Adventures Within Reach
Subscribe

Rail Explorers

Location Icon Kentucky
Category Icon Nature & Outdoors

Go railbiking through Versailles, Kentucky, along the tracks of the 1888 Louisville Southern Railroad to explore the Bluegrass State in a new way. 

Couple railbiking along elevated track at Rail Explorers in Versailles, Kentucky (photo courtesy of Rail Explorers)

Riding through history is what railbiking is all about, and it is the newest way to see Kentucky’s Bluegrass region. Railbiking takes riders on a pedaling journey along a historic railroad route, and at Rail Explorers in Versailles, Kentucky, the journey follows the tracks that once carried the 1888 Louisville Southern Railroad. 

Along the path, adventurers can spot thoroughbred horse farms and enjoy panoramic views of the Kentucky River as they pass between limestone cliffs. The two-hour, 10-mile-round-trip Kentucky River Rambler ride is gentle and passes along the Wild Turkey Distillery on its way to its destination, the Kentucky River Gorge. A similar ride, the Kentucky River Sundowner, leaves later in the day, giving way to sunset views along the river. Both rides depart from the Versailles station and operate during the warm-weather months. 

Rail Explorers’ bikes are custom made from steel with electric assist for safety and durability, and they are available in quad or tandem styles, making them perfect for a family outing or romantic ride. A storage area provides room to pack drinks and snacks, which can be enjoyed once reaching the gorge. Since the steel bikes sit squarely on the tracks, you can pedal while snapping photos or merely sit back and enjoy the breeze. These solidly built bikes do not require balance and are easy to pedal. That setup makes it possible for a 5-year-old to railbike with his 95-year-old great-grandfather. 

Operating since July 2023, Versailles’ railbiking operation is the sixth of its kind, with Rail Explorers operating other lines in California, Iowa, New York and Rhode Island. After the tour, hop off the bike and head east to Lexington, located less than a half hour away, to sample the bourbon that Kentucky is known for and to get a taste of Bluegrass State nightlife. 175 Beasley Rd., Versailles, Kentucky 40383, 877/833-8588, railexplorers.net

tag:

recommended


Fisher animal at the West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek, West Virginia (photo courtesy of West Virginia Wildlife Center)

West Virginia Wildlife Center

Lean about the native fauna of the mountain state at this 330-acre French Creek, West Virginia, destination that is home to over 30 species of animal. 
Night sky reflected in lake at Watoga State Park in Pocahontas County, West Virginia (photo by Jessie Thornton)

Watoga State Park

Go stargazing at this state park in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, that is home to the largest designated dark-sky zone east of the Mississippi River. 
Kirtland's Warbler in a tree in Grayling, Michigan (photo courtesy of Kirtland's Warbler Tours)

Kirtland’s Warbler Tours

Catch a glimpse of the rare Kirtland's warbler in Grayling, Michigan, during the species' annual migration north each spring.
Presque Isle Lighthouse in Erie, Pennsylvania (photo by Brian Berchtold)

Presque Isle Lighthouse

Standing along the Lake Erie shore since 1873, this lighthouse in Erie, Pennsylvania, is brimming with maritime history. 
Pond with fountain and willow trees at Friendship Botanic Gardens in Michigan City, Indiana (photo courtesy of Friendship Botanic Gardens)

Friendship Botanic Gardens

Created for the Century of Progress Exhibition in the 1930s, this 105-acre Michigan City, Indiana, park features more than two dozen themed gardens.
Cane Creek Falls at Fall Creek Falls State Park in Spencer, Tennessee (photo courtesy of Tennessee State Parks)

Fall Creek Falls State Park

Take a hike through this state park in Spencer, Tennessee, to see Fall Creek Falls. The rushing waters plunge from 256 feet, making it the highest waterfall in the eastern United States. 

popular tags