Trails & Maps

Enjoy views of the prairie and trees, including crabapples, dogwoods, magnolias, and conifers. This accessible trail utilizes the hike/bike lane of the main road through the arboretum.

• Rating:  Easy
• Width:  138 inches
• Surface:  Pavement
• Slope/Grade:  Multiple mild slopes reaching a max grade of 9%
• Obstacles:  Speed bumps, small hills
• Comfort:  High sun exposure
• Traffic/Popularity:  Shared with cars, bikes and pedestrians. Likely to encounter people.
• Parking:  Designated accessible parking at Visitor Center, Education Center, Arboretum Way, Playcosystem

Traverse through a pine and cedar forest and view vines and shrubbery undergrowth that provide habitat for wildlife.

• Rating:  Easy
• Width:  Avg. 60 inches | Min. 24 inches
• Surface:  Packed dirt, wooded bridges
• Slope/Grade:  Mostly flat with a couple of small slopes reaching 17% grade
• Obstacles:  Roots, small logs
• Comfort:  Low sun exposure, benches throughout trail
• Traffic/Popularity:  May encounter 1-2 people
• Parking:  Designated accessible parking at Education Center

Stroll this paved, accessible path to Let There Be Light, the statue marking Isaac W. Bernheim’s gravesite. Enjoy sweeping views of the Big Prairie and surrounding landscape.

• Rating:  Easy
• Width:  Avg. 72 inches
• Surface:  Pavement
• Slope/Grade:  Gradual 12% grade to reach flat surface
• Obstacles:  Small cracks in between stone at base of sculpture
• Comfort:  Moderate sun exposure, benches along trail
• Traffic/Popularity:  May encounter 1-2 people
• Parking:  Located at the base of the path

This out and back trail follows the course of Long Lick Creek via a paved and gravel trail. It passes through the old Clermont quarry, a section of Old Highway 245, and ends near the Bullitt/Nelson County Line. This trail is handicap accessible. Access from Happy Hollow Road, located across Highway 245 just east of Bernheim’s main entrance.

Enjoy breathtaking views of the forest canopy and gorgeous knobs from 75 feet above the forest floor.

• Rating:  Easy
• Width:  Wooded overlook 68 inches | Pavement 96 inches
• Surface:  Pavement, wood
• Slope/Grade:  Gradual 5% grade of pavement to flat wooden structure
• Obstacles:  Large rocks at trailhead with space for mobility device to navigate
• Comfort:  Moderate sun exposure, benches along pavement
• Traffic/Popularity:  Likely to see others
• Parking:  Located at High Point Loop trailhead (125 feet from path at 7% grade)

Wind through many ridges and view mounds of unknown origin. Look for the effects of logging and iron ore mining along this trail.

• Rating:  Moderate
• Width:  Avg. 36 inches | Min. 18 inches
• Surface:  Packed dirt
• Slope/Grade:  Multiple varied slopes, reaching a max grade of 34%
• Obstacles:  Roots, rocks, logs, mud
• Comfort:  Low sun exposure, benches at trailhead
• Traffic/Popularity:  Unlikely to encounter others
• Parking:  Large parking area at trailhead

Journey across the Elm Lick Watershed through many types of landscapes. Hike steep sections and stream crossings, weaving through grasslands, valleys, oak-hickory and beech-maple forests, and an old homesite.

• Rating:  Difficult
• Width:  Avg. 24 inches | Min. 12 inches
• Surface:  Packed dirt, gravel
• Slope/Grade:  Multiple steep slopes, reaching a max grade of 46%
• Obstacles:  Roots, rocks, logs, creek crossings
• Comfort:  Low sun exposure
• Traffic/Popularity:  May encounter 1-2 people
• Parking:  Located at trailhead

Hike to Bernheim’s historic fire tower. Built in 1929, the fire tower is open to the public based on staff/volunteer availability. This trail has steep sections to traverse.

• Rating:  Moderate
• Width:  Avg. 48 inches | Min. 36 inches
• Surface:  Loose gravel
• Slope/Grade:  Multiple moderate slopes, with grade up to 30%
• Obstacles:  Stairs, roots
• Comfort:  Low to moderate sun exposure, benches at trailhead and fire tower
• Traffic/Popularity:  May encounter 1-2 people
• Parking:  Large parking area at trailhead

Start this out and back trail at the Visitor Center to see all three of the Forest Giants in a Giant Forest. Enjoy views of native grasses and habitat as you cross the Big Prairie. Wind through parts of the Sun and Shade Loop to Lake Nevin, and see magnolias and the cypress tupelo swamp. Allow extra time for strollers and accessibility devices. For an easier trek, park on Arboretum Way to walk to Mama Loumari.

