I love to go hiking, especially as a “timeout” from my online work projects. Sometimes fresh air and exercise are just what I need to recharge and reset.
I’m sharing some of my favorite places to hike in Northern Kentucky that you’ll want to add to your list.
![Devou Park Overlook in Covington Kentucky view from Devou Park Overlook](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Overlook-at-Devou-Park-in-Covington-Kentucky.jpg)
Hiking Trails at Devou Park
The Overlook
1201 Park Dr, Covington, KY
Enjoy a great view from the Overlook and then walk the paved paths throughout the park on muddy days.
Devou Backcountry Trails
On dry days, explore the backcountry hiking trails that are also used for mountain biking.
Be prepared to jump over to the side quickly if you hear a mountain biker coming down the path.
![under train bridge at Devou Backcountry trails train bridge Devou Park](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Backcountry-Trails-at-Devou-Park-in-Covington-Kentucky.jpg)
There are two different parking lots on opposite sides of the Sleepy Hollow Rd.
![Devou Backcountry Trails Devou Park Backcountry Trails](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Backcountry-Trails-at-Devou-Park-in-Covington-Kentucky-1.jpg)
The Sleepy Hollow Montague Trail is one of my go-to trails. I like the vantage point beneath the train bridge and the inclines are a great workout.
![Highland Cemetery Nature Trail Hiking Trails at Highlands Cemetery](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Highland-Cemetery-Nature-Trails-Kentucky-1-1.jpg)
Hiking Trails at Highlands Cemetery
2167 Dixie Hwy, Fort Mitchell, KY
This is one of my other favorite hidden hiking gems. I have relatives buried at Highlands and I only discovered their trails in the last few years.
![Highland Cemetery Nature Trail Map sign for Hiking Trails at Highlands Cemetery](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Highland-Cemetery-Nature-Trails-Kentucky-e1585149334539.jpg)
There are 5.2 miles of trails on the 150 acres cemetery property.
It’s one of my favorite places to hike because it is so convenient to get to, located right off of the expressway at the Fort Mitchell exit off of I-75.
To get to the parking lot inside the cemetery, take all right turns as soon as you enter the cemetery and you will find the parking lot on the left.
The trailhead starts near the creek and there are a few spots where you can relax on a bench to watch nature along the water or at the top of a hill.
![Batman trail at Highlands Cemetery Hiking Trail at Highlands Cemetery](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/batman-trail-at-Highlands-Cemetery-e1585154887561.jpg)
Kids and superhero fans will also love discovering the “Batman” themed trail signs.
Many of the trails connect to each other which makes it fun to “choose your own adventure” and see where you end up.
![Boone Cliffs State Nature Preserve Boone Cliffs Nature Preserve](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Boone-Cliffs-State-Nature-Preserve.jpg)
Hiking Trails at Boone Cliffs Nature Preserve
4700 Middle Creek Rd, Burlington, KY
![columbine flower at Boone Cliffs Nature Preserve wild columbine flower at Boone Cliffs Nature Preserve](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/wild-columbine-flowers-at-Boone-Cliffs-State-Nature-Preserve-e1585142185509.jpg)
Be on the lookout for the wild columbine flowers in bloom at Boone Cliffs Park that naturally grow out of limestone cliffs.
The parking lot of the preserve is really small and make sure that you pay attention to the parking signs to make sure that you are in the designated location.
![Big Bone Lick State Historic Site](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Big-Bone-Lick-State-Park-in-Kentucky.png)
Hiking Trails at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
3380 Beaver Rd, Union, KY
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site has 4.5 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate in a variety of terrain from paved to unpaved.
![Big Bone Lick State Park in Kentucky paved trail Big Bone Lick State Historic Site](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Big-Bone-Lick-State-Park10.jpg)
Yes, we know the name of the park that our local hidden gem sounds odd. The name inspiration came from the Pleistocene megafauna fossils found there.
during pre-historic times mammoths frequented this location by the salt licks deposited around the sulfur springs.
With that understanding the name it makes a little more sense.
