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Carter Caves Trails

Facility & Trail Maps
Locate trails and more on Carter Caves' facility map, or use their interactive adventure map.


Weather Conditions
344 Caveland DR
Olive Hill, KY
1/2 mile trail, looped trail, begins at welcome center, proceeds down to valley behind center to Carter Caves natural bridge, rated easy.
  • Hiking

Raven Bridge Trail (0.7 miles)
344 Caveland DR
Olive Hill, KY
.7 mile trail, most direct route to raven bridge, hikers can complete a loop back to the lodge or continuing on and joining with the Three Bridges trail, fairly level trail
  • Hiking

Box Canyon Trail (0.75 miles)
344 Caveland DR
Olive Hill, KY
3/4 mile looped trail, begins at cascades parking lot, pass many unusual geological featrues including Cascades Natural Bridge, Box Canyon, and wind tunnel, contains many hills, rated fairly difficult
  • Hiking

344 Caveland DR
Olive Hill, KY
2 mile looped trail, begins near welcome center, runs through Cave Valley Branch, ascends into Horn Hollow valley, passes a number of cave entrances, trail is hilly, offers great wildflower viewing during spring
  • Hiking

Rockhouse Trail (0.1 miles)
344 Caveland DR
Olive Hill, KY
.1 mile, connects Raven Bridge trail with the Three Bridges trail, begin walking the Raven Bridge trail to find this connector trail
  • Hiking

344 Caveland DR
Olive Hill, KY
The 4-C's Trail, 7 1/2 miles, begins at Welcome Center, passes through the Shangra La arch, runs parrallel to smokey valley lake before crossing Smokey Creek and ascending hill leading to Johnson Homeplace Backcountry Primitive Campground, permit required to camp and may be acquired from welcome center, trail crosses lake spillway and joins Three Bridges trail for return to welcome center
  • Hiking

344 Caveland DR
Olive Hill, KY
10 mile looped trail, begins and ends near horse stables, may be used as 2, 5 mile trails on either side of Cave Branch Rd., open to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrian riders, passes through mature hardwood forest of Tygart State Forest, and runs through scenic valley cut by Smokey Creek, see remains of Kiser Homeplace, terrain is rocky with several steep grades, rated difficult
  • Hiking
  • Biking
  • Horseback Riding

344 Caveland DR
Olive Hill, KY
1/2 mile, passes over Smokey Bridge, Raven Bridge, and Fern Bridge, numerous access points
  • Hiking

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