Of the many trails in Red River Gorge, the Chimney Top and Princess Arch trails are two of the easiest. And there are right next to each other, so you can do both at the same time, without having to move your car.
For anyone visiting Red River Gorge, you don’t want to skip these two hikes. Both are less than a mile in total and can be done quickly. We saved them for last, and they were the perfect trails to cap off our hiking day.
If you’re thinking about hiking the Princess Arch and Chimney Top trails in Red River Gorge, the guide below has everything you need to know. So, let’s dive in!
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Things to Know Before You Hike to Princess Arch and Chimney Top Rock
Dangerous Cliffs
Red River Gorge has some really beautiful and easy trails. However, some of these hikes lead to the top of tall arches, and cliff overlooks with no guards or railings. You’ll want to keep small kids and pets close by.
Limited Cell Service
Cell coverage can be spotty in Red River Gorge and Daniel Booner National Forest. It’s always best practice to download a map before you visit.
Wildlife
Red River Gorge is home to many species of wildlife, including the occasional black bear and poisonous snakes. Always be aware of your surroundings and watch out for the wildlife.
Pets
Pets are allowed on the trails in Daniel Boone National Forest.
Be a Responsible Visitor
Remember, as you visit this park, to respect nature. Stay on established paths, pack out your trash (including food waste), and leave what you find behind.
The more popular these destinations become, the more we need to be diligent about keeping our parks and lands clean and safe for all. You can learn more here.
Chimney Top Rock and Princess Arch Parking and Bathrooms
Getting There
The parking area for the Princess Arch and Chimney Top is at the end of a 3.5-mile-long, unpaved road. You will have to drive slowly to avoid the many potholes and bumps along the road.
To get to the parking lot, turn onto Chimney Top Rock Road from Sky Bridge Road (Ky 715), in Pine Ridge, Kentucky.
Parking For Chimney Top Rock and Princess Arch Trails
The parking lot for the Chimney Top Rock and Princess Arch trails is very large. There are spaces for at least 20 cars or more.
As always, popular trails like these can get crowded on weekends and mid-afternoons, so it’s always best to visit in the morning or early evening. When we hiked the trails, we arrived around 4:30 pm, and there were only a few cars in the parking lot.
Amenities at Chimney Top Rock Trailhead
Like the Grays Arch parking area, there is a vault toilet at the Chimney Top Rock parking area. There is no running water.
Chimney Top Rock Trail
Chimney Top Trail leads to a fantastic overlook 400 feet above the Red River, giving visitors a good perspective of how the area was formed.
| Trail Location: | Chimney Top Rock Road in Daniel Boone National Forest (Trail #235) |
| Trail Length: | .7-miles out-and-back |
| Trail Difficulty: | Easy |
| Trail Type: | Out and back |
| Elevation Gain: | 85 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes |
Trailhead
The trailhead to Chimney Top trail is on the southern part of the parking loop and is clearly marked with the trail name and distance. It says 1/4 mile on the trailhead sign, but we clocked at .35 miles to the overlook. No matter, it is still short and sweet!
What to Expect on the Trail
This easy trail is about .7 miles out and back. The path is paved for about half the course. The other half is relatively flat, with occasional rocks and roots to navigate.
I’ve read websites that state this is a wheelchair-friendly trail, but I would argue it is not. The paved path stops about halfway through the trail, and then afterward, the trail has many rocks and roots in the path, as well as a few natural “steps”. Although it’s not a wheelchair-friendly trail, you might be able to use an off-roading stroller.
Overlook
The overlook is about 400 feet above the Red River, offering gorgeous views of the surrounding area. I’d argue it’s one of the best views in Red River Gorge. It’s surrounded by wooden and stone fences, with many warnings not to climb over the fence.
From the overlook, you can see parts of the Red River to your right and Half Moon Rock to your left. Chimney Top Rock is also a great place to catch the sunset! Just be careful as you walk back to the car of steep drop-offs.
Princess Arch Trail
Princess Arch is a flatter natural stone arch. You can either take the trail to the bottom or continue along the trail to the top of the arch. At 32 feet across, Princess Arch is one of the smaller arches in the Daniel Boone National Forest, but it is still worth hiking to!
| Trail Location: | Chimney Top Rock Road in Daniel Boone National Forest (Trail #233) |
| Trail Length: | .5-miles out and back to the bottom of arch; 1 mile out-and-back to the top of arch |
| Trail Difficulty: | Easy |
| Trail Type: | Out and back |
| Elevation Gain: | 100 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes |
Trailhead
The trailhead to Princess Arch is on the north side of the Chimney Top Rock parking area. Cars may be blocking the entrance.
What to Expect on the Trail
The Princess Arch Trail is a short and sweet hike in the Red River Gorge.
The trail itself is uneventful. Although it is not paved like the Chimney Top trail, it’s very easy, with only a few rocks and roots to navigate around.
It’s only about .25 miles to the bottom of the arch. You can stop there or continue another .25 miles to the top of the arch. From the top of the arch, you can either backtrack the way you came or finish the loop to the main trail. We backtracked since the other trail wasn’t obvious.
At the Arch
The Princess Arch is fun to explore. The kids climbed up on the stone to the top of the arch while I took the trail to the top. There are several nooks around the base and some carvings in the stone on the arch. (This goes against the Leave No Trace principles, so please don’t add any of your own!)
Other Hikes Near Chimney Top Rock and Princess Arch Trails
Sky Bridge and Others
The trails to Sky Bridge, Whistling Arch, and Angel Windows are not far from the Chimney Top Rock trail. You’ll have to drive down Chimney Top Road to Sky Bridge Road (KY 715), and then make a left, following the road north. It’s easy to do all of those hikes in one day with Chimney Top and Princess Arch.
Unofficial Trails
There are several unmarked and unofficial trails near Chimney Top in Red River Gorge. Some of the more popular trails are Cherokee Arch (moderate) and Half Moon Arch (hard). If you choose to do these trails, make sure you have a good map and GPS.
Chimney Top Rock and Princess Arch Wrap-Up
We loved visiting both Chimney Top Rock and Princess Arch. As two of the easiest trails in Red River Gorge, we loved how kid-friendly they were. My only wish is that the paved path to Chimney Top continued to the overlook to really make it a wheelchair-friendly path. Otherwise, there are two trails I wouldn’t skip on your visit to Red River Gorge.
Related Content
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- Sky Bridge Arch Hike in Red River Gorge
- Five Easy Trails in Red River Gorge
- Hiking Rock Bridge Trail to Creation Falls in Red River Gorge
- Hiking to Natural Bridge in Red River Gorge: Everything You Need to Know
- Hiking to Grays Arch in Red River Gorge
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