Kentucky road guide

The best motorcycle roads in Kentucky

The best motorcycle roads in Kentucky run from the sandstone cliffs of the Red River Gorge to the coalfield climbs over Pine Mountain and Black Mountain, with horse farms, bourbon towns, caves and lake country in between. Here are 12, grouped by region, with why each is worth it, what to watch for and the best season.

Roads listed: 12
Regions: 4
Highest point: Black Mountain, 4,145 ft
Check before you go: GoKY

Before you pick

How to use this list of the best motorcycle roads in Kentucky

Kentucky's riding changes every hour or two of travel. The east is Appalachian, with roads that follow creeks through hollows and then climb hard over ridges. The Daniel Boone National Forest wraps the Red River Gorge, Cave Run Lake and Cumberland Falls. The Bluegrass around Lexington is smooth horse-farm cruising, south-central Kentucky has knobs, bourbon towns and Mammoth Cave, and the far west is lake country.

Conditions change, especially in the east. Eastern Kentucky has had severe flooding in recent years, coal trucks track mud and gravel onto mountain roads, and repairs can close a route for weeks. Check GoKY before a long ride. For regions, laws and events in one place, start at the Kentucky motorcycle rides hub.

Daniel Boone National Forest

The Gorge, Cave Run Lake and Cumberland Falls

1. Red River Gorge (KY 11, KY 77 and KY 715)Why: Kentucky's best-known riding destination. From Slade, KY 11 runs past Natural Bridge State Resort Park, and the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway loops through the Gorge on KY 77 and KY 715, past sandstone cliffs, arches and Sky Bridge. KY 77 goes through the Nada Tunnel, about 900 feet long, unlit and one lane wide. Watch for: Oncoming headlights before you enter the tunnel, hikers and parked cars at trailheads, and tight, shaded curves. Best season: April to June, October.
2. Zilpo Road and Cave Run LakeWhy: A National Forest Scenic Byway near Morehead that winds through the Daniel Boone National Forest down to the shore of Cave Run Lake. Short, quiet and wooded, and it pairs well with the roads around the lake. Watch for: Deer, campers towing trailers in summer, and no services along the byway. Best season: May to October.
3. Cumberland Falls (KY 90)Why: KY 90 winds through the forest to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, home of the waterfall called the Niagara of the South. On clear nights near a full moon, the mist can form a moonbow. Keep going west on KY 90 toward Lake Cumberland for more curves. Watch for: Park traffic, pedestrians near the falls, and wet pavement from mist and shade. Best season: April to October.

The southeast mountains

Pine Mountain, Black Mountain and Cumberland Gap

4. US 119 over Pine MountainWhy: Between Whitesburg and Cumberland, US 119 climbs and drops over Pine Mountain in steep, stacked curves with long views of the ridges. Kingdom Come State Park sits on the mountain above Cumberland. Watch for: Loaded coal trucks taking their half out of the middle, mud and gravel near mine entrances, and fog. Best season: May to October.
5. KY 160 over Black MountainWhy: Climbs from the old coal town of Lynch, home of the Portal 31 mine tour, up the shoulder of Black Mountain, the highest point in Kentucky, and over into Virginia toward Appalachia. Real elevation, few cars and big views. Watch for: Steep grades, sharp switchbacks, and cold and fog at the top. Best season: May to October.
6. US 25E and the Pinnacle at Cumberland GapWhy: The old Wilderness Road route into Kentucky. US 25E passes Pine Mountain State Resort Park near Pineville, then Middlesboro, and tunnels under the mountain into Tennessee at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. Inside the park, a short, tight road climbs to Pinnacle Overlook, with a view over three states. Watch for: Heavy truck traffic on US 25E and tight switchbacks on the Pinnacle road. Best season: April to November.

Bluegrass, bourbon and the river

Horse country, bourbon country and the Ohio

7. Paris Pike and Old Frankfort PikeWhy: The classic Bluegrass pair. Paris Pike (US 27/68) runs smooth and wide between Lexington and Paris past dry-stacked stone fences and thoroughbred farms. Old Frankfort Pike (KY 1681) is narrow and tree-lined between Lexington and Frankfort. Watch for: Farm traffic at gates, cyclists on Old Frankfort Pike, and no shoulders. Best season: April to June, September to October.
8. US 62, Versailles to BardstownWhy: Runs southwest from Versailles, drops to cross the Kentucky River, passes through Lawrenceburg, then rolls through the knobs toward Bardstown, the self-styled Bourbon Capital of the World. Distilleries line the way. Watch for: Tour traffic at distillery entrances, and the obvious: tasting rooms and riding don't mix, so save the bourbon for after the bike is parked. Best season: Spring and fall.
9. US 31E, Hodgenville to BardstownWhy: Passes the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace near Hodgenville and his boyhood home at Knob Creek, through farmland and knobs into Bardstown. Easy curves and real history. Watch for: Farm equipment and slow traffic near the park units. Best season: Spring and fall.
10. KY 8 along the Ohio RiverWhy: Flat, open river riding east of Cincinnati, through small towns like Augusta and Maysville with brick riverfronts and lunch stops, and barges on the water beside you. Watch for: Morning river fog, debris after high water and slow traffic in town. Best season: April to October.

