7 Best Hiking Trails in Louisville, KY from a Local [2024]
Introduction to Louisville Hikes You Will Love in 2024
Did you know that within 60 miles of downtown Louisville hikers have access to over 150 Louisville hikes? As Louisville natives and avid hikers, having such easy access to some of the best trails in Kentucky and Southern Indiana is a blessing.
In this guide, we share the best places for Louisville hikes, which show off the diverse landscapes, bird sanctuaries, and rolling hills of Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
In our view, the range of landscapes within this 60-mile range is second to none! We may be biased because we are Louisville, KY natives.
We have dense forests, stunning waterfalls, magnificent city skyline views, wetlands, rolling hills, a bird sanctuary or two, and short and steep hills (called knobs around this area) in Jefferson Memorial Forest and along the Knobstone Trail.
These hiking trails offer an opportunity to explore nature without traveling far from the city. If you’re visiting, they provide a chance to see the diverse landscapes and topography in and around Louisville.
Guide Overview
We designed this guide to showcase our favorite Louisville hikes. As parents we know often times kids appreciate a short and easy hike, so our guide includes many of our favorite hikes under 5 miles that have features like waterfalls or scenic overlooks! For shorter hikes, we’ll suggest options to extend your exploration.
For each hike, we share the distance, directions, and difficulty rating (easy, medium, hard).
We’ll also provide tips for visiting Louisville, such as the best time to visit, where to see fall foliage, what to wear, and recommended places to stay. Lastly, we share our tips and tricks for staying fit and ready for any hiking adventure.
Pro Tip: We love the AllTrails app. We like the paid version because we can save and download our trail map before heading out.
Top Hikes Near Louisville
Our top hikes near Louisville are the perfect place to enjoy an outdoor adventure without venturing too far from the amenities of the city!
Buttermilk Falls
Directions to Buttermilk Falls
Buttermilk Falls Trail Length – Appx 3 miles
Difficulty – Easy
Buttermilk Falls is located in Brandenburg, Kentucky, about 60 minutes from Louisville. Its dedicated parking lot can get crowded, so parking at Riverfront Park is an alternative.
The first half mile of the trail is paved and mostly uphill. At the half-mile point, a well-marked trail leads to Buttermilk Falls and Emmert Falls. This is an out-and-back trail, meaning you return on the same path.
Waterfall flow varies with rainfall, often drying up in late summer. The trail is family-friendly and allows leashed dogs. An ice cream truck is often available at Riverfront Park, providing a sweet treat after your hike.
Our kids enjoyed climbing on the Osage Trees throughout the forest. The trail is shaded and away from Louisville’s concrete jungle, making it a nice retreat on a warm summer day!
Best Time to Hike Buttermilk & Emmert Falls
Late Spring following the rainy season for the best waterfalls. Fall is great as well to enjoy the beautiful colors of the forest.
Hemlock Cliffs
Hemlock Cliffs Trail Length – Appx 1.2 miles
Difficulty – Moderate
Hemlock Cliffs is a 1.2-mile loop trail with 150 feet of elevation, located near English, Indiana, in the Hoosier National Forest. The trailhead has ample parking.
The trail is moderate to heavily traveled, and you will likely encounter other hikers. Hemlock Cliffs is particularly beautiful in early May when rainfall enhances the waterfall flow and the hemlock plants are vibrant green!
When hiking counterclockwise, you’ll descend steps to slotted canyons surrounded by hemlock plants and an oak forest. As you continue the trail, you will see the waterfall and the giant rock house.
Along the way we enjoyed the extra adventure of walking across a fallen tree!
Pro Tip: Hoosier National Forest has over 250 miles of trails which are great hiking trails as well as great places to ride horses and mountain bikes!
Tioga Falls Trail
Tioga Falls Trail Length – Appx 2.1 miles
Difficulty – Moderate
Tioga Falls is a 2-mile out-and-back trail with 350 feet of elevation gain, rated as moderate. The trail begins at a paved parking lot, which gets very crowded on weekends. The first third of a mile is paved, then the trail transitions to dirt and ascends uphill until you reach the railroad tracks.
