While it’s best known for its rich musical and historical heritage and laid-back charm, Paintsville, Kentucky is also a great place for indulging in outdoor activities. If you’re visiting this wonderful city in fall, you should explore some of the trails in the area that provide excellent leaf-peeping opportunities. Check out these three awesome hiking trails around Paintsville.
Kiwanis Trail
The Kiwanis Trail is a 1.6-mile loop trail that’s moderately trafficked, well maintained, and well-marked. With an elevation gain of only 154 feet, it’s suitable for hikers of all skill levels. It’s mostly flat with minimal inclines, but you can take one of the few alternative routes with some hilly parts if you want to work up a sweat. The northern section of the trail runs along the southern shoreline of the scenic Paintsville Lake, offering wonderful photo and picnicking opportunities.
The Kiwanis Trail is located about four miles northwest of downtown Paintsville in the Paintsville Lake State Park. The trailhead is just across from the administration building of the Mountain Home Place, a popular historical attraction in the area. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash.
Glade Branch Trail
Also located in the Paintsville Lake State Park, the Glade Branch Trail is less trafficked than the Kiwanis Trail, making it an ideal place for a quiet and tranquil hike. This 2.9-mile out-and-back trail is relatively easy to complete as it only gains 344 feet in elevation. Along the way, you’ll see interesting geological features such as a waterfall and rock cliffs, as well as an array of wildlife. The trail ends at a natural beach, where you can enjoy a nice picnic or take a cool dip in the lake.
The trailhead of the Glade Branch Trail is situated at the end of Glade Branch Road, just a few miles north of the northwestern shore of Paintsville Lake. The best time to use this trail is between April and October.
Dawkins Line Rail Trail
If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, get on the 18-mile Dawkins Line Rail Trail. Although it’s only half-completed, it’s already the longest rail-trail in Kentucky. Straddling the Dawkins Line railroad bed that connects Hagerhill to Evanston, this trail runs through eastern Kentucky’s stunning Appalachian region, home to the greatest biodiversity in North America. During your hike, you’ll pass historic coal structures, scenic trestles, and the Gun Creek Tunnel, as well as a national forest and state park where elk are commonly sighted.
The Dawkins Line Rail Trail begins at the end of an unnamed street off Dawkins Avenue in Hagerhill, which is two miles south of downtown Paintsville. The trail has numerous access points throughout its length.
Due to its proximity to many state parks and wildlife management areas, Paintsville serves as an excellent base for hikers and outdoor adventurers. Whether you’re a novice or seasoned hiker, you’ll be able to find a hiking trail around the city that suits your skill level. Make sure you’re properly geared-up before embarking on your hike.
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Image via Flickr by LandBetweentheLakesKYTN
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