Rough Trail (Red River Gorge)
~2 days · 11.5 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Rough Trail (Red River Gorge) is known for
Rough Trail #221 crosses Kentucky's Red River Gorge Geological Area in Daniel Boone National Forest, climbing in and out of several steep drainages between arch-studded ridges — about 8 miles point-to-point per Forest Service figures. It links with the Swift Camp Creek and Koomer Ridge trails for classic overnight loops.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 2,464 ft to 4,167 ft over 11.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 4.6 mi · 40%
- Downhill 5.7 mi · 50%
- Flat 1.1 mi · 10%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Rough Trail (Red River Gorge)?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Rough Trail (Red River Gorge) scores 24/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Rough Trail (Red River Gorge) take?
Most backpackers hike the Rough Trail (Red River Gorge) in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 11.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Rough Trail (Red River Gorge)?
The Rough Trail (Red River Gorge) climbs roughly 2,900 ft total — about 252 ft per mile, topping out near 1,273 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.