Plus, Newk’s Eatery plans to return to Lexington.
 
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Today’s Forecast

75º | 3% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:41 a.m. | Sunset 7:07 p.m.
 

🍂 Unbe-leaf-able hikes

Hiking and nature walk guide for Lexington
A women hikes near a creek at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary.

Raven Run offers a diverse set of trails to explore. | Photo courtesy of @VisitLEX

There’s something about autumn that makes us want to get out and explore Lexington. The cooler air is great hiking weather, and it’s the perfect activity for peeping the fall colors. If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the leaves before they hit the ground, these trails make a scenic trek.

Note: We recommend checking park websites before visiting to confirm hours and trail conditions.

Key: Easy = 🥾| Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾

Lexington

Raven Run, Green Trail | 3885 Raven Run Way
  • Difficulty: 🥾🥾
  • Length: 2-mile loop
  • Wheelchair accessible: Discovery + Freedom Trails
  • Pet-friendly: No
If you’re looking for a true hiking oasis, look no further than Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. Take the Flower Bowl trail to view some native flora, or our favorite, the Green Trail for the quickest route to the Kentucky River overlook.

McConnell Springs, 416 Rebmann Ln.
  • Difficulty: 🥾
  • Length: 0.6-mile loop
  • Wheelchair accessible: Yes
  • Pet-friendly: No
If you’re looking to get away without actually getting away, this is the perfect option for you. This paved trail is short + sweet, yet secluded enough that you forget the Distillery District is just minutes away.

A bird's eye view of The Pinnacles.

Just one of the many vast views you can experience at The Pinnacles.

|

Photo courtesy of @drob12985

Berea

The Pinnacles, Eagles Nest Trail | 2047 Big Hill Rd.
  • Difficulty: 🥾🥾
  • Length: 1.8 miles out and back
  • Wheelchair accessible: No
  • Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
Take a quick drive down I-75 to enjoy the beauty that are The Pinnacles of Berea. With an elevation of 1,537 feet, hikers will have sweeping views of the East Pinnacles atop Indian Fort Mountain.

Stanton

Red River Gorge, Auxier Ridge Loop | 3451 Sky Bridge Rd.
  • Difficulty: 🥾🥾🥾
  • Length: 6-mile loop
  • Wheelchair accessible: No
  • Pet-friendly: Leashed dogs allowed outside of the Natural Bridge
The Red River Gorge is the hiking staple of Central Kentucky, featuring 10 trails of varied length and difficulty. Our favorites are the Double Arch, Auxier Ridge + Courthouse Rock trifecta, where visitors can enjoy leaf-peeping in the fall or try out their rock-climbing skills at Courthouse Rock.
City Guides are presented by VisitLEX.
Keep trekking: more hikes
Asked
 

What is most important to you when choosing a hike?
A. Level of difficulty
B. Time to complete/number of miles
C. Unmatched views
D. It’s all about the hiking location
 
 
Events
Wednesday, Oct. 9
  • From The Archive: An LGBTQ History of Kentucky | Wednesday, Oct. 9 | 6-8 p.m. | William T. Young Library | Free | Assistant Executive Director Josh Porter dives into the Faulkner Morgan Archive to share stories from Kentucky’s LGBTQ+ history.
  • Nerd Nite Lexington | Wednesday, Oct. 9 | 7-9 p.m. | Blue Stallion Brewing Co. | Free | Sip, network, and learn while local experts lead discussions at this donation-based event.
  • Thomas Ian Nicholas | Wednesday, Oct. 9 | 8 p.m. | Chevy Chase Inn | Free | The actor and musician — seen in movies like “Rookie of the Year” and “American Pie” — rocks the stage.
Thursday, Oct. 10
Friday, Oct. 11
Saturday, Oct. 12
  • Comic Surge 2024 | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 10 a.m. | Jessamine County Public Library, Nicholasville | Free | Comic lovers can meet superheroes and browse vendors as they indulge in foods for sale — costumes welcome.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Announced
  • Southern-style restaurant Newk’s Eatery plans to return to the Lexington area, bringing three to five new restaurants to Central Kentucky. The new locations are expected to start opening in 2026. The fast-casual chain previously operated in the area, but closed these locations two years ago. (Lexington Herald Leader)
Traffic
  • Expect lane closures on I-75 + I-64 between the Paris Pike and Newtown Pike exits starting tonight. Nightly construction will take place from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., ending the morning of Saturday, Oct. 12 as part of the I-75 widening project.
Cause
  • It’s time to start collecting your pop tabs — RMHC of the Bluegrass is hosting its second Pop Tab Palooza. On Thursday, Nov. 7, from 3 to 6 p.m., locals can drop off their tabs and enjoy free pizza, activities, and house tours. See how pop tabs help RMHC.
Try This
  • Want to create your own gourd-geous fall decoration? The Melodeon is hosting a pumpkin painting night on Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets for the 21+ event are $20 and include supplies and a specialty cocktail.
Edu
  • Eastern Kentucky University’s Aviation program has joined Allegiant Air’s Accelerate Pilot Pathway Program — an initiative designed to help students find pilot jobs at major airlines. The partnership will offer EKU students with additional training opportunities and professional skills.
Plan Ahead

