Near French Lick Loop
Waterfall
Near French Lick Loop
Rory the trail dog feeling the long ascents on Buffalo Trace Trail.

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

French Lick Loop

5.0 (4 Ratings)
Buffalo Trace Trail and Waterfall Trail combined to make a mini-epic of climbs and descents.
7.8
mi
Distance
815
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
Waterfall

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
7.76mi
Distance
815ft
Elevation Gain
815ft
Elevation Loss
30%
Max Grade
877ft
High Point
483ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
From the parking area, follow the paved trail west and then across the golf course to reach the Buffalo Trace Trail on the other side of West Country Road 25 South. Head left to begin a clockwise loop on the mountain as mapped. To change things up, hikers could head counter-clockwise, but this finishes with a shorter descent at the end.The easy grades and smooth trail at the start pass quickly, and hikers will soon find themselves at the intersection with the Waterfall Trail at mile 1.65. Turn left to transition to a rougher and rockier trail that will make you work harder through steeper climbs, a rock gully, and a stream crossing. There's also a nice small waterfall to enjoy!Around five-miles, the Waterfall Trail ends back on the Buffalo Trace Trail. Bear left for a little bit of descending before the hike's final climb to the top of the West Side of Mt. Airie. All that's left is a couple miles of descending with a few short climbs mixed in.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
William Ganis