Crossing the railroad tracks requires caution as they are active, with live trains passing frequently. This hike is on Army property, so it’s essential to observe posted rules and regulations to avoid any issues.
The trail can get busy on weekends, with people often swimming in the shallow water and some attempting to climb the cascading falls. Climbing is not recommended due to slippery conditions. The waterfall flow varies with recent rainfall; spring typically sees more water, while late summer and fall have less. However, hiking in the fall offers the added beauty of vibrant foliage.
Charlestown State Park Trail #7 (Rose Island Loop Trail)
Directions to Rose Island Trail Head
Rose Island Trail Length – Appx 2.1 miles
Difficulty – Easy (with a large paved hill)
The Rose Island Loop Trail offers a nostalgic step back to the 1920s when people escaped the heat of Louisville by traveling 14 miles down the river to this retreat. Although called an island, it’s actually a peninsula.
In the 1920s Rose Island was an amusement park featuring various activities, from dancing and dining to renting cottages and in ground swimming pool which must have been rare in the 1920s! One of its more obscure attractions was a bear kept in a cage, reflecting the different sensibilities of the time.
Despite falling into disrepair over the years, the Rose Island is now maintained by Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources. On our first visit, we joined a guided hike led by a park ranger, who shared the rich history of Rose Island. Unlike modern amusement parks, it offered a serene getaway for visitors to relax and enjoy leisure time. With my motion sickness, this sounds like my kind of park!
The hike is an easy loop, starting with a descent down a steep paved hill. The trail leads to 14 Mile Creek, where you can often spot kayakers and fishermen.
For a more scenic route back to the parking area, we like to connect this trail with Charlestown State Park Trail #3. This trail goes through the woods and provides beautiful vantage points of 14 Mile Creek. It’s less crowded and more scenic than taking the paved path back to the parking lot.
Pro Tip: Charlestown State Park has excellent hiking trails that showcase this beautiful park. Plan a quick day trip from Louisville to spend an entire day exploring these great trails or a weekend getaway at campground!
Anchorage Trail
Directions to Anchorage Trail Head
Anchorage Trail Length – Appx 2.1 miles
Difficulty – Easy
The Anchorage Trail is a fully accessible pave path. This paved trail is 2.1-mile in the heart of Anchorage, Kentucky, a small city in eastern Jefferson County. This popular trail is perfect for relaxing after a day at the office or before grabbing a meal at The Village Anchor. On Saturday mornings, it’s a great place for a leisurely walk or hike before enjoying a cup of coffee in the center of Anchorage.
The trail forms a scenic loop, winding through wooded areas and open spaces. There is ample parking at the trailhead, with several designated lots. You’ll encounter walkers, joggers, and children on bikes. Dogs are permitted, but be cautious, especially during deer mating season, as wildlife is common. For instance, Sara once encountered a deer that was not pleased with her and Finn’s presence on the trail.
Overall, the Anchorage Trail offers a serene and accessible outdoor experience for all ages.
Coppiced Woods Trail
Coppiced Woods Trail Length – Appx 2.0 miles
Difficulty – Moderate
The Coppiced Woods Trail is one of my go-to trails, located in the eastern part of Louisville. This 2-mile loop includes about 250 feet of elevation gain and showcases the rolling hills of Kentucky. The trail also runs alongside a couple of lakes within the Parklands of Floyds Fork, one of the largest private parks in the country.
Fun Fact: The Parklands was designed with a nod to the great park designs created by Frederick Law Olmstead (who also designed much of Acadia National Park).
One of my favorite parts of this trail is running up or alongside a dry creek bed. This section is more technical, with numerous rocks, before the trail makes a switchback to go uphill. At the top of the hill, there’s an overlook that offers a beautiful view of the rolling hills and a well-manicured golf course in one of the valleys.
This trail is an excellent way to get a few miles of hiking on a weekday evening or weekend morning when you have limited time. It’s perfect for families, and dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash.
