Sky Bridge Trail (Red River Gorge) Hiking Guide

Sky Bridge is the arch you can walk across. The short loop from the end of Sky Bridge Road goes over the top of the span, down stairs to pass underneath it, and returns along a high cliff shelf. It is the quickest big payoff in the Red River Gorge and a natural first stop before a longer hike.

no permit neededdog-friendly
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
0.7 mi
Elevation gain
101 ft
Trailhead
Pine Ridge
walk across the top of a 75-foot archpath underneath the archcliff-shelf return with viewspicnic area at the trailhead
springfallwinter

The Loop

The Forest Service describes Sky Bridge Arch as 23 feet high and 75 feet long, reached by Sky Bridge Arch Trail #214, which loops over and under the arch and then follows a high cliff shelf back to the start. Its trail table lists the trail at three-quarters of a mile. AllTrails measures the loop at 0.7 mile with 101 feet of gain and rates it moderate because of the stairs, with most people done in under an hour.

Crossing the Top

Walking on the arch is allowed and is the main draw, but AllTrails warns that the path on top is narrow with steep drop-offs and calls it unsuitable for pets or children. The Forest Service brochure also cautions that brush at a cliff edge is no handhold and asks parents to keep children under close watch. Climbing and rappelling within 300 feet of Sky Bridge are prohibited by forest order.

Getting There and Parking

From Slade, take KY 15 east about 8 miles, turn left on KY 715 and drive about 6 miles, then turn onto Sky Bridge Road (Forest Road 245) and follow it to the end. The Sky Bridge Picnic and Scenic Area has designated parking, picnic tables, trash collection and accessible vault toilets, and it is a day-use site open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Devils Canyon Overlook, with a view into Parched Corn Creek, is along the same road.

Gladie Visitor Center

The gorge's visitor center is on the same stretch of KY 715, at 3451 Sky Bridge Road in Stanton. The Forest Service lists it as open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with drinking water and flush toilets, and it sells maps and the overnight parking permits. It is the best place to ask about current road or trail conditions on this side of the gorge.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed on the trail, and because the trailhead is a developed recreation site, federal rules require a leash no longer than six feet there. Given AllTrails' warning about the top of the arch, consider sticking to the lower part of the loop under the arch if you have a dog with you.

Hiking tips for Sky Bridge Trail (Red River Gorge)

  • Hold children's hands on top of the arch; the edges drop steeply.
  • Plan to be out of the picnic area by 10 p.m., when the day-use hours end.
  • Stop at Gladie Visitor Center for water and maps.
  • Climbing on or rappelling from the arch is banned within 300 feet.
  • Pair it with Rock Bridge or Chimney Top for a full day.

Nearby trails to explore

  • Rock Bridge Trail (Red River Gorge)
  • Chimney Top Rock Trail (Red River Gorge)
  • Gray's Arch Trail

Hike this trail with TrailMates

Sky Bridge is short enough to tack onto any day in the gorge. Use TrailMates to find hikers in the Red River Gorge, plan a multi-stop day in the event's group chat, and meet at the Sky Bridge lot. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.