• Rating:  Easy
• Width:  Avg. 96 inches | Min. 36 inches
• Surface:  Pavement, pea gravel, packed dirt, grass, loose gravel, mulch
• Slope/Grade:  Multiple short and mild slopes reaching a max grade of 16%
• Obstacles:  Small washouts on gravel and dirt sections
• Comfort:  High sun exposure, benches located along trail
• Traffic/Popularity:  Likely to encounter other people
• Parking:  Designated accessible parking at Visitor Center and on Arboretum Way

Weave through mature wooded areas, and climb steep slopes. The trail is named due to activity during the Civil War.

• Rating:  Moderate
• Width:  Avg. 24 inches | Min. 16 inches
• Surface:  Packed dirt with a small section of gravel
• Slope/Grade:  Multiple short steep and mild slopes, max grade reaching 43%
• Obstacles:  Roots, rocks, sticks, logs
• Comfort:  Low sun exposure, picnic tables at trailhead
• Traffic/Popularity:  Unlikely to encounter others
• Parking:  Small area at trailhead

Cross Bernheim’s highest elevation of 927 feet. Wind through streams and beech and maple woodland with some gentle slopes.

• Rating:  Easy
• Width:  Avg. 36 inches | Min. 24 inches
• Surface:  Packed dirt
• Slope/Grade:  Multiple varied slopes reaching max grade of 28%
• Obstacles:  Roots, rocks, logs, creek crossing
• Comfort:  Low sun exposure
• Traffic/Popularity:  Unlikely to encounter others
• Parking:  Located at trailhead

Hike moderate to steep slopes, overlooking a valley and weave through the forest. Access to the Canopy Tree Walk, a must-see at Bernheim. Iron Ore Hill derives its name from the iron industry that flourished in the area in the mid 1800s.

• Rating:  Moderate
• Width:  Avg. 36 inches | Min. 18 inches
• Surface:  Packed dirt
• Slope/Grade:  Multiple slopes reaching max grade of 34%
• Obstacles:  Roots, rocks, logs
• Comfort:  Low sun exposure
• Traffic/Popularity:  May encounter 1-2 others
• Parking:  Located on Paul’s Point Circle across from trailhead

Cross diverse lowland and uphill terrain in a oak-hickory forest. Named for two families that lived in the area in the 1800’s, the trail includes the Jackson family cemetery.

• Rating:  Difficult
• Width:  Avg. 24 inches | Min. 12 inches
• Surface:  Packed dirt
• Slope/Grade:  Multiple slopes reaching max grade of 32%
• Obstacles:  Roots, rocks, logs, creek crossing
• Comfort:  Low sun exposure, benches and picnic tables at trailhead
• Traffic/Popularity:  Unlikely to encounter others
• Parking:  Located at trailhead on Old Forest Rd

Hike to the top of Inspiration Knob for a panoramic view of Lake Nevin. The trail connects Lake Nevin Loop and Two Ponds Loop, and provides access to crabapple and maple collections.

• Rating:  Difficult
• Width:  Avg. 36 inches | Min. 18 inches
• Surface:  Packed dirt
• Slope/Grade:  Long and moderate slope reaching max grade of 28%
• Obstacles:  Roots, rocks, creek crossing
• Comfort:  Low sun exposure
• Traffic/Popularity:  Unlikely to encounter others
• Parking:  Located on right side of Visitor Center Dr. just before trailhead

Stroll around 32-acre Lake Nevin through beautifully landscaped gardens and plant collections. View the cypress-tupelo swamp and redbud trees in ACRE. This 32-acre lake was part of the landscape design created by the Olmsted Brothers in 1948.

• Rating:  Easy
• Width:  Avg. 60 inches
• Surface:  Pavement, pea gravel, loose gravel, wooden bridges
• Slope/Grade:  Multiple short and mild slopes reaching a max grade of 12%, threshold of concrete dam bridge reaches 15% grade
• Obstacles:  Some washout sections of gravel
• Comfort:  High sun exposure, benches located along trail
• Traffic/Popularity:  Likely to encounter others
• Parking:  Accessible parking at Garden Pavilion

Commune with nature along the Meditation Trail, named in honor and memory of Lily Banerjee. Located along Bent Twig trail, the path consists of six spurs, with meditation prompts based on a positive attribute of a nearby tree. Pause, contemplate, breathe, and center oneself on the benches and decks.

