Long Creek Trail is the clearest easy-walk choice in the Nature Watch area. A quarter-mile paved path crosses flat bottomland forest between Honker and Hematite lakes, where sycamores, sweet gums and oaks shelter birds and other wildlife. Distance: ¼ mileSurface: paved and flatAccessibility: listed by the Forest Service as wheelchair accessiblePlan: about 15–30 minutes Who … Read more
The Fort Henry Trail System links nine hiking-and-biking trails across roughly 27 miles in southern Land Between the Lakes. The routes follow country tied to Ulysses S. Grant’s movement from Fort Henry toward Fort Donelson and offer some of LBL’s quieter woods. System: nine connected trailsTotal opportunity: about 27 milesUse: hiking and bikingCurrent issue: several … Read more
The South End of the North/South Trail is the quieter, generally easier half of the long route through Land Between the Lakes. It runs about 27 miles between the Golden Pond area and the South Welcome Station, with access from several Forest Service roads. This is a hiker-only trail except for a shared equestrian section … Read more
Hillman Heritage National Recreation Trail is a 5.47-mile hiking-and-biking network in the woods around Hillman Ferry Campground. The trail follows roads once used by the Star Lime Works community before Kentucky Lake changed the landscape. Trail network: 5.47 milesUse: hiking and bikingPublic access: register at the Hillman Ferry gatehouseParking: small public lot before the gatehouse … Read more
Central Hardwoods Scenic Trail runs beside the US 68/KY 80 corridor across central LBL. Its eastern 2.5 miles are paved; the remaining 8.5 miles use compacted stone. Gentle grades and rest areas make it one of the most approachable longer routes for walking and biking. Length: 11 miles end to endSurface: 2.5 miles paved; 8.5 … Read more
Honker Lake Trail makes a 4.6-mile circuit around a shallow 180-acre impoundment in the Nature Watch area. The route moves through shoreline, upland and bottomland forest, giving patient walkers a better chance to notice wildlife than a hurried roadside stop. Distance: 4.6-mile loopUse: hikingPlan: roughly 2–3 hoursBest for: wildlife watchers and a quieter half-day walk … Read more
Canal Loop is the substantial north-end trail: an 11-mile loop with four connectors that support shorter combinations and up to 14 miles of trail opportunities. Lake views and rolling terrain make it rewarding, but this is not a flat shoreline stroll. Main loop: 11 milesOptions: four connectorsUse: hiking and mountain bikingPlan: roughly 4–6 hours on … Read more
Center Furnace Trail Nestled in the lush expanse of Kentucky’s Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area lies a hidden gem of history and natural beauty: the Center Furnace Trail. This easy yet fascinating 0.3-mile loop offers an intimate glimpse into the region’s past, while enveloping visitors in the serene beauty of Kentucky’s woodlands. A … Read more
Above: the Kentucky Lake shoreline at Lighthouse Landing, beside the Grand Rivers Jetty. The Grand Rivers Jetty is the sort of walk that lets you arrive at the lake slowly. The paved path leads toward a pavilion on Kentucky Lake, with open water ahead and Lighthouse Landing nearby. You do not need a boat, a … Read more
Hematite Lake Trail circles an 80-acre lake in the Nature Watch area, passing forest, wetland edges and a quarter-mile boardwalk through a beaver marsh. At 2.2 miles, it is long enough to feel like a real outing without claiming the day. Distance: 2.2-mile loopUse: hikingSurface: natural trail with a wetland boardwalkPlan: roughly 1–1½ hours at … Read more
The Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area is a fantastic destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors. With over 170,000 acres of land making up the peninsula between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake, 3,500 miles of lake shoreline and all the massive area surrounding the outer region of the lakes, the potential for … Read more
Hiking in Land Between the Lakes The Land Between the Lakes, a majestic natural area spanning 170,000 acres, is a treasure trove of scenic beauty and tranquil landscapes. Situated between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, this region is not just a picturesque backdrop but a hiker’s paradise, offering a network of trails that weave through … Read more