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Distance:
1.9 Miles / 3.1 km
Type:
Out-and-Back
Difficulty:
Moderate
Time to Hike:
~57 minutes
Features:
Surface Type:
Dirt
Park:
Mammoth Cave National Park
Town:
Brownsville, Kentucky
Directions:
37.155496, -86.160648
Added:
May 03, 2018
Updated:
August 15, 2020

The Cedar Sink Trail at Mammoth Cave National Park in Smiths Grove, Kentucky is a moderate 1.9 mile out-and-back (lollipop) trail that leads out to a massive sinkhole, which is technically a karst window - a sinkhole where a subterrainian river emerges above ground before heading right back underground.

This trail is one of the more popular surface day hikes at Mammoth Cave National Park since you get unique views on this trail; however, if you arrive on a weekday, you can usually beat the crowds.

The trail starts off winding through a cedar forest before heading into a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees for about 0.7 miles before you hit the loop. Upon hitting the loop, if you stay to the right, you'll uncover more unique vistas along the way than heading left.

Lookout points: The first lookout point is situated high above the Karst Window - with views of the water below and an information sign. Continuing further down the trail, you'll find a metal staircase - before heading down the staircase, take a right-hand turn to find yet another lookout point high above the sinkhole. Head down the metal staircase and hike over to the river itself, further down inside of the sinkhole. Hike along another 0.1 to 0.2 miles or so to two more lookout points - one sits above the river and another lies down a spur trail behind the lookout point over the river. Make sure to head down each spur trail to make sure you're not missing any views of the sinkhole as there are at least 5 good lookout points.

Cave Entrance: When you hike down to the river, look up along the cliff side of the sinkhole and you'll notice a large dark hole with a metal grate covering it - this is an entrance to the underground cave system which likely connects with Mammoth Cave.

Wildflowers: This is one of the best trails at Mammoth Cave National Park to find wildflowers in the Spring. The usual flowers you'll see are Fire Pink, Celandine Poppy, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Sessile Trillium, and Violets.

Karst Windows: Karst Windows give a glimpse into a much larger hydraulic system that lies hundreds of feet underground. And eventually the water will surface for the last time and be deposited into the Green River.

Difficulty: The elevation gain/loss on this trail is not much, but for the average hiker this trail is more moderate due to the steep elevation gain and sheer number of stairs you have to climb to get in and out of the sinkhole area.

Poison Ivy: Much like the rest of the surface trails at Mammoth Cave National Park, this trail has plenty of poison ivy to the sides of the trail. Be sure to stay on the trail.

Pets: Dogs are allowed on this trail.

Explore 6 trails near Brownsville, KY
  1. Parking

    37.155496, -86.160648
  2. Main Trailhead

    37.155487, -86.160441
  3. Wildflowers

    37.153192, -86.159364
    Wildflowers
  4. 1st lookout point above the sinkhole

    37.148342, -86.154639
    1st lookout point above the sinkhole
  5. Celandine Poppy

    37.148589, -86.153892
    Celandine Poppy
  6. 2nd lookout

    37.148542, -86.153594
    2nd lookout
  7. Another lookout point above the sinkhole

    37.148689, -86.154036
    Another lookout point above the sinkhole
  8. 3rd lookout. Notice the cave entrance with gate

    37.148808, -86.154258
    3rd lookout. Notice the cave entrance with gate
  9. 4th lookout

    37.149525, -86.153961
    4th lookout
  10. 5th lookout

    37.150069, -86.153817
    5th lookout
Explore other trail routes for this hike, added by the MyHikes Community via Trip Reports.
No community routes found. To add your own route as a Community Route for this Trail guide, please leave a Trip Report with a GPX file on this Trail.

Hazards

Poison Ivy/Oak

Seasons

All
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145 '

Total Change
225 '

Ascent
230 '

Descent

Photo Albums

2 Trip Reports

No Star-Ratings
Write-up by:
Admin user profile picture
1.9 miles / 3.1 km
Trail added
May 03, 2018
Hiked on
April 29, 2018
Updated on
August 15, 2020
1.9 miles / 3.1 km
April 29, 2018
Hiking

Weather Forecast

In Brownsville, KY

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