Worth the Drive: 10 hiking spots in and around Louisville to explore this summer

With the weather continuously getting warmer, it's the perfect time to get outside for a good workout and some physical activity.

For many, a seven-mile run or a three-mile swim isn't the most enjoyable form of exercise, but there are plenty of alternative options. Hiking is one form of exercise that can be fun and comes with physical and mental benefits, according to the National Park Service, ranging from a healthier heart to improved mood and decreased stress.

Fortunately, there are plenty of local hiking options for those in the Louisville area. Here are some to try this summer:

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1. Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

2075 Clermont Road, Clermont

Distance from downtown Louisville: 25 miles, or half an hour.

Recommended trails: Forest Giants Trail, Lake Nevin Loop and the Sun and Shade Loop.

About: Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest was founded in 1929 and stretches over 16,000 acres. Established by Isaac W. Bernheim with the goal of "connecting people with nature," the nonprofit has focused on protecting the wilderness and offering engaging experiences, according to Bernheim's website.

There are more than 40 miles of trails at Bernheim ranging in difficulty, accessibility, length and elevation. Easier trails include The Arboretum Loop and The Nursery Loop, while moderate trails consist of the Iron Ore Hill Loop and Guerilla Hollow Loop.

The most difficult trail, The Millennium Trail, is recommended for experienced hikers only and stretches nearly 14 miles through thick forests, valleys and streams. An interactive trail map can be found here.

In addition to the countless hiking trails are engaging activities or "must-sees" on the grounds. The Forest Giants is a large-scale art installation completed in 2019 by Thomas Dambo using natural and repurposed materials, which has also inspired a book series. Dambo has created multiple trolls across the U.S. and internationally.

Bernheim also has a "Playcosystem," a 17-acre natural playground; a "Canopy Tree Walk," which hovers 75 feet above the ground and extends into the forest canopy for a scenic view; a Visitor's Center with a cafe and gift shop; and a "Sensory Garden" focused on the five senses and providing a place of inclusion.

2. Blackacre Conservancy and Nature Preserve

3200 Tucker Station Road, Louisville

Distance from downtown Louisville: Around 20 miles, or 30 minutes.

Recommended trails: Waterfall Trail and Sunrise Trail.

About: The Blackacre Conservancy and Nature Preserve is a 280-acre nature preserve featuring a historic 1800s homestead, a community garden and opportunities for learning and field trips. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the preserve's farm animals and bring plenty of carrots and apples to feed them, help out in the community garden, tour the Presley Tyler House or attend one of the many summer camps and classes offered.

There are a variety of trails to choose from at Blackacre as well including the Sunset Trail, the Dragonfly Pond Trail and the Tyler's Trace Trail. Many trails are shorter in distance and are easy to access from the preserve's parking lots.

3. Cherokee Park

745 Cochran Hill Road, Louisville.

Distance from downtown Louisville: Around 5 miles, or under 15 minutes.

Recommended trails: Scenic Loop Trail.

About: Cherokee Park is a 400-plus acre park in east Louisville designed in 1891 by Frederick Law Olmsted as part of a three-park system along with Iroquois and Shawnee parks, according to the City of Louisville. The main feature is a walking loop for both vehicles and recreational users with side trails scattered throughout the park.

The park also features amenities like a golf course, dog park and archery ranges.

4. Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve

12501 Harmony Landing Lane, Goshen

Distance from downtown Louisville: Around 20 miles, or 40 minutes.

Recommended trails: Watershed Trail and Frog's Leap Trail.

About: The Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve is a 170-acre preserve with more than nine miles of trails ranging from easy to moderate. The property was gifted to Virginia Creasey Mahan and Howard Mahan as a wedding present in 1921 and the two created the Mahan Nature Preserve on the property in 1975.

Guests can visit the Mahan Manor, originally built in the early 1800s as a two-story log cabin; the Nature Center, the primary educational building with a good view for bird watching; the two-acre Woodland Garden or the 15,000 square-foot playground. Also offered are various events, field trips and educational programming opportunities.

5. E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park

3000 Freys Hill Road, Louisville

Distance from downtown Louisville: Around 15 miles, or 30 minutes.

Recommended trails: Goose Creek Nature Trail and Fitness Trail.

About: Tom Sawyer State Park spreads over 550 acres with four hiking trails and a variety of recreational activities, according to Kentucky State Parks. The Fitness Trail is one mile with ten exercise stations while the other three provide a more scenic experience.

The park also has an outdoor archery range, a large pool and splash park, a BMX track open to the public when races aren't taking place, a dog park, pickleball and tennis courts and more.

6. Fort Duffield Historic Park Trails

16706 Abbotts Beach Road, West Point

Distance from downtown Louisville: Around 25 miles, or 40 minutes.

Recommended trails: Fort Duffield Loop.

About: The Fort Duffield Park and Historic Site is a 175-acre park home to Kentucky's Fort Duffield, built-in 1861 with ties to the Civil War and on the National Register of Historic Places and the American Battlefield Trust Heritage Sites. Various hiking options also take visitors along the back side of the fort and downhill trails for mountain biking.

The park also has a Memorial Cemetery, where members of the 9th Michigan Infantry were laid to rest after a measles epidemic struck the camp and pneumonia developed as a complication for many of the soldiers.

7. Harrods Creek Park

6530 Montero Drive, Prospect

Distance from downtown Louisville: Around 15 miles, or 30 minutes.

Recommended trails: Four trails marked by color.

About: Harrods Creek Park, located in Prospect, spans nearly 110 acres with around four miles of walking trails, according to the City of Prospect. There are four trailheads, each marked with a different color — blue, red, orange or green — and varying in elevation gain, length and difficulty. The red and green trails are more difficult but are also more secluded for those who enjoy their privacy or have a reactive pet.

The park is also home to a diverse ecosystem with visitors able to spot anything from turkey to white-tailed deer. Visitors are able to hike, birdwatch and fish at Harrods Creek with easy access to a kayak and canoe launch for those who prefer to take in the scenery by water.

8. Hoosier National Forest

811 Constitution Ave., Bedford, Indiana

Distance from downtown Louisville: About 40 miles, or 45 minutes.

Recommended trails: Ted T