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