Chained Rock is one of the best hikes in Kentucky! With nearly 360 degree views around the top, it's beautiful no matter what time of year you go.

Why you should visit Chained Rock

The hike is short, fairly easy, and you get the fun of a rock scramble at the end. Once you're at the top, you'll have a great view of all of Pineville as you look out at the land around you. If you turn around and look in the other direction, there are Appalachian mountains as far as the eye can see.

The drive up the mountain is pretty steep and curvy (it'd be a fun road to drive on with a jeep in the summer), so I definitely recommend giving yourself plenty of time for the drive and the hike, especially if you're trying to catch the sunrise or sunset. You can't go wrong with either!

What's with the chain?

Even though the rock is technically part of the mountain, some Pineville locals and the Boy Scouts decided to put the chain around the rock back in the 1930s to ensure that it wouldn't roll off and crush the town. It has since become a popular spot for visitors all over the country! Whether it's a myth that the chain is necessary or not, it looks pretty cool to me!

We love getting out with our team and enjoying the great outdoors as a group. We talk a lot around here about getting inspiration from nature. Short hikes with great views at like this one help us reconnect with some of the great things that we love about Appalachia.