Balanced Rock Trail/Hood’s Branch Trail/Original

Hike Name: Balanced Rock Trail/Hood’s Branch Trail/Original Location: central KY Length: 5.2 Submitted by: Nikki Fox Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Kentucky trail reviews Kentucky national parks Kentucky state parks
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Description
Moderate trails take you in the forest of Natural Bridge State Park. Starting with the Balanced Rock Trail (0.75 miles) you’ll pass a huge rock balanced on a smaller on about 1/20th its size. Good photo. From there take a left onto Hood’s Branch Trail (3.75 miles) through the woods. A very peaceful hike with little traffic and ware on the trail. This will wind upwards to the feature of the park: the Natural Bridge. You can climb atop it and around it to explore or have lunch and see the view of Kentucky’s rolling hills. One note: to ascend to the top of the bridge you have to pass between two huge rocks that allow about 40 to 45 inches of human to get through. If you’re heavier, you may not be able to reach the top. After the bridge you can descend back to the parking lot via two trails on either the Original Trail (0.7 miles) or the Balanced Rock Trail. Both are about the same length.

Directions to Hike
From I-75 take Richmond exit #87 or #90 and follow 876 (the Eastern Bypass) to Highway 52 East. Follow until the small town of Ravenna and take 1571 east until it intersects back with 52 East. This will end and at the t-intersection take a left on 498 East. Again, this road will end and take a left on 11 North. You’ll run into Natural Bridge State Park. Maps are available at the gift shop.

Contact Information
Natural Bridge State Park
2135 Natural Bridge Road
Slade, KY 40376-9999
(606) 663-2214

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