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Scotts Gap Section - Jefferson Memorial Forest
4.7 ★★★★★ 91 Google reviews · Running trail in Louisville, Kentucky · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 3.5 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Scotts Gap Section - Jefferson Memorial Forest's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Wooded route passing through the Scott's Gap area and featuring kid-friendly hikes plus scenic hilltops.
What runners say about Scotts Gap Section - Jefferson Memorial Forest
“It's a steep hiking trail with beautiful scenery, especially once you get to the peaks of the hillier parts.”
This hike was very difficult with all the climbing up, but it was worth the walk!
Great find for me southwest of Louisville, Scott’s Gap has a very nice 3.5 mile trail along the crest and through the valley of Scott’s Gap. It is listed as strenuous as it contains about 5 or 6 uphill climbs, but my children ages 4-9 were able to complete the hike with a moderate amount of complaining.
Great Trail for Runners Scots Gap is a fun loop system with rolling hills, smooth footing, and plenty of shade. I knocked out 7.5 miles and loved the mix of climbs and flowing downhills—perfect for trail running at a steady pace without being too technical. Easy to stack loops for extra mileage.
It's a steep hiking trail with beautiful scenery, especially once you get to the peaks of the hillier parts. Make sure you bring water if you're planning to hike the whole thing though, It's a pretty long trail in it's entirety. Oh, and there's hardly any cell service here, so keep that in mind.
Trail conditions & character
“Great Trail for Runners Scots Gap is a fun loop system with rolling hills, smooth footing, and plenty of shade.”
“It's a steep hiking trail with beautiful scenery, especially once you get to the peaks of the hillier parts.”
“Scott's Gap now starts at the back of the Meandering Trail (rock trail at the parking lot).”
“Great Trail for Runners Scots Gap is a fun loop system with rolling hills, smooth footing, and plenty of shade.”
Plan your run at Scotts Gap Section - Jefferson Memorial Forest
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- Loop distance3.5 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitewildernesslouisville.org
- Phone(502) 368-5404
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Louisville
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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