Siltstone & Purple Heart Trail
Directions to Jefferson Memorial Forest
Siltstone to Purple Heart Trail Length – Appx 4.0+ miles
Difficulty – Moderate to Difficult
Fun Fact: Jefferson Memorial Forest is the largest municipal urban forest in the United States.
Siltstone and Purple Heart trails are among my favorite trails, offering both technical and physical challenges. These well-maintained trails feature a mix of rock, packed dirt, and exposed roots, so watch your step. I usually start at the Wallace Welcome Center in Jefferson Memorial Forest and carefully cross Mitchell Hill Road.
Begin your hike on the Siltstone Trail, heading out for about 1.5 miles. This section involves some climbing, with the first 0.6 miles gaining nearly 170 feet of elevation. You’ll descend back to the forest floor, cross a small stream, and climb up another top of a knob where you may even catch a glimpse of the sunrise. At the top, Siltstone intersects with the Purple Heart Trail spur.
You can either continue on Siltstone for another 5.5 miles to Scott’s Gap Trail, where you can decide whether to take the 3-mile loop or return on the same trail.
Purple Heart Trail
If you choose the Purple Heart Trail spur, it’s a short hike to the Purple Heart Loop Trail, which is about a 16th of a mile from the start of the loop. The trail is well-marked, with options to shorten the hike or detour to the lake. These turnoffs are well-marked!
The Purple Heart Trail is a natural-surface hike (e.g., rocky ground and packed dirt). It’s less traveled, so you might encounter spiderwebs. Bring bug spray to avoid spider bites.
Purple Heart Trail goes into a valley with wetlands. We’ve had a wet summer, so I was grateful for my Willow Ace llama wool socks!
After looping back to Siltstone, you’ll return to the visitor center, completing a 4-5 mile hike.
Pro Tip: If you want a longer excursion, when you reach the Siltstone Trail, take a right turn and continue along the Siltstone Trail. Siltstone is a 7 mile out and back trail so you won’t get lost and can create your own adventure.
While Siltstone doesn’t offer many scenic views, you might get lucky and see some wildlife or unique natural features.
Pro Tip: Carry water and hydration. Water is not available at the trailhead!
Other Fun and Easy Louisville Hikes
Goose Creek Nature Trail
Located at Tom Sawyer State Park in eastern Louisville, the Goose Creek Trail is a 1.7-mile scenic loop trail that takes hikers throughout this beautiful green space. This trail is perfect when you need a quick walk in nature. We enjoy hiking this trail in the cooler weather of the fall.
Harrods Creek Trail
The Harrods Creek Trail is tucked into the Hunting Creek Subdivision that borders Jefferson and Oldham counties in eastern Jefferson County. These trails are marked by colors and wind through the forest down to Harrods Creek. It’s not unusual to see kayakers floating by on the creek.
Much of this trail is in the lowlands and is prone to flooding. We recommend hiking during the dryer months of the fall or late summer.
Along the trail you will see some old growth forest, deer, and wild birds.
Lewis and Clark Bridge Trail
This 5-mile out and back trail takes hikers along the eastern edge of the Louisville Loop trail to Utica, Indiana. Hiking across the bridge gives hikers the chance to take in some breathtaking views of the Ohio River and, on a clear day, sneak a glimpse of downtown Louisville.
If you are lucky, you may even see the bald eagles flying. They have a nest high in a tree located east of the bridge on the Kentucky side.
Nine Penny Branch Loop
While enjoying a hike at Charlestown State Park, take a few moments and stop by the nearby Nine Penny Branch Nature Preserve. The Nine Penny Branch Trail is an easy trail covering 2.3 miles that leads hikers through the forest to a creek bed with some cascading waterfalls and looping through the forest.
The flow of the waterfalls depends on the amount of rainfall. So, this trail is not great during the late summer or early fall. We hiked in September and observed a small amount of water flowing.
Nearby State Parks and National Forest
A few of our favorite State Parks include Clifty Falls State Park in Madison, Indiana, Big Bone Lick State Park, and E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park.
For some longer excursions, we recommend checking out Red River Gorge in eastern Kentucky, which has some of the most stunning hikes in the state! The drive to Red River Gorge gives visitors a gorgeous view of the rolling hills of Kentucky.
