Fall/Winter 2010

There’s no reason to let the season keep you indoors and on the couch. Daniel Boone National Forest in the hills of eastern Kentucky, about an hour from Lexington, is a year-round destination. In winter, the rugged landscape of forested ridges, sandstone cliffs, deep ravines and frozen waterfalls is beautiful and deserted. Snowfall is generally light and temperatures are chilly but rarely bone-numbingly frigid. So, pack some polar fleece and thermal undies and plan to do some of the finest trekking this side of the Mississippi.

The 26,000-acre Red River Gorge, an area within the forest, was spotlighted on Backpacker Magazine’s 2009 list of the 100 best day hikes in the U.S.

Gorge Manager Tim Eling says he likes winter hiking there because there are “no crowds, no heat and no bugs” — plus no leaves on the trees to block the spectacular views, especially from rim top paths such as the Auxier Ridge Trail. And there’s nothing quite like walking the Gray’s Arch Trail on a sunny day after a cold snap has left huge glistening icicles edging the cliffs.

The region is known for amazing rock formations carved by weather and time. The largest is Sky Bridge, a naturally sculpted 90-foot span. If you don’t get winded climbing up the steps to the nearby Natural Arch, the amazing vistas at the top are sure to take your breath away.   
Comfortable cabins to rent are plentiful, reasonably priced and easy to find online. Many are equipped with hot tubs. Stepping into the steaming water for a soak under the stars after a long day of strenuous physical activity just might be as good as it gets.

- State - Kentucky

- Type - Outdoor Adventures

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