Caves and lakes

Mammoth Cave and Land Between the Lakes

11. Mammoth Cave National Park roads (KY 70 and KY 255)Why: KY 70 and KY 255 wind into Mammoth Cave National Park through forest and karst hills, and park roads lead to the Green River Ferry, a short river crossing when it's running. Pair a ride with a cave tour. Watch for: Park traffic, deer, and the ferry closing for high or low water. Best season: April to October.
12. The Trace (KY 453), Land Between the LakesWhy: The spine of Land Between the Lakes, a long, forested strip of land with Kentucky Lake on one side and Lake Barkley on the other. The Trace runs its length into Tennessee with almost no development, and the Elk and Bison Prairie sits along the way. Watch for: Wild turkey and deer crossing, campers in summer, and few services. Best season: April to October.

Summary

Kentucky motorcycle roads at a glance

Road	Region	Character	Best season
Red River Gorge (KY 11, 77, 715)	Daniel Boone NF	Tight, scenic, one-lane tunnel	Apr to Jun, Oct
Zilpo Road and Cave Run Lake	Daniel Boone NF	Short forest byway	May to Oct
Cumberland Falls (KY 90)	Daniel Boone NF	Forest curves, waterfall	Apr to Oct
US 119 over Pine Mountain	Southeast	Steep, stacked curves	May to Oct
KY 160 over Black Mountain	Southeast	Highest climb in the state	May to Oct
US 25E and the Pinnacle	Southeast	History, tight park road	Apr to Nov
Paris Pike and Old Frankfort Pike	Bluegrass	Smooth, scenic farm roads	Spring and fall
US 62, Versailles to Bardstown	Bourbon country	Rolling, river crossing	Spring and fall
US 31E, Hodgenville to Bardstown	Bourbon country	Easy, historic	Spring and fall
KY 8 along the Ohio	Northern Kentucky	Flat river towns	Apr to Oct
Mammoth Cave roads (KY 70, 255)	South-central	Park roads, ferry	Apr to Oct
The Trace (KY 453)	Far west	Long, quiet, wooded	Apr to Oct

Seasons are general patterns. For month-by-month timing, see the best time to ride a motorcycle in Kentucky.

In the app

Kentucky roads riders added in Rippin'

Right below this section is the live list of Kentucky roads that riders have added to Rippin' and a person on our team has checked. Rippin' started in Southern California, so Kentucky is early, and most of these 12 roads are waiting for a rider to add them.

Ride one with Rippin' recording, then open Segments and tap Create a Segment: set a start gate and a finish gate and trace the line. Once it's approved it goes live with your name on it, riders who ride through it land on its board, and a crown goes to the rider who owns the road. Rippin' never rewards speed on public roads. See how roads get added.

A loop through the Gorge on KY 77 and KY 715 closes back on itself, so it claims the land inside as your turf on the live map, and most of Kentucky's turf is still unclaimed. See how Turf Wars works.

Live from the app

Kentucky on Rippin' right now.

9 upcoming events and 0 rider-added roads in Kentucky on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.

EventsRider roads

No Kentucky roads are in the app yet. Add the one you love from Segments and a person on our team checks it before it goes live. How roads get added.

FAQ

Questions riders ask.

What is the best motorcycle road in Kentucky?

The Red River Gorge loop on KY 77 and KY 715 is the most famous. For mountain riding, try US 119 over Pine Mountain or KY 160 over Black Mountain. For easy scenery, Paris Pike through horse country.

Can motorcycles go through the Nada Tunnel?

Yes. It's a narrow, unlit, one-lane tunnel on KY 77, about 900 feet long. Stop, look for oncoming headlights, and ride through slowly.

What are good Kentucky roads for newer riders?

Paris Pike, US 31E into Bardstown, KY 8 along the Ohio and the Trace through Land Between the Lakes are relaxed. Save Pine Mountain and Black Mountain for when you're comfortable.

Can you ride the Bourbon Trail on a motorcycle?

You can ride between the distillery towns on roads like US 62 and US 31E. Don't ride after tasting: save it for when the bike is parked for the night.

Where is the highest road in Kentucky?

KY 160 climbs over Black Mountain near Lynch, close to the highest point in the state at 4,145 feet, and crosses into Virginia.

Can I add a Kentucky road to Rippin'?

Yes. Any rider can add a road with Create a Segment. A person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it.

Put a Kentucky road on the map.

Download Rippin' free, ride one of these roads with it recording and add it. Your name stays on it.

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