Things to Know About Hiking in Louisville
As Louisville natives, here are some quick tips and facts for you to enjoy the best hikes in the Louisville area!
Safety Tips for the Best Experience on Louisville Hikes
Stay hydrated: Plan ahead and bring a bottle of water or camel back. Many trailheads do not have formal welcome centers or easy access to water.
Know Your Location: Take a few minutes and plan your routes using a trail map or a mapping app like AllTrails or Trail Forks. Even the free options will give you a good idea of the hiking path you will be following. Most of our recommended trails are well-marked and easy to follow.
Inform a Trusted Contact: Let a family member or friend know your hiking plans. Some important details include, where you’re hiking, when (day and time), your planned route, and how long you think it will take. Make sure your contact knows what to do IF you don’t contact them at the agreed-upon time.
Simple Safety Gear: A few light weight pieces of gear are essential for all hikes. These include a safety whistle, a small first aid kit, bug spray, and sunscreen.
Weather Conditions in Louisville
We joke that if you don’t like the weather, then wait 5 minutes. The weather changes quickly in the Ohio Valley. In cooler months, temperatures can dip into the low single digits or even below zero at night time. In the warmer months, the air temps get into the nineties. Add in some humidity and it makes hiking miserable in the dog days of summer!
- Spring: Mild temperatures, blooming flora
- Summer: Hot and humid, best for early morning or late afternoon hikes
- Fall: Cool and crisp, vibrant foliage
- Winter: Cold, potential for snow or ice
Check the local weather.
Gear Recommendations for the Best Experience
As avid hikers, we make sure every member of the family has proper footwear. Good hiking boots or trail shoes give us excellent grip and stability on the loose natural-surfaces of many hikes. Having a good grip gives us more confidence as we enjoy our outdoor adventure in Kentucky!
The right clothing makes a huge difference. If you plan on longer excursions, you may start in the cooler temperatures of the morning. By early afternoon, you may be ready to shed a layer or two.
Early in our RV Camping journey, we invested in high-quality rain gear. Our North Face and REI rain jackets have kept us dry during day-long hiking adventures in the rain at Red River Gorge!
Snacks make hiking worth all the effort. Bringing a special treat helps boost spirits after a long uphill trek or when the kids need a quickbreak to recharge. Since most of our recommended hikes are short, you might enjoy the snack in the car driving to the trailhead of your next hike!
Trail maps or Apps with GPS are essential. We like AllTrails to plan our trips. Please note AllTrails is user supported, so some trails could be adjusted.
Make sure you know where you are at all times. As an experienced hiker, I recently was turned around on the Purple Heart Trail. I quickly gained my bearings and it was an important lesson to keep my composure on the trail!
Conclusion: Louisville Hikes
Get for YOUR fabulous outdoor adventure with these incredible Louisville hikes!
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting, the diverse trails around Louisville offer something for everyone. From the scenic overlooks and serene waterfalls to the lush forests and rolling hills, there’s no shortage of natural beauty to explore.
Grab your hiking boots, pack some snacks, and head out to discover the best trails in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Don’t forget to download the AllTrails app for detailed maps and trail information. Stay hydrated, dress appropriately, and let the vibrant landscapes of Louisville rejuvenate your spirit.
Join the community of avid hikers and nature enthusiasts who have already fallen in love with these trails. Share your experiences, tag us in your photos, and let us know your favorite hikes. The great outdoors is calling, and it’s time to answer. Lace up, step out, and create unforgettable memories on the beautiful trails of Louisville!
About Us
We are Mike and Sara, and our kids and dog are exploring the US while camping in our fifth wheel! Since the late 90s we have been exploring the great outdoors one hiking trail at a time. We introduced our kids to hiking while they were young and they love exploring new places. We call Kentucky home and we find ourselves exploring the state parks, national parks, and other wildlands in our area as often as we can!
Our RV camping journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Waking up close to the trails we love hiking was enough for us to get hooked on the camping lifestyle! Thanks for following our adventures!