  • The 33rd Arbor Day celebration is taking place at the Aboretum on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The celebration of trees will feature activities, presenters, and attendees can branch out and receive free entry to the Kentucky Children’s Garden.
Award
  • Fayette County has named aviation instructor Nathan Hoskins as its Air and Space Force Teacher of the Year. Hoskins teaches at Eastside Technical Academy where he uses FAA compliant simulators to help future pilots acquire skills at a young age. (LEX 18)
Biz
  • Want more eyes on your business but can’t figure out how to get them? We’ll let you in on a secret… Our self-service advertising portal is designed to help you reach our local audience through listings, banner ads, and articles. Get started.
Drink
Finance
  • What do bourbon and financial planning have in common? According to American Trust Wealth, quite a bit. From mixing the right mash to graceful aging, there are more parallels between the two industries the closer you look. Take a deep dive into American Trust Wealth’s “From Grains to Gains” approach.*†
Eat
  • Dig into an intimate four-course brunch at Chez Lyndon. Classic bites like Kentucky fried chicken salad, omelets, and mixed fruit crepes are available on Saturdays + Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Snag a reservation on OpenTable or call 859-420-2683 to secure your spot.*
†Not FDIC Insured | No Bank Guarantee | May Lose Value. Disclosures.
 
Outdoors

An accessible explorer

Lexington Parks & Recreation will debut its Action Trackchair
An electric wheelchair with conveyor-belt style wheels designed to be used in all terrains.
The Action Trackchair will make outdoor fun more inclusive in Lexington. | Photo via Lexington Parks & Recreation
Get ready to explore — Lexington Parks & Recreation is preparing to launch a pilot program for an Action Trackchair in spring 2025. This all-terrain wheelchair will come to Raven Run Nature Sanctuary where it will allow people with mobility needs to explore unpaved and natural trails.

Funding for the trackchair program was provided by the city’s Urban County Council as an effort to make green spaces more accessible. The device will also benefit the city’s Therapeutic Recreation program, which offers activities for locals with disabilities and special needs.

During the pilot program, the Parks & Recreation department will provide an ADA guide to help users and a map that shows which trails are accessible with the chair. The department hopes to use feedback from the program to further expand access to Lexington’s parks.
The Buy
 
It’s the last day of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days. Shop lightning deals that just went live:

⚡ Get an $800 ionic hair dryer for under $100, thanks to an 88% discount.
⚡ Snag a wireless Apple CarPlay converter for nearly 90% off.
⚡ This usually $240 ultra-fast iPhone charger is 93% off this morning.
⚡ Throw out your tired non-stick cookware + get 62% off three non-stick pans rated 4.7 stars.
⚡ This set of 24 glass food storage containers is 56% off.
⚡ These best-selling floating Halloween candles are 47% off.
 
 
The Wrap
 
Michael Beausoleil

Today’s edition by:
Michael
From the editor
Good morning, Lexington. It feels like the days keep getting shorter, but I definitely don’t mind spending time inside listening to my favorite music. I think I might venture to a local record store this weekend and pick up some albums that will help me get in tune with this fall weather.
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