Hike Sky Bridge Trail, Red River Gorge, Kentucky

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Sky Bridge Trail #214, a semi-blacktop loop trail, leaves the Sky Bridge parking area and extends along a high narrow ridge to Sky Bridge and scenic overlooks. The trail passes over and beneath Sky Bridge, and then up a flight stairs (75 steps) back to the parking area. The main attractions are breathtaking overlooks into the Red River Gorge and the natural sandstone arch known as Sky Bridge. The way across the bridge is wide, but there is no guardrail to prevent a fall. Keep a close eye on children and keep pets on a leash when crossing. The Red River Gorge Geological Area has more than 100 natural arches, the greatest concentration of arches east of the Rocky Mountains. The defining geologic strata of the Red River Gorge were formed about 300 million years ago. Sediment, sand and pebbles eroding from the ancient Appalachian mountains were carried by a great river and deposited as a delta at the edge of a shallow inland sea that covered much of the middle part of North America. Over millions of years, the mountains were worn down, the sediments turned to rock and the inland sea receded. Gradually, streams began cutting down through the relatively flat layers of sedimentary rock. Because sandstone is a harder rock, it resisted erosion better than the shale and siltstone layers above and below. Erosion and weathering over millions of years sculpted the striking sandstone cliffs and intriguing geologic features that we see today in the Red River Gorge.

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