The Cave Country Trail Town Weekend, September 21-23, is a celebration of south central Kentucky communities working together to provide everything a hiker, bicyclist or paddler could need for a great trail experience.
“We call this adventure tourism,” said Helen Siewers, executive director of Cave Country Trails. “There are easy events for beginners and families, and rides and hikes and river trips for those who want a challenge. We invite folks to make plans now to be in Cave Country for the Trail Town Weekend.”
Here are some of the events scheduled…
4th Annual Mammoth-on
Mammoth Cave National Park will be home to the Friends of Mammoth Cave’s 4th Annual Mammoth-on, America’s only cave walk, trail hike, and bicycle triathlon, on Sunday, September 23, starting at 8 a.m.
The Mammoth-on event will begin at the Lodge at Mammoth Cave with a ranger-led hike through Mammoth Cave’s Historic Tour route followed by a three-mile unescorted woodland hike. The final leg of the Mammoth-on is a self-paced bike ride along the gravel Mammoth Cave Railroad Hike and Bike Trail to Park City. The ride is a maximum of 19 miles round trip, but participants are encouraged to ride for as long as they may feel up to.
Participant numbers for the Mammoth-on are limited and early registration is encouraged. Pre-registration rate is $30 per individual or $45 for two; ages 12 and under are free. On-site registration is $40 per individual or $55 for two. Participants can register at Active.com and find out more information about the event by visiting the Friends of Mammoth Cave Facebook Page, Facebook/MammothFriends, or by calling at 270-758-2152.
Cave Country’s Trail Town Weekend
Several local communities will be hosting their own trail events celebrating the variety of trail opportunities in Kentucky’s Cave Country over the September 21-23 weekend.
Cave City will be holding Cave City Proud Days on Friday, September 21, with a 5:30 p.m. 5K Glow Run through the downtown area. Register online at www.mammothcavefun.com/TrailTownWeekend or in person at the downtown Cave City Gazebo on the day of the event.
On Saturday, September 22, Cave City and Horse Cave are hosting a Cave Country Pedal bicycle event at 8 am with bike routes suitable for all levels of bike experience. All rides will start and finish at the cave City Convention Center. Participants may pre-register at Active.com or on the day of the event at the Cave City Convention Center. Please call 270-758-2152 for more information.
On Saturday, September 22, the town of Brownsville will be holding a Cave Country Paddle event between 8 a.m. and noon in which participants will canoe or kayak the Green River from Houchin Ferry within Mammoth Cave National Park to the Brownsville Boat Ramp, a distance of approximately 5 miles. Participants must park at the Brownsville City Park Boat Ramp and will be shuttled by Green River Canoeing to the starting location. Participants may bring their own paddling equipment ($10 shuttle), or rent a canoe or kayak at a reduced rate ($25). Reservations are recommended and can be obtained by calling 270-773-5712.
For more details on registration and fees for all of the events during Cave Country’s Trail Town Weekend, please visit the Caveland Marketing Association’s event website, www.mammothcavefun.com/trail-town-weekend.html.