Raven's Rock at Red River Gorge Photo Gallery by Marc Alverson at pbase.com

Raven's Rock at Red River Gorge

I had heard about this hike but never quite figured out where it was. The "trailhead" is confusing in that you can't park nearby, it is not marked, and you must walk through a driveway that leads to a bunch of private residences to get to it. There are nice views as you climb in the winter when the leaves are off the trees. Once you are on the top, there are neat views all around. The hike is not that long but the climb is fairly steep. It probably took about an hour to get to the top.

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Raven's Rock	The "trail" is an old roadway	A look up towards the top	Most of the time the path is wide and clear
A view from the top	A tree clings to the edge of the rock	Looking down into the valley	Another neat view
Cindy at the top	The foundation of an old structure at the top	Another nice view	Me!

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JW		02-Jan-2011 21:49
Of late, some folks have made a race of getting to the top. It's called the Raven's Rock Challenge. The start is at the settlement below and the finish line is the overlook railing.

ben williams		12-Jul-2010 20:20
Over a decade ago a former automobile dealer from Mount Sterling, Kentucky envisioned turning Raven's Rock into a major tourist attraction. He spent considerable sums of money on the project, which included building a steep paved road to it's top, so people could drive up to what is probably the most spectacular overlook in the entire Gorge area. Further plans included the eventual building of a restaurant atop the rock with the view to whet the appetite of the diners. A fee was charged for driving private autos to the top. Serious problems soon arose. In September of 1976 a two day hang gliding tournament was held atop Raven's Rock with the participants sailing off the 600 foot cliff into the valley below. On the first day of the meet a young pilot from Cincinnati was killed. It was thought at that time to be just an unfortunate freak accident and the meet was allowed to continue. A second fatality occurred on the next day. Again, the victim was also from Cincinnati. Since both men were experienced hang glider pilots and had soared from Raven's Rock on several previous occasions, it was never fully determined whether the dual deaths were due to peculiar wind shifts around the rock, or to pilot error. Hang gliding has been forbidden from the rock since these accidents. The number of automobiles making this steep and somewhat hazardous trip up and down did not produce enough revenue to keep the inclined road in repair so the whole enterprise was abandoned. Raven's Rock has since been purchased by the federal government and is now part of the Daniel Boone National Forest. Serious erosion cuts in the road have made it impassible for even four wheel drive vehicles but hiking up the abandoned road can be a pleasant experience. Even though the view is outstanding, there are several things to consider before making the ascent. The round trip of almost four miles will take at least a couple of hours with an altitude gain of 500 feet in about 1/2 mile. At this writing there is no parking area on public ground and there is no drinking water at the top. But for those in good condition and who have time for the climb the view offered from the top of Raven's Rock certainly makes the hike worthwhile.

Doug McCune		05-Oct-2008 21:29
Regarding the foundation on top of Raven Rock... There used to be a hang-glider ramp on top of the rock. I believe that foundation was the base of the ramp. The ramp was built over the vertical drop side of the rock. It was closed after some gliding accidents resulted in one or two deaths. I was there in the 70's and the road was open, but when I went back in 1984 it was closed. I spoke to a lady who said she owned the property--she said we could walk to the top but preferred that we not ride (we were on motorcycles) up the road. Very nice person. I think someone else owns the property now (2008). I new one of the men who built the hang-glider ramp (he's the one who told me about Raven Rock). Btw, that was, by far, the STEEPEST paved road I've ever been on. I believe I still have a small pamphlet I got there when the road was open. I have never heard of a snack bar or bear cage up there. There were picnic tables, though--a snack bar might have been a good idea. Doug McCune

Koomer Ridge.com		29-Apr-2008 15:02
I thought the footings were from a structure that was basically like a concession stand from when this road was open to cars. Can you imagine trying to manuver one of those old boats up that road/trail? As I read it, Ravens Rock was open to vehicle traffic and their was a snack stand at the top. Maybe the bear took over.

Guest		31-Mar-2008 11:04
Originally there was a Building with water storage above with a cage attached that housed an Asiatic Black Bear named BeeBee. There was also 4 footings for a tower that was to be part of the planned Skylift similar to Natural Bridge........Glenn

Rick Page		04-Oct-2006 16:22
The old structure at the top of Raver Rock used to house a black bear years ago.......Rick

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