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A beautiful looped course taking runners through the Cumberland River canyon with a start/finish at the iconic Falls.


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Map Key

29.0

Miles

46.7

KM

95%

Runnable

1,229' 375 m

High

826' 252 m

Low

2,673' 815 m

Up

2,674' 815 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

36%

Max Grade (20°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

This is a beautiful singletrack course that follows the Cumberland River, and it's class III&IV white water rapids. Stunning canyon system!

Description

The Moonbow 50K is a 3x looped trail race that begins at the Moonbow trailhead near the Visitors Center in Cumberland Falls State Park. The people of this area were hearty folk and this course will show you how they got that way.  With roughly 95% of the course off-road (including a segment of the Sheltowee Trace Trail - Kentucky's long-trail), runners will traverse miles of rugged, winding, and at times grueling singletrack trail.

Natural landmarks you'll encounter include stunning rock houses and overhangs, creek crossings and magnificent waterfalls.  Most striking is the iconic finish just a short walk from the 68-foot high, 125-foot wide Cumberland Falls - home of the moonbow -- often referred to as 'The Niagara of the South'.Natural beauty doesn't come to you - you go to it.  Come on out, retrace the steps of the hearty folk that once called this place home and redefine what you call flat terrain. The Moonbow 50K is a very technical and challenging course and is highly recommended to have some experience before entering.

There is a 11 hour cutoff time for the Moonbow 50K (All 50K participants must finish first full loop by 1pm to start second loop. All 50K participants must finish second full loop by 5pm to start third loop).
*Portions of the proceeds benefit the Kentucky State Parks and the National Forest Service.

Contacts

Shared By:

Dan Durick

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 2 votes

#1335

Overall
  5.0 from 2 votes
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Recommended Route Rankings

#12

in Kentucky

#1,335

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2,721 Since Jun 23, 2017
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Photos

Cumberland Falls
Dec 12, 2018 near Whitley…, KY
Visitors Center Aid Station
Feb 26, 2019 near Whitley…, KY
Ridge Top Aid Station
Feb 26, 2019 near William…, KY
Pinnacle Lookout Tower
Feb 26, 2019 near William…, KY
The Cumberland River peeks through the trees.
Aug 16, 2017 near Whitley…, KY
Cumberland Falls State Park, Kentucky
Dec 1, 2017 near Whitley…, KY

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