Distance: 88 Mi. | Days: 2 | Unpaved: 52%
Singletrack: 15% | Difficulty: Moderate | Rideable: 96%
Total Ascent: 6,059’ | High Point: 1444’
THE RED RIVER GORGE OVERNIGHTER
This route is a clean little loop from the beer/hostel/quesadilla hub of Sky Bridge Station. It’s a mix of off-road sections along the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway, some fun singletrack along Walker Creek and Powdermill Branch, and scenic FS Roads.
This logistically easy loop is a fantastic way to spend a night out in RRG (with beers and food to start/finish the ride).
ROUTE
* A note about elevation: RideWithGPS spit out 6,069′ of total gain. We recorded our ride on two different devices with slightly varying gains. You’ll be somewhere in the ballpark of 7K though. So, enjoy.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Blackburn Branch Overlook will present you with an absolutely spectacular gorge view. It’s pictured below.
- Walker Creek is a rugged railroad bed ride along the former Kentucky Union railway and now an integral part of the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway.
- Nada Tunnel is a one lane, 900′ “Gateway to Red River Gorge”. Get out your head lamp!
- Hatton Ridge is a truly stunning piece of rolling doubletrack.
- Spaas Creek is where you’ll get your feet wet and enjoy some fast mud.
- Morgan Hollow adds a quintessential section of hike-a-bike.
- Beer, gourmet hotdogs, darts at Sky Bridge Station. Plan a stay (or at least stop in) before or after your ride at this hostel and staple get-together spot.
MUST KNOW
- It’s free.
- This route can be ridden year around. Late October/November usually brings a fantastic color show with the changing leaves of Autumn. Don’t attempt this route during heavy rains, several sections will be impassable.
- Parking: Leave your vehicle at Sky Bridge Station (check with them first), or at any of the trailhead parking areas. NOTE: If you’re parking anywhere within the Daniel Boone National Forest, a permit is needed. They’re available at about all the gas stations in the area along with Sky Bridge Station and this big list of other places.
CAMPING
- Enjoy dispersed camping anywhere within the Daniel Boone National Forest. Keep it pretty, low-impact, and leave no trace. There’s several places along the route (we highlighted some of the better ones on the map).
- Before and after stay upstairs in the Hostel at Sky Bridge Station or find a camping spot nearby.
FOOD/H2O
- Treatable water can be found throughout the route with numerous creeks and rivers to pull from. The longest stretch without water is less than 25 miles.
- Resupply shouldn’t be needed for this over night route, so pack in what you need for the ride.
TRAIL NOTES
- Most current update, as of 10/10/22 the route is clear! Morgan Hollow is pretty washed out so just follow the stream bed. The start of Powder Mill trail is still very difficult to find – just cross the creek and head for the trail, you’ll hit it.
- What bike? A hardtail is probably your “best” bet. A full suspension is an overkill. Since there’s rough backroads and some singletrack, a rigid fork or gravel bike is pretty jarring.
- There’s several options to cut this route apart and ride it in sections. Same applies if it’s a little harder than what you expected – there’s plenty of cutoffs to get you back home.
- Easiness. Just to clarify, bikepacking is hard and an adventure! There’s some bikepushing, mud pits, trees and terrain to overcome along this route – as there should be. There’s also lots of fast riding, resupply is a non-issue, and there’s no shortage of bailout points. It’s certainly not “easy”, but a great route to get out and make some stories.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Bikepacking.com is the best site you’ll find. Along with the “How”, there’s a multitude of fantastic routes. They also recently added The Sheltowee Bikepacking Route (SBR) which overlaps some of this route (including the infamous Morgan Hollow).
