Outdoor Fun

Berea is a great getaway for outdoor enthusiasts.

Hikers - Pick up trails with varying degrees of difficulty at the following locations:

  • Anglin Falls
  • Berea College Forest
  • Indian Fort Theater
  • Owsley Fork Reservoir

Bikers - Scenic Bicycle Loops in Madison County from Berea (Mileages are approximate.)

1. Mayde–Menelaus Road – 7 miles

The most basic local loop. Menelaus Road is classic county riding. Mayde Road brings you back through Berea’s industrial heartland. The Kentucky Artisan Center is right before you as Mayde Road joins KY 595. It’s a wonderful place to visit and to eat a fine meal. (Try a catfish sandwich). Map

2. Peggy Flats – 14 miles

A very popular local loop, good in either direction. If you are riding counter-clockwise, Peggy Flats will climb to a ridge and porpoise down to KY 595 which will return past the Artisan Center.

3. Lackey’s Airport – 20 miles

A gently undulating loop in either direction. A nostalgia ride for those locals who remember Lackey’s Airport, a grass airstrip/community gathering place from 1935 until its sale in 2004. Riding clockwise, you cross over, then back under I-75 on Menelaus Road and wind along the creek. Cross the railroad tracks, up the hill, and at the highest point on the right is the site of the old airport (marked Berea-Richmond Airport on old county maps) – a big white farmhouse with a hangar to its left. Picture 35 airplanes tied down, facing into the field. Be careful on the short stretch of US 25 to the next right turn on KY 495. There are wonderful chicken salad sandwiches and pies to be had at the Shell station in Kingston on KY 21.

4. Peytontown – 19 miles

A lovely loop in either direction, but a little easier clockwise. A scenic creek stretch along the bottom of Moran Summit Road is followed (if you’re going clockwise) by a brief uphill, a downhill to a sharp, shielded, right turn and then an avenue to a fine, old farmhouse. Watch for peacocks in the yard. Watch also for the historic estate where Caleast intersects, past Peytontown. At steep, curving, but short stretch follows, but is paid back by a long, lovely downhill.

5. Peytontown-Airport Variation – 20 miles

Again, either direction is fine riding. The route takes you past Madison County’s airport, where you might see anything from business jets to helicopters to ultralights.

6. John Ballard (Right) Variation – 14 miles

You can shorten the Peytontown loop by taking John Ballard Road to do the top half. Again, either direction is fine.

7. John Ballard (Left) Variation – 14 miles

Ride this loop counter-clockwise, because of the steep downhill where John Ballard Road t’s with Moran Summit.

8. Hagen’s Mill Road – 28 miles

The ride out Caleast is classic county riding, but the segment on Hagen’s Mill Road is exalted, with ridge vistas, a steep downhill to a bridge, and a beautiful stretch along the creek. Round Hill features a country store. The Kirksville Christian Church is notable. Happy Landing has a country store (closed Sundays). Map

9. KY 21-Moran Summit – 19 miles

A steep, but short climb introduces Guynn Road, which gives back its grade in a meandering downhill to KY 21. KY 21 is a busy road. Moran Summit features pleasant undulations back to KY 595.

Golfers - Enjoy the challenge of the Appalachian landscape on a scenic 9-hole course at Berea Country Club. The Pro Shop is located on Lorraine Court. Call (859) 986-7141 for the Pro Shop or (859) 986-7248 for the Club House.

Outdoor Resources

Trail Maps

Check back soon for links to trail maps!