| At first glance, rock climbing in Kentucky may seem | | | | climbing, the following areas get thumbs up: |
| like a far fetched idea. Au contraire! Red River Gorge | | | | 1. Pebble Beach |
| provides great rock climbing areas in KY. | | | | 2. Sky Bridge Ridge |
| Rock Climbing Areas in KY - Kentucky | | | | 3. Fortress |
| Located in the Daniel Boone National Forest, the | | | | 4. Long Wall |
| greater Red River Gorge area is over 26,000 acres. | | | | These areas all have epic climbing routes with ratings |
| The Red River runs for approximately 20 miles | | | | all well above five. |
| through the area. The area around the river is rife | | | | Sport climbing presents an entirely different challenge |
| with rock climbing opportunities with multi-pitch walls, | | | | and the Red River Gorge area meets it. Top areas |
| boulders and climbing roofs to try out your over | | | | include: |
| vertical technique. The Red River Gorge can be | | | | 1. Global Village with multiple climbs |
| reached by car in about an hour from Lexington, Ky. | | | | 2. Military Wall |
| Trails and camping are plentiful in the area, so you | | | | 3. Roadside Crag |
| can make a weekend of your trip. | | | | 4. Pebble Beach |
| Rock climbing is permitted through most of the | | | | 5. Sky Bridge Ridge |
| gorge, but a few areas are off limits. You can ask | | | | If you are new to the area, the best two spots to |
| the forest rangers for a list, but you generally are | | | | hit are Pebble Beach and Sky Bridge Ridge. Each |
| barred from climbing or descending on any of the | | | | offers a variety of climbs, which gives you the best |
| arches. Also, all routes are pre-set and rock climbers | | | | opportunity to try out your technique and take on a |
| are forbidden to start new routes without getting | | | | few challenges. |
| permission first from the rangers. Sorry for the | | | | There are other areas in Kentucky that offer solid |
| downer, but you don't want to get arrested. | | | | rock climbing. The Red River Gorge, however, is the |
| When rock climbing in Red River Gorge, there are a | | | | king of the mountain when it comes to rock climbing |
| few areas getting universal thumbs up. For traditional | | | | areas in KY. |