The Trails

The Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge has 10 trails that cover a total of 7 miles. 

Physical trail maps are available in a small box at the kiosk in the main parking lot.

CLICK HERE to access a printable color trail map before your visit. 

Trails are located off of the main parking lot at:

660 Carpenter Creek Road

Parksville, KY 40464

The trails are listed and described below in alphabetical order:

BLUE TRAIL (Blue, Difficult, 0.4 mi.) – A short path off Circle Trail on a shady ridge, it was the first trail established at the Refuge.

BLUEBIRD TRAIL (Light Blue, Easy, 0.5 mi.) – Circling Island Pond, the trail goes through a meadow planted with warm season native grasses. *This trail is jogger stroller friendly except for one set of steps. You can either carry a stroller down these steps, or turn around and backtrack instead of completing the loop.

BROOKS HOLLOW TRAIL (Light Green, Easy, 0.9 mi.) – Beginning at Woodland Pond dam, the trail passes alongside Green Heron Pond and crosses Brooks Hollow Creek.

CIRCLE TRAIL (White, Moderate, 2.5 mi.) – Encircles Huckleberry Ridge and traverses some lower slopes.

DEER TRAIL (Purple, Easy, 0.3 mi.) – A pleasant, easy walk through the woods.

FORK TRAIL (Orange, Easy, 0.5 mi.) – A loop trail circling a warm season native grass meadow with a spur to the North Rolling Fork River. Caution: never enter a swiftly moving stream.

RIDGE TRAIL (Red, Strenuous, 0.6 mi.) – Takes you up and down three crests of Huckleberry Ridge and is well worth the climb.

WILDFLOWER TRAIL (Pink, Easy, 0.5 mi.) – A loop trail near the bridge on Carpenter Creek Rd., this trail features a cliff side walk with an exceptional display of spring wildflowers. To access this trail, carefully walk down Carpenter Creek Road from the parking lot. The trailhead is just before the bridge on your left. This trail is only open MARCH - MAY.

WOODLAND POND TRAIL (Green, Easy, 0.4 mi.) – A loop off Bluebird Trail, with a beautiful view of Woodland Pond.

YELLOW TRAIL (Yellow, Moderate, 0.4 mi.) — A gently rolling trail with a steep slope that connects to Circle Trail.