If you ever have the occasion to look into the main attractions of Kentucky, besides the obvious bourbon attraction…what you will find is many images of the natural rock bridges, predominantly in the Daniel Boone National Forest. The forest itself is a phenomenal landscape covering 708,000 acres of land.
Having seen some of the pictures, and after a bit of map research…I plotted a route that would let us get in a moderate hike (leg stretching) but also visit a few more places of wonder……. we were not disappointed.
It was another early morning start (1. beat the heat and 2. beat the crowds) and a drive up to Grays Arch trailhead. It promised a 6 km out and back hike with a view.
After a torturous 4 mile drive up a pothole ridden gravel forest trail…the trailhead had nicely shaded parking.
Gray’s Arch Trail
Off we trotted on a mostly downward trail into the valley where the arch was promised.
For how moist and shaded the trail was (and how much fluid was leaking out of our skin) there were surprisingly few mosquitos.
There were a few trees downed on the trail…….
There are some pretty impressive rock formations on the way down….
…some stairs…then the path descends further….then more stairs down…….
Almost at the bottom you are rewarded with a glimpse of the stone bridge…….
..and then down at the bottom the huge rock formations are impressive to say the least.
A short scramble up the other side has you standing under this enormous other worldly stone arch. Just WOW…!!!
Now all you have to do is climb back out of the gulley…..!!!
Princess Arch
The next stop along the loop was Princess Arch..this one was a 15 minute walk in…to an arch that you could walk over the top of then loop around and walk underneath……lending itself very nicely to photo ops.
Right across the parking lot was a bonus trail and lookout point at Chimney Top.
The signage was………interesting….!!!!
The view was spectacular……
Sky Bridge
Sky Bridge is reviewed as one of the most impressive arches.
It’s another one where the trail loops over the top and then back underneath. We set off in opposite directions expecting another photo op….. but …unfortunately there is not a point from the top where you can see the trail underneath and vice versa….
..it was still a pretty impressive stone bridge tho…
Angel Windows
Last but not least, another trail heading down into a valley (15 minute walk) to Angel Windows.
A very pretty little spot with a double arch. The kind of place that would be perfect for a picnic….if it was not quite so busy.
In its defense there were not loads of people there…but a steady stream of visitors coming down the trail, taking their pictures (just like us) and then climbing back out.
All in all a beautiful drive through the forest and some spectacular pieces of natures architecture. All in all a grand day out on a hot day….so of course we had to finish it up at an ice cream store….. 😁🍦
Extra Pix
OsteoPraxis on the road 