Moderate
Kentucky · United States
- Distance
- 4.2 km / 2.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 176 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 9 min
- River
- Coastal
Loop Trails in Kentucky
The directory currently contains 28 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Kentucky. Their average mapped distance is 2.5 km and average recorded ascent is 73 m (240 ft); the longest route in the set is 9.1 km.
This subset represents 24% of the 119 quality-checked routes in Kentucky. Its average distance is 2.5 km, compared with 12.4 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 73 m (240 ft), versus 233 m (764 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.
Every route in this set is classified as a loop and returns to its starting area. A loop can still reuse part of the same path. Within this set, 11 routes (39%) are rated easy, 0 (0%) are rated hard or expert, and 28 (100%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.
Data refreshed September 2026
Choose by the details
How do these routes differ?
A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.
Shortest mapped distance in this sample
0.5 km
Palisades LoopCompare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.
Lowest recorded ascent in this sample
31 m
Palisades Loop6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.
Return logistics
6 recorded loops
Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.
Plan the return journey →Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.
Trails
Easy
Kentucky · United States
- Distance
- 3.7 km / 2.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 85 m
- Typical duration
- 54 min
- Lake
- Alpine meadow
Moderate
Kentucky · United States
- Distance
- 0.5 km / 0.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 31 m
- Typical duration
- 8 min
- Waterfall
- Long-distance path
Moderate
Kentucky · United States
- Distance
- 8.8 km / 5.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 123 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 1 min
- River
Moderate
Kentucky · United States
- Distance
- 0.5 km / 0.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 52 m
- Typical duration
- 11 min
Easy
Moderate
Easy
Kentucky · United States
- Distance
- 1.9 km / 1.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 29 m
- Typical duration
- 27 min
Easy
Moderate
Moderate
Easy
Moderate
Moderate
Easy
Kentucky · United States
- Distance
- 4.2 km / 2.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 61 m
- Typical duration
- 58 min
- Panoramic viewpoint
Moderate
Kentucky · United States
- Distance
- 2.1 km / 1.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 106 m
- Typical duration
- 36 min
Moderate
Kentucky · United States
- Distance
- 1.4 km / 0.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 49 m
- Typical duration
- 21 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Kentucky · United States
- Distance
- 1.0 km / 0.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 27 m
- Typical duration
- 15 min
- Waymarked route
Easy
Easy
Moderate
Moderate
Kentucky · United States
- Distance
- 3.0 km / 1.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 143 m
- Typical duration
- 50 min
Moderate
Kentucky · United States
- Distance
- 9.1 km / 5.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 350 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 25 min
Moderate
Kentucky · United States
- Distance
- 8.4 km / 5.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 269 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 9 min
Moderate
Easy
Moderate
Easy
The shortlist, side by side
The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time | Difficulty | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River RoadKentucky | 4.2 km | 176 m | 1 hr 9 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Meadow ViewKentucky | 3.7 km | 85 m | 54 min | Easy | April to October |
| Palisades LoopKentucky | 0.5 km | 31 m | 8 min | Moderate | April to October |
| PellyKentucky | 8.8 km | 123 m | 2 hr 1 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Sunset Point TrailKentucky | 0.5 km | 52 m | 11 min | Moderate | April to October |
| LamptonKentucky | 2.9 km | 72 m | 43 min | Easy | April to October |
| HeritageKentucky | 1.9 km | 18 m | 25 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Towering SycamoresKentucky | 1.9 km | 29 m | 27 min | Easy | April to October |
| Village LoopKentucky | 2.4 km | 10 m | 31 min | Easy | April to October |
| Blue TrailKentucky | 1.2 km | 84 m | 23 min | Moderate | April to October |
River Road, Meadow View, Palisades Loop currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
Plan with more confidence
All planning articles →Choosing a route
How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label
Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.
Read article →Understanding the map
Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb
Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.
Read article →Planning your day
Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace
Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.
Read article →Related guides
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