• Rating:  Easy
• Width:  Avg. 60 inches | Min. 24 inches
• Surface:  Packed dirt, wooded bridges
• Slope/Grade:  Mostly flat with a couple of small slopes reaching 17% grade
• Obstacles:  Roots, small logs
• Comfort:  Low sun exposure, benches throughout trail
• Traffic/Popularity:  May encounter 1-2 people
• Parking:  Designated accessible parking at Education Center

Wind through ridges of oak-hickory forest to valleys and streams of beech-maple forest. This trail is the longest and most difficult at Bernheim. Recommended for experienced hikers only. Registration is required. Please sign in at the Bernheim entrance kiosk or at the trailhead. The halfway point is located off Paul’s Point Loop. From November through March, begin your adventure before 9:00 a.m.

• Rating:  Difficult
• Width:  Avg. 24 inches | Min. 12 inches
• Surface:  Packed dirt
• Slope/Grade:  Multiple long and short slopes reaching a max grade of 41%
• Obstacles:  Roots, rocks, logs, creek crossings
• Comfort:  Low sun exposure, one bench on trail
• Traffic/Popularity:  Unlikely to encounter others
• Parking:  Located near trailhead

Trek to the Edible Garden, Research Building and Mac’s Lake. Enjoy bird watching, wildflowers and moss.

• Rating:  Easy
• Width:  Avg. gravel 48 inches | Avg. paved 96 inches
• Surface:  Pavement, gravel, wooden bridges
• Slope/Grade:  Multiple short and mild slopes reaching max grade of 12%
• Obstacles:  Cracks in pavement, bridge reaches 9% grade
• Comfort:  Moderate sun exposure
• Parking:  Accessible parking at Visitor Center

Take this flat and upland trail through the forest and connect to one of Bernheim’s fire roads.

• Rating:  Easy
• Width:  Avg. 48 inches | Min. 24 inches
• Surface:  Gravel, packed dirt
• Slope/Grade:  Mostly flat with mild slope with max grade of 2%
• Obstacles: Log
• Comfort:  Low sun exposure
• Traffic/Popularity:  Unlikely to encounter others
• Parking:  Located along Paul’s Point Circle at trailhead

Traverse slopes along Rock Run Creek to view limestone and shale outcroppings and search for wildflowers.

• Rating:  Moderate
• Width:  Avg. 24 inches | Min. 20 inches
• Surface:  Packed dirt and gravel
• Slope/Grade:  Multiple moderate slopes with max grade of 39%
• Obstacles:  Rocks, roots, steps, creek crossings
• Comfort:  Low sun exposure
• Traffic/Popularity:  Likely to encounter others
• Parking:  Located on Forest Hill Dr. across from trailhead

Stroll through mowed pathways across the grassland prairie over mostly even terrain. Use Big Prairie trails to connect to other trails in the Arboretum.

• Rating:  Easy
• Width:  Avg. gravel 60 inches | Avg. grass 120 inches
• Surface:  Grass, packed dirt, gravel
• Slope/Grade:  Mild slopes with max grade of 11%
• Obstacles:  Washouts in dirt or gravel
• Comfort:  High sun exposure, one bench along Arboretum Way
• Traffic/Popularity:  Likely to encounter others, especially near Forest Giants Trail
• Parking:  Multiple areas with accessible parking, located along Arboretum Way

Journey through a mature forested area with understory woody plants that are suitable for home landscapes.

• Rating:  Easy
• Width:  Avg. 54 inches | Min. 36 inches
• Surface:  Packed dirt, loose gravel, pavement, wooden bridges
• Slope/Grade:  Short slopes that reach a 28% grade
• Obstacles:  Roots, rocks, bridges, low clearance log
• Comfort:  Benches along sunny section
• Traffic/Popularity:  Likely to encounter others, especially at Forest Giants Trail
• Parking:  Accessible parking along Arboretum Way near the Big Prairie

Explore native habitats and works of art as you weave through the Big Prairie and the world renowned Holly Collection.

• Rating:  Easy
• Width:  Avg. 72 inches | Min. 60 inches
• Surface:  Gravel, packed dirt, wooden bridges, pavement
• Slope/Grade:  Mild slopes with max grade of 20%
• Obstacles:  Roots, cracks, washouts, steps
• Comfort:  High sun exposure
• Traffic/Popularity:  Likely to encounter others
• Parking:  Accessible parking at Visitor Center and Education Center