You can learn more about prehistoric history during the Ice Age on markers placed along the Discovery Trail behind the visitor center on the paved trail.
Afterward, you might want to explore some of the unpaved hikes.
![Bison Viewing area at Big Bone Lick State Park bison viewing at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Bison-viewing-at-Big-Bone-Lick-State-Park-in-Kentucky.png)
Visit the Bison
Kentucky had wild bison around the 1800s and the current bison herd at the park is a reminder of the park’s more recent history.
While you are at the park you definitely want to take the paths that lead to the bison viewing.
![Dinsmore Woods State Nature Preserve Dinsmore Woods State Nature Preserve](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Dinsmore-Woods-State-Nature-Preserve-in-Kentucky-1-e1585160312318.jpg)
Hiking Trails at Dinsmore Woods State Nature Preserve
5700 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY
The Park entrance is on the right, located just past the Dinsmore Homestead. You can park at Middle Creek Park Parking lot across the road.
![cemetery at Dinsmore Woods State Nature Preserve cemetery at Dinsmore Woods State Nature Preserve](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Dinsmore-Woods-State-Nature-Preserve-in-Kentucky--e1585159603608.jpg)
This 107-acre park has a mature forest and a cemetery at the top of the hill.
![Mill Creek Park in Northern Kentucky bridge on hiking trail Middle Creek Park](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Middle-Creek-Park-in-Northern-Kentucky-.jpg)
Hiking Trails at Middle Creek Park
5655 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY
If you are feeling extra ambitious you could hike at the Dinsmore and Middle Creek Park on the same day because of their close proximity.
![creek at Middle Creek Park](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Middle-Creek-Park-in-Northern-Kentucky-1.jpg)
The 3-mile loop trail can get really muddy in the lower sections so be mindful of what the weather has been a few days prior to your hike.
![Gunpowder Creek Nature Park in Kentucky Gunpowder Creek Nature Park in Kentucky](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gunpowder-Creek-Nature-Park-e1588431306629.jpg)
Hiking Trails at Gunpowder Creek Nature Park
6750 Sperti Ln, Burlington, KY
There are 1.2 miles of unpaved hiking trails but the best part is the creek.
![Gunpowder Creek Nature Park in Kentucky Gunpowder Creek Nature Park in Kentucky](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gunpowder-Creek-Nature-Park-3.jpg)
Challenging yourself to find a rock path in the creek to walk across without falling in is still fun as an adult.
![Gunpowder Creek Nature Park in Kentucky Gunpowder Creek Nature Park in Kentucky](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gunpowder-Creek-Nature-Park-1.jpg)
This is a popular hidden gem with limited parking and a very steep hill gravel trail to go down to access the trails to the creek. Be prepared because you will also have to walk up the steep hill when you leave.
![Gunpowder Creek Nature Park in Kentucky Gunpowder Creek Nature Park in Kentucky](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gunpowder-Creek-Nature-Park-2.jpg)
I would suggest wearing old shoes that can get wet and bringing towels because your kids will want to get wet if it’s a nice day.
![grassy area Gunpowder Creek Nature Park grassy area Gunpowder Creek Nature Park](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/grassy-area-Gunpowder-Creek-Nature-Park.jpg)
There is also a large grassy section where you can toss a ball or plan a picnic.
![Doe Run Lake in Kentucky Doe Run Lake Park](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Doe-Run-Lake-Park-in-Kentucky.jpg)
Hiking Trails at Doe Run Lake Park
1501 Bullock Pen Rd, Covington, KY
You’ll want to visit the hiking trails at Doe Run after several days without rain because the trails can get really muddy and the trail is often closed.
![bridge to trail at Doe Run Lake hiking trail at Doe Run Lake Park](https://adventuremomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/hiking-trail-at-Doe-Run-Lake-Park-in-Kentucky.jpg)
The 2.8-mile loop trail takes you around the 50-acre lake but many areas along the trail can be washed out and hard to find.
I’m still mentioning it because it’s a scenic small lake and you could walk along the road and toward the end of the trail closer to the road where you drive in.
Try them all and decide which Northern Kentucky hiking trails are your favorite.