Daniel Boone National Forest: Sky Bridge Loop (Blog Hike #141)

Trail: Sky Bridge Loop

Hike Location: Daniel Boone National Forest, Red River Gorge

Geographic Location: north of Campton, KY (37.81765, -83.58226)

Length: 1 mile

Difficulty: 4/10 (Moderate)

Dates Hiked: September 1998, February 2004

Overview: A short hike past one of the premier destinations in Red River Gorge.

Trail Information: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recreation/recarea/?recid=39492&actid=50
Hike Route Map: http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=118960
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: Take exit 40 off of the Mountain Parkway to SR 15 and go west on SR 15.  Take SR 15 west 1.5 miles to SR 715 and turn right on SR 715.  Follow paved, but narrow and winding, SR 715 north 5 miles to the entrance road for Sky Bridge, which goes straight where SR 715 takes a sharp right.  Park in the parking lot at the end of this road.  The trail begins at a sign board at the rear of the parking lot.

The hike: Sky Bridge is one of the most famous and visited attractions in the Red River Gorge area.  The rock bridge itself offers nice size and symmetry, but does not particularly stand out in Red River Gorge’s collection.  What does stand out is the bridge’s location, namely on the tip of a peninsula several hundred feet above the river.  Further, the area is easily accessed by a paved road and a short hike.  But don’t let the crowds scare you away: one trip to this location and you’ll want to come back too. 

            There are a couple of ways to see Sky Bridge.  A handicap-accessible pull-out located just before reaching the main parking lot offers the postcard view of the bridge.  This view is worth a stop, but to really admire the bridge, you will need to hike at least part of the trail described here.

            Begin at an information board at the rear of the parking area.  The trail is a rough blacktop trail as it descends moderately from the parking area.  After only 0.25 miles, you will reach the top of the bridge.  The views from here are some of the best in the state.  Standing atop the bridge, you can look either direction for an unobstructed view of the Red River gorge, the bottom of which is several hundred feet below you.  The river is discernable, as is SR 715 which parallels the river.  Take some time to admire the view, but be careful not to get too carried away and lose track of your position.  The bridge is only 5 feet wide with no hand rails, so one bad step could have disastrous consequences.  Make sure to keep kids in firm tow here as well.

Walking across the top of Sky Bridge

            Many people stop here, but more rewards await those who continue.  On the other side of the bridge, the trail descends about 20 stone steps to arrive at another overlook, this one on the very tip of the finger ridge and with protective handrails.  From this point, the trail turns sharply right and travels along a ledge on the hillside below the trail you just traversed moments earlier. 

View from overlook

            At 0.65 miles, the trail arrives at the base of the bridge.  This is your chance to study the bridge itself.  A couple features of the bridge stand out.  Notice the smoothness of the lintel, an indication that this arch formed by erosion rather than some cataclysmic event.  Also, notice the small window on the far side of the arch.  This structure looks incidental, but actually it provides critical support for the main arch.

Sky Bridge from underneath

            Past the bridge, the trail passes along some small rock shelters before descending a set of wooden steps to a lower ledge.  After 500 feet along this ledge, arrive at the base of about 60 steps that will return you to the ridge top.  Once atop the steps, a mulch trail continues uphill another 200 feet to return you to the parking lot, thus closing the loop and completing the hike.