Written by Eliott Hamilton
Anyone can benefit from being outdoors—exposure to nature is linked to improved mental and physical health. This can include urban green spaces, hiking on a trail, or getting some sun.
One of the most popular ways to spend time in the great outdoors is hiking, which is an excellent way to combine beautiful views with exercise and fresh air. Kentucky is full of a wide variety of trails, ranging from national park forests to urban walking trails.
Many hiking options have fully or partially accessible areas, as well as information about the types of terrain along the trail. With a bit of planning ahead, you can experience the outdoors on mobility-aid-friendly hikes throughout the Bluegrass.
The Importance of Grade
A trail’s slope is important to consider when looking for an accessible path. If the grade of the slope is too high, it can become unsafe or impossible for wheelchair users to navigate. In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) suggests that ramps be built with a 1:12 ratio. This means that a ramp should be 12 inches long for every 1 inch of height, leading to a maximum slope of about 5 degrees.
Many wheelchair users can comfortably manage an incline with a grade of 5 degrees or less, but this can vary depending on the trail surface, length of an incline, frequency of rest points, and individual accessibility needs.
Accessible Trails
Mammoth Cave
Click here for a review of the Mammoth Cave trails by Wheelchair Traveling.
1. Accessible Guided Tour
- Trail Type: Guided round trip
- Length: 0.5 miles
- Elevation Gained: -267 feet by elevator
- Estimated Grade: 2-5 degree slope leading to elevator; slope less than 2 degrees on trail
- Parking:
- A paved path connects the parking lot to the visitor center
- 1 van accessible spot
- Use personal transportation from the visitor center to the elevator building (a paved lot with no marked spots)
- Trail Surface: Smooth & Paved
- Trail Width: 36 inches
Mammoth Cave is the largest known cave system in the world. This accessible cave tour can accommodate 15-20 people, but a full group may require more elevator trips.
The cost of this tour is $27 for adults, $21 for youth, and $13.50 for anyone with a Senior pass or Access Pass. The tour may be canceled with little notice because the facility only has one elevator. Reservations are required. View ticketing information here.
2. Sloan’s Crossing Pond Walk
All Trails Information about Sloan’s Crossing Pond Walk
- Trail Type: Loop
- Length: 0.4 miles
- Elevation Gained: 13 ft
- Estimated Grade: 2-5 degrees maximum at the trailhead, which levels off as you continue.
- Parking: Paved without designated spots
- Trail Surface: wooden boardwalk
- Trail Width: 36 inches
This trail leads around a pond with plenty of wildlife viewing and birdwatching opportunities for early-morning visitors. There are multiple 5×5 foot viewing platforms located around the pond and benches along the way to rest.
3. Heritage Trail Loop
- Trail Type: Loop
- Length: 0.6 miles
- Elevation Gained: 42 feet
- Estimated Grade: Level with some areas of 2-5 degrees of slope throughout
- Parking: Accessible parking nearby at the Mammoth Cave Hotel or Visitor Center
- Trail Surface: Combination of pavement and boardwalk
- Trail width: 36 inches
This scenic trail takes visitors to Sunset Point, passing a small cemetery off the side of the trail along the way. There are multiple benches along the trail for resting and the boardwalk sections of the trail have handrails available. This trail is best viewed at sunset and features views of the Green River.
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
4. Forest Giants Trail
Forest Giants Trail All Trails Information
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Length: 2.1 miles
- Elevation Gained: 111 ft
- Estimated Grade: Mostly gentle with 2-5 degrees of slope in areas.
- Parking: Paved parking lot at the trailhead with two designated spots
- Trail Surface: A mix of wooden boardwalk with railings, paved asphalt, gravel, and natural surface (dirt) sections
- Trail Width: 4 feet
This trail takes visitors to see the 3 forest giant statues built by Thomas Dambo located in the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. It offers great photo opportunities and features rest stops with benches along the way. Due to the trail surface, some people using a mobility aid may need off-road wheels and/or power assistive devices.
5. Sun & Shade Loop
Sun & Shade Loop All Trails Information
- Trail Type: Loop
- Length: 1.1 miles
- Elevation Gained: 55 feet
- Estimated Grade: Mostly gentle with 2-5 degrees of slope in areas.
- Parking: There are two designated spots in a paved parking lot near the north end of the trail
- Trail Surface: A mix of gravel, wood mulch, or a natural surface (dirt, grass, leaves).
- Trail Width: 6 feet
Also located in the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, the Sun & Shade Loop trail offers a calm route through grassy meadows and forested areas. Featuring a couple of small bridges over a stream, multiple landscaping features, and a small graveyard sitting off the northernmost section. Visitors using mobility aids may require all-terrain tires and/or power assistive devices.
