Hike Bike Pike, Bernheim Forest's New Multi-Use Trail

While doing a little research online for an upcoming blog, I was looking at the map of Bernheim Forest and came upon a surprise. Having been a visitor to Bernheim since I was 3 years old, I thought I knew the name and location of every trail in the park.

But lo and behold, there it was, a brand new trail just outside the main body of the park called the Hike Bike Pike. So captivated was I by the thought of a new trail in Bernheim Forest, I made plans to visit it the very next day.

The Hike Bike Pike trailhead is located past the main entrance on the left hand side of KY 245 (also known as Clermont Rd.). Take the entrance to the Jim Beam distillery and at the bottom of a small hill, you'll see a small gravel parking lot at the trailhead.

Hike Bike Pike Trailhead

As the name suggests, the Hike Bike Pike is a multi-use trail for hikers and bikers. This is something of a departure from other trails in the park that are for hiking only. Additionally, with the trailhead located outside of the main entrance, the weekend fees for entry to the park don't apply.

The trail is 3 miles long one way (6 miles total) and consists of both paved and gravel walkway. The first section of the trail is gravel for about a mile and a half, which transitions to an access road for a few hundred yards. After the access road, the trail returns to gravel again for about a quarter mile and then there is a long stretch of pavement to the end of the trail. The final section of pavement is a little over a mile long and there are patches of moss and debris, so bikers should be cautious on this section.

The trail is in excellent condition and really requires no special equipment outside of athletic shoes. There are no climbs of more than maybe 50 yards and the majority of the trail is flat, following the contours of a creek on one side and Clermont Rd on the other.

While Clermont Rd is seldom visible, it is a fairly busy roadway with industrial traffic. If you find automotive noise annoying, you might want to hike somewhere inside the park's main hiking areas to enjoy a more quiet setting. In addition to traffic noise, you'll also notice noise from the Jim Beam distillery for about the first half mile.

The first gravel section of the trail includes two bridges that cross the creek and provide nice views up and downstream. Even though the traffic noise was something of an issue for almost the entire length of the trail, it did not hamper the feel of being inside of a park.

If you walk slowly, you'll also have the opportunity to spot wildlife and interesting plants and fungi. On the sunny afternoon that I hiked the trail, I had unusually good luck getting butterflies to stay still long enough to get some excellent pictures.

Eastern Fence Lizard

Tiger Swallowtail

Great Spangled Fritillary

This trail is also set up ideally for those interested in exercise as well as enjoying the great outdoors. At six miles total length, the Hike Bike Pike provides a nice middle ground between of the extremes inside of Bernheim Forest. (Most trails inside of the park are under three miles, with the exception of the 14 mile Millennium Trail.)

Pros:

* Good length.
* Ample room for hikers and bikers
* No ticks
* No hiking equipment needed.



Cons:

* Traffic noise
* Mosquitoes (water is close by at all times)