Bad Branch State Nature Preserve, located along Pine Mountain in Kentucky, boasts rugged hikes and a scenic waterfall. Bad Branch is a designated Kentucky Wild River, and the nature preserve is part of the Bad Branch Wild River corridor.
The parking lot is a gravel area that can hold approximately 10 vehicles.
Waterfall Trail
The 1.2-mile moderate-to-strenuous hike to the waterfall has red circle blazes with a white bird in flight. It wanders through hemlock- and rhododendron-lined Bad Branch Gorge to the sandstone cliffs along the south face of Pine Mountain. The trail follows the cold mountain stream as it flows south to the Poor Fork of the Cumberland River.
While dominated by hemlocks, the forest also boasts Fraser magnolia, tulip poplar, and yellow birch trees.
As it approaches the gorge’s 100-foot-high cliffs, the trail becomes steeper. The ridgeline path is narrow in areas. There was one very narrow section where I had to carefully place my feet between exposed roots.
Near the 1-mile mark the trail splits – the High Rock trail continues straight, and the waterfall path breaks right. It passes by a massive moss-covered boulder.
Then I crossed a short metal bridge over the mountain stream before climbing a set of steps and a long wooden staircase. I appreciated that the wooden steps were covered with wire mesh to help with traction in wet or snowy conditions.
The trail continued to climb before opening up to the gorge. Here I saw the waterfall from the side. In order to get a more head-on view, I had to carefully make my way down into the gorge.
Note: Exercise caution and stay on the path. This protects fragile ecosystems and prevents serious accidents.
Bad Branch Falls
Bad Branch Falls is a 60-foot waterfall. It plunges over the sandstone cliffs and tumbles among boulders at its base.
Bad Branch Falls is one of 17 waterfalls featured in the Kentucky Wildlands Waterfall Trail.
Return Hike
The trail takes the almost same route back to the trailhead. Shortly before the end, a signpost indicates the path splits to the left to follow the stream. I crossed a wooden bridge, walked the trail for a short section, and then crossed the stream again – this time using stepping stones.
If you are looking for a more adventurous hike, there is a longer upper gorge loop that splits off to the crest of Pine Mountain to High Rock. This 7.5-mile loop trail passes through Ran Polly Gap and offers stunning views of Black Mountain and the Cumberland Plateau.