6. Buttermilk & Emmert Falls
Buttermilk & Emmert Falls All Trails Information
- Trail Type: out-and-back
- Length: 3.2 miles
- Elevation Gained: 206 feet
- Estimated Grade: Mostly gentle with a slope of 5 degrees or lower in most areas. There are steeper sections at the 0.9 and 1.5-1.6 mile areas when going east.
- Parking: Paved and gravel parking lot near the trailhead with no designated spots
- Trail Surface: Cement asphalt
- Trail Width: 6 feet
Created by turning 2.5 miles of county road into a nature trail, Buttermilk & Emmert Falls features unique flora, creek views, waterfalls, and an ancient Osage Orange tree. The path has many rest points with picnic tables and benches, and bridges on this trail are lined with grip strips.
The trail out to Buttermilk Falls (the first 0.6 miles) is wheelchair accessible. Visitors using mobility aids may need assistance if attempting to continue past this point in the trail.
7. Natural Arch Scenic Overlook
Natural Arch All Trails Information
- Trail Type: out-and-back
- Length: 0.2 miles
- Elevation Gained: 26 feet
- Estimated Grade: Mostly 5 degrees or less
- Parking: Paved parking lot at the trailhead with two designated spots and access isles
- Trail Surface: Paved asphalt
- Trail Width: Average of 6 feet
Located in the Daniel Boone National Forest, this short trail takes visitors to an overlook providing a panoramic view of a 100-foot long, naturally formed, sandstone arch. While the grade of this trail is mostly gentle at 5 degrees or less, there is a steeper section around the 0.1-mile mark going north. Visitors using mobility aids with wheels may need assistance navigating this area. There is an accessible vault toilet.
The Lexington Area
8. Wellington Park Path
Wellington Park Path All Trails Information
- Trail Type: Loop
- Length: 1.3 miles
- Elevation Gained: 45 ft
- Estimated Grade: 3 degrees or less
- Parking: Paved lot with two designated spots at the trailhead
- Trail Surface: paved asphalt
- Trail Width: 8 ft
This sunny path loops around the open green space and forested areas of Wellington Park. Other features of the park include a dark park and a meditation labyrinth.
9. Beaumont Walking Trail
Beaumont Walking Trail All Trails Information
- Trail Type: out-and-back
- Length: 3.3 miles
- Elevation Gained: 91 ft
- Estimated Grade: Mostly 5 degrees or less
- Parking: 8 designated spots in a paved lot at the north end of the trail
- Trail Surface: paved asphalt
- Trail Width: 6 ft
This trail winds through the Beaumont residential area and is a great spot for viewing wildlife in the city. The trail is highly shaded and features rest points along the path with benches. While mostly flat, this trail does have some sections with a moderately steep grade (about 5 – 8 degrees) at the 1.1 and 3.3-mile points. Visitors using mobility aids may need assistance traversing these sections of the path. Additionally, the path does cross over Beaumont Centre Lane at the 1.0-mile point.
10. Brighton East Rail Trail
Brighton East Rail Trail All Trails Information
- Trail Type: out-and-back
- Length: 3.3 miles
- Elevation Gained: 78 ft
- Estimated Grade: gentle – 3 degrees or less
- Parking: There is one accessible spot in the paved parking lot off Pleasant Ridge Drive, which is located at the midway point on the trail.
- Trail Surface: Paved asphalt
- Trail Width: 6 ft
This trail runs through lightly wooded residential areas of Lexington. The original 1-mile section of this trail connects Bryant Rd and Pleasant Ridge Park, but it was expanded in 2013 and now continues East to Walnut Grove Lane. Another recent expansion extends the trail west, connecting with the Liberty Park Train via a walking bridge over Liberty Rd. While the new trail development is paved, we are unable to find the information on the area’s grade or width. People using mobility aids may need assistance if the newer section of the trail has any steep grade.
11. McConnell Springs Trail
McConnell Springs Trail All Trails Information
- Trail Type: Loop
- Length: 0.6 miles
- Elevation Gained: 19 ft
- Estimated Grade: 3 degrees
- Parking: Two designated spaces in the parking lot off Rebmann Lane at the north end of the trail
- Trail Surface: Paved with partial railings
- Trail Width: 4 ft with some wider areas throughout
McConnell Springs Trail winds through a natural landscape with dense tree coverage in areas and features of Kentucky history such as sections of stone fencing throughout. This trail is a historic site popular among bird watchers and has benches along the trail to rest and take in the scenery. Only service animals are allowed on this trail.
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature