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Raven Rock Road

 4 votes
  1. Areas
  2. KY
  3. …Southeastern Kentucky
  4. …Daniel Boone National Forest
  5. Cumberland Ranger District
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Length

2.0 Miles 3.1 Kilometers

88%

Runnable

Elevation

566' 173 m

Ascent

-106' -32 m

Descent

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

44%

Max Grade (24°)

1,224' 373 m

High

672' 205 m

Low

Conditions

Unknown
History
Getting forecast...

“A borderline novelty climb with some history.”

— Chris Chaney
GPX File — Driving Directions

Overview

There is a pay parking lot off KY 77. Please respect private property in the area and pay or park at the steel bridge on Red River nearby and run along the road to pick up the trail.
Features: Birding — Fall Colors — River/Creek — Swimming — Views — Wildflowers — Wildlife
Dogs: Off-leash

Runner Notes

This trail follows an old road. The initial part is on dirt, then there is a section that was once paved, and at the top the route follows the top of the cliff. Don't lean on the railing!

Description

Take a run into history with this hill climb challenge to gain the summit of one of the iconic but obscure rocks in the Red.

Enterprising land owners in the previous century built a road to the summit with intentions of developing a resort site on top. It never panned out, but the old road is still there laying under a few decades of fallen branches and leaves.

The top of Raven is a truly spectacular place and deserves to be visited more often.

Flora & Fauna

Red River Gorge area, all wildlife applies including copperheads and rattlesnakes. While the rock is named "Raven" the actual birds that inspired the name were turkey vultures.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Daniel Boone National Forest Office

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Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 4 votes

#9

in Cumberland Ranger District

#3856

Overall
  4.5 from 4 votes
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Rankings

#9

in Cumberland Ranger Dist…

#46

in Kentucky

#3,856

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1,320 Since Jul 5, 2015
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Photos

This is all that remains of the old spring pumphouse on Raven Rock Road.
This is all that remains of the old spring pump…
 3
Along Raven Rock Road, you can sneak views of the Red River through the remains of the old fencing.
Along Raven Rock Road, you can sneak views of t…
 3
You could once drive a passenger car up this road!
You could once drive a passenger car up this road!
 1
The remains of the old roadbed are still there today.
The remains of the old roadbed are still there…
 3
SPOILER: View from the summit
SPOILER: View from the summit
 3
Spring on top of Raven's Rock
Spring on top of Raven's Rock
 3

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