The Gorge has more than 100 miles of trail leading to natural arches, cliff-top overlooks, and creek-bottom waterfalls. Here are the standouts, sorted by effort so you can match the day to your group.
Easy — great for first-timers, kids, and a relaxed afternoon
- Sky Bridge — a short 0.7-mile loop (some stairs) where you can walk both under and over the arch.
- Princess Arch & Chimney Top Rock — both short, from the same parking area; Chimney Top has a big overlook (watch kids near the edge).
- Rock Bridge / Creation Falls — an easy loop to a waterfall, a wading pool, and the only arch in the Gorge that spans water. (See our Creation Falls guide.)
- Natural Bridge — the iconic 78-foot arch in Natural Bridge State Resort Park; hike the Original Trail or ride the skylift up.
Moderate — the classic Gorge hikes
- Gray's Arch — a roughly 4.7-mile loop via the Rough Trail to one of the Gorge's largest arches (80+ ft span), through rhododendron tunnels and along a creek; steeper near the arch.
- Auxier Ridge / Double Arch / Courthouse Rock — a 5.5–7.3-mile loop with the most dramatic panoramic ridge views in the Gorge.
Challenging — for experienced hikers
- Rough Trail — lots of steep up-and-down if you link sections together.
- Indian Staircase — an unofficial, hands-on scramble with big payoff views.
Tips that matter here. Start early — popular trailheads fill by 9am on weekends. Wear real hiking shoes; the sandstone is slick when wet. Carry more water than you think (most trails have none). Check the weather — ridge overlooks are dangerous in storms. Leashed dogs are welcome in the national forest but not in Natural Bridge State Resort Park. And always check current Forest Service trail status — road and trail closures happen.
Where to stay near the trails
A cabin close to the trailheads means earlier starts and a hot tub at the finish. Ours put you minutes from the Gorge's best hikes — Simply Irresistible, Great Expectations, and Manor House are top picks. Browse all our cabins →