Hematite Lake Trail is a 2.4 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Kuttawa, Kentucky that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
February 7, 2021February 7, 2021Nice quiet hike with a pretty lake view. Great for bird lovers or those wanting a post-hike picnic at the nearby tables.
January 30, 2021Easy hike, pretty views of the lake, pretty standard, low traffic right now, saw some people with kids and dogs. Good wildlife, saw new plants, a woodpecker, a lot of waterfowl, and traces of other critters that had been through there.
January 18, 2021January 18, 2021Great hike at LBL.
January 17, 2021Beautiful views of the lake, very peaceful and not heavily trafficked when we went, but that was in the slow season. Overall not too challenging but a great hike in land between the lakes
January 6, 2021This is a beautiful loop trail that features two long sections of lakeside trail and a 0.4-mile-long boardwalk through the creek network that feeds into Hematite Lake. The forest along the lakeside areas is absolutely gorgeous. With big layoffs, little elevation gain and straightforward wayfinding, this is a favorite hike for senior-age tourists, dog walkers and families. Note: If you plan on completing the entire loop, there is a short section of stone pavers that will need to be crossed to pass by the water above the dam. Directions and landmarks (counterclockwise route): At mile 0.7, turn right to head up the hill for the new trail area. (The old trail is closed for restoration.) At mile 0.8, you reach a brand new boardwalk. At my 1.0, at the far end of the loop, you reach the creek delta. At mile 1.1, your reach the other side of the boardwalk. At mile 2.3, you close the loop. The southern side of the loop includes several muddy areas; you may need to balance across short sections of makeshift log bridges. You will also have to walk across the stepping stones to cross above the dam/levee area. Other than these issues, this hike would have been a fantastic trail for those with moderate accessibility concerns.
January 3, 2021January 1, 2021Rained for two days and was real muddy. The last part over the waterfall had an inch to two incomes of water running over it. Prepare to have wet shoes.
December 26, 2020December 16, 2020We loved this trail! It was a cold winter day and we were the only humans in sight. There are interesting plants in the water, a fun water stepping stone portion, a nice extended wooden boardwalk / bridge for a portion of the hike, and due to the minerals, the water is very interesting in parts! Some inclines and declines but nothing super intense. Mostly smooth sailing.
December 13, 2020Clear and open trail. Well marked. Nice new wooden trail built up over the boggy area
December 12, 2020Really nice trail around the lake. Brand new boardwalk
December 6, 2020So pretty. Can’t wait to see it when the water lilies are blooming!
November 29, 2020Hematite is my local go-to trail when I want to get outside. Great trail for all skill levels, kids, and pets. Lots of opportunities to see wildlife. There's several picnic tables and fire pits, but no pavilion or other shelter. One outdoor restroom is available. The lake is great for kayaking, too. Lots of slag (small blue rocks) in the area from the old iron ore furnaces.
November 29, 2020Slight changes in elevation keeps this lake side trail interesting. The boardwalk over the wet lands at the lake’s shallow end are new and allows you to enjoy the wetlands with dry boots. Great for any age and dogs on leash.
November 24, 2020Great walk on a cold day in November. Look out for tree roots hiding under the leaves. The concrete lilies were neat and the long boardwalk halfway through the hike is were lovely. Will go back. Easy walk for families and dogs. Take a bottled water, the hike seems long at 2.3 miles.
November 22, 2020Nice, easy, family friendly, trail. beautiful views of the lake and a nice elevated boardwalk.
November 21, 2020Short and a little crowded, but good family friendly afternoon trail. Very pretty around the lake.
November 21, 2020Very nice! Rocks on one side, trees on the other. Hilly but overly strenuous. The new boardwalk is fabulous!
November 11, 2020Unique walkways. Mostly easy but a couple of hills to get the heart rate up. Picnicking at the trail head Clean outhouse
October 31, 2020The weather was great and the trail was spectacular!
October 26, 2020Beautiful trail, only saw about 10 other people. Loved the long boardwalk. We Were so fascinated by the little blue stones that we did about an hour of research on our way home.
October 25, 2020October 17, 2020October 14, 2020We thought the boardwalk was ABSOLUTELY beautiful, and we're sad to see so many mature downed trees, we assume from the ice storm of '09. The trail could possibly be more beautiful if they scooted those off the trail a little bit. We did enjoy chilling on a few giant log segments however.
October 11, 2020October 11, 2020Beautiful and diverse trail! Boardwalks are brand new. Little muddy after a rain but mostly shady too.
September 30, 2020Great! New boardwalk took care of most of the muddy areas.
September 29, 2020Beautiful and well maintained trail. Very popular with hikers, so it's busy. One of my favorite easy hikes in LBL.
