section without a guardrail.

Here are a couple of quick videos to give you a better idea of the trail.

 

Yikes! That looks terrifying! It's actually not so bad when you look at it from this angle.

Other Red River Gorge Trails to Explore

Since Sky Bridge is fairly short, you can check out other trails while you are there. According to redrivergorge.com, the top 10 hiking trails in the area are:

  • Indian Staircase & Indian Arch – 3.5 miles · Difficult · Unmarked
  • Whittleton Arch – 2.5 miles · Easy
  • Double Arch, Star Gap Arch, Arch of Triumph – 5.6 miles · Moderate · Unmarked
  • Gray’s Arch – 4.0 miles · Easy
  • Auxier Ridge & Courthouse Rock – 5.0 miles · Moderate
  • Natural Bridge & Laurel Ridge Trail – 3.0 miles · Easy
  • Silvermine Arch & Hidden Arch – 5.1 miles · Moderate
  • Turtle Back Arch & Rock Bridge – 4.0 miles · Moderate · Unmarked
  • Chimney Top Rock, Princess Arch, & Half Moon Arch – 1.5 miles · Easy · Unmarked

15 Interesting Facts About Kentucky You May Not Know

I can't thank the University of Louisville's library enough for this fun collection of facts about the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Enjoy!

Gallery Credit: Dave Spencer

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