Always the first Sunday in the month from March
through November Sunday at 1:30 p.m.Monthly Guided Hike
into the Highlands Nature Sanctuary
Always the first Sunday in the month from March
through November Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
No fee. Registration not necessary. Meet at Etawah Woods parking lot.
Each month, a leisurely guided hike is led into one of the Sanctuary’s many preserves. Although all the preserves listed above are located along the same river valley, each one boasts its own unique and compelling beauty. In all of the preserves, visitors will see fern-shrouded rock formations, high vertical cliffs, and vistas of the Rocky Fork Creek as it winds its way through a narrow gorge. The naturalist leading the hike will relay the unfolding story of the exciting experiment in nature preservation taking place in the Highlands, and will tell many an interesting tale regarding the region’s rare and endangered plant species. If you are considering a first-time visit to the Highlands, we recommend that you choose one of these monthly hikes as your introduction. And bring your friends along!
All of the trails except Barrier Ridge are on primarily level landscape. However, the paths themselves are narrow and present uneven walking. Most trails have only one flight of stairs. Etawah Woods affords the smoothest and shortest hiking of the preserves listed above. The hikes will go on rain or shine, so don’t let the clouds stop you. Some of our most hauntingly beautiful hikes have been in inclement weather. When the mist rises in the valley, the Rocky Fork Gorge comes alive! Bring drinking water, a pair of binoculars if you have them, and your favorite walking stick.
Regardless of the chosen destination, all hikes begin at the Etawah Woods, a 20-car parking lot located on Cave Rd. just past 7 Caves when turning directly off of Rt. 50. Registration is not necessary. For more detailed directions, please see the website or give us a call. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time so that you can arrive early. The departure time is at 1:30 p.m. We don’t want to accidentally leave you behind!
If you would like more information on any of the monthly hikes or their chosen destinations, please call 937-365-1935. The levels of difficulty described in the heading above are written from the perspective of our average visitor, recognizing that most of us don’t "hit the trail" on a regular basis, despite our best intentions. If you are physically active, you will find all of the trails to be no problem.
For more specific information, see www.highlandssanctuary.org.