Arches

  • Angel Windows

    Bits of green forest can be seen between two natural stone windows.

    Angel Windows has a 4 foot span and 4 foot height. Start at the Angel Windows Trailhead, which begins at the Parched Corn Overlook off KY 715. The trail extends along a wooded ridge that leads under a high cliff to Angel Windows - two small arches clustered together at the end of the cliff.

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  • Buffalo Arch

    Green leaves are just beginning to turn in front of and on top of a massive stone arch.

    Buffalo Arch, located at the end of a ridge, is approximately 19 feet high and 82 feet wide. The ridgeline drops along the back of Buffalo Arch into a valley created by a nearby stream. The arch is just a short hike back along an old road for 0.2-miles and then along another 0.2-miles along a ridgeline.

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  • Daylight Arch

    Dappled winter sunlight falls on a stone arch surrounded by leafless trees.

    Daylight Arch is a pair of delicate arches standing within a few feet of each other. One arch is 7 feet high by 14 feet wide and the other is 6 feet high by 14 feet wide. From the junction of Forest Service Roads 119 and 56, travel west on 119 for one mile. The arches are on the right next to the road.

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  • Double Arch

    A large arch appears like a hole in the mountainside across a valley.

    Double Arch is an unusual twin arch, with one arch on top of the other. The bottom arch measures 30 feet long and 12 feet high, and the top arch is 25 feet long and 2 feet high. After descending below a high cliff from the Double Arch Trailhead, visitors are treated to a breathtaking view of Courthouse Rock and Haystack Rock.

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  • Gobblers Arch

    Layers of stone stack to form a low roofed arch.

    Gobblers Arch is a sandstone arch that stands 12 feet high and 50 feet wide. Access to the arch is via Gobblers Arch Trail #636 which ascends from Rock Creek until reaching the cliffline. The trail then follows the ridgetop until reaching Gobblers Arch.

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  • Grays Arch

    A majestic view of a sunlight arch bridge towering overhead.

    Grays Arch extends off the end of a cliff and forms a buttress that spans 50 feet high and 80 feet across. The area is scenic and rich in flora with a waterfall occurring at the arch during wet weather. Starting from the Grays Arch Picnic Area, the access trail passes through mixed pine and hardwood forest with blueberry and huckleberry understory. The arch is visible from the trail.

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  • Hidden Arch

    Layered sandstone forms a triangular tunnel at the base of a larger rockface.

    Hidden Arch measures 6 feet wide and 4.5 feet tall. Starting from Koomer Ridge Campground follow Hidden Arch Trail #208 which leads from the left side of the campground and passes along a dry ridge to Hidden Arch. As the name denotes, this sandstone arch may be easily missed due to its small size.

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  • Indian Arch

    A dirt trail under a smooth curving arch.

    Indian Arch is 39 feet wide and 7 feet high. This arch is located next to Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail in the Red River Gorge. Start the hike from Bison Way Trailhead along KY 715, which leads to Indian Arch.

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  • Koger Arch

    Green foliage slightly obscures the pass through under a large stone arch.

    Koger Arch is 54 feet wide, 18 feet high, and 91 feet across. From the access trailhead, rock steps lead down to a seasonal creek. After crossing the creek, the arch is 0.3-miles down the trail.

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  • Markers Arch

    View from beneath a massive flat-bottomed arch.

    Markers Arch spans a total of 42.7 feet. From the Yahoo Arch Trailhead, follow the old road along the ridge top and take a right at the fork in the road on Markers Arch Trail #603. A sign directs visitors to the arch. The trail follows a pine-oak ridge before descending.

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  • Natural Arch

    A massive stone arch rises from a frost-covered forest.

    Natural Arch is an impressive 50 feet by 90 feet. Once home to prehistoric groups and later used as Cherokee hunting grounds, the arch and surrounding 945 acres were set aside to conserve the area's natural beauty. There are numerous ways to explore Natural Arch including a paved loop, dirt loop and steps to the arch itself.

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  • Princess Arch

    A thick stone arch cuts across a blue sky with bare trees cast shadows in the winter light.

    Princess Arch measures 32 feet long and 8 feet high. Scenic vista overlooks occur along extended cliff spurs. The hike to Princess Arch is relatively easy. The trail extends out onto a wooded ridge, passing though mixed pine hardwood stands and leading to this slender and graceful arch.

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  • Rock Bridge

    A moss and foliage covered stone arch creates a natural bridge over a small stream.

    Rock Bridge is a sandstone arch that spans over Swift Camp Creek. It is the only arch in the Red River Gorge that spans a stream. Follow Rock Bridge Trail #207 from the Rock Bridge Picnic Area parking lot. Scenic overlooks are nearby for viewing the area.

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  • Schoolhouse Arch

    A massive flat stone arch creates a wide sheltered area of shade.

    Schoolhouse Arch, as its name implies, was used as a classroom for a short time. The arch is 7 feet high by 80 feet wide. From the junction of Forest Service Roads 193 and 88, travel west on 88 for 1.3 miles. The arch is 150 yards down a dirt road on the left.

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  • Sky Bridge

    View from below a thick stone arch that forms a ramp to the ground.

    Sky Bridge is a large, sandstone arch formation that measures 23 feet high and 75 feet long. The trail makes a loop that leaves from the Sky Bridge parking area and passes over and under the arch and then along a high cliff shelf back to the parking area.

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  • Whistling Arch

    A small arch formed of mossy stone appears to balance one side on a small point.

    Whistling Arch spans 11 feet across and 4 feet high. The access trail boasts both a huge dry rock shelter with a scenic overlook as well as the buttress-type arch formation.

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  • Whittleton Arch

    A massive arch towers overhead of a large boulder and several small figures.

    Whittleton Arch, which spans 44 feet across and 14 feet high, is recorded as the largest arch by mass in the Red River Gorge Geological Area. The access trail is approximately one mile from Whittleton Campground on Natural Bridge State Park.

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  • Yahoo Arch

    Simple trail stairs lead up and under a large arch covered in moss and adult trees.

    Yahoo Arch is 17 feet high and 70 feet wide and also boasts a second smaller arch in the same area. The access trail follows an old roadbed along a ridgetop before descending stairs to follow along the base of a cliff.

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