Pennyrile Nature Trail

The Pennyrile Nature Trail (PNT) stretches from a parking area south of Dawson Springs on Highway 109, all the way to Pennyrile State Resort Park where it combines with the Indian Bluff Trail to terminate at the state park lodge. The website “All about Paducah” describes the PNT as follows: “Enjoy scenic overlooks, abundant wildlife, and views from the bluffs of the Tradewater River as you meander along this 13.5 mile trail.” Along this hike, you will also encounter beautiful views of Lake Beshear.

In the book Hiking Kentucky, Michael H. Brown provides a brief history of this hiking trail, stating, “In the late 1990’s, doing much of the work on his own time, state forester Richard Hane set about to develop a hiking trail through the northern half of the 14,468 acre Pennyrile State Forest, the second-largest forest owned by Kentucky.  The result is the beautiful and strenuous Pennyrile Nature Trail” (p. 334).

The website “All about Paducah” continues to state, “This hiking trail is managed as part of the natural environment. The trail was designed for foot traffic only to minimize soil erosion. Most of the trail is in a working forest that is managed for multiple uses such as wildlife, clean water and air, timber production, recreation, and aesthetics. Visitors must be prepared to meet and accept nature on its own terms. The trail is considered to be moderate in difficulty due to the slopes and time needed to walk it.”

The website “Pixel’s Travels,” in describing the Pennyrile Nature Trail, states, “Recently ‘Backpacker Magazine’ [May 2005, p. 117] rated this trail the most difficult hiking trail in Kentucky. The trail is slightly difficult because it is needlessly twisty and little-used in parts, but it has none of the steepness, rocky surface, and remoteness found in eastern Kentucky trails.”

Should you require further information about the Pennyrile Nature Trail, the best contact person is Rebecca Clark; as she is known to lead annual guided hikes along the trail. She is the park Naturalist and Recreation Supervisor for Pennyrile State Resort Park. Please be respectful of the unique geologic features and natural resources as you hike through the Pennyrile State Forest, and remember to “take only pictures” and “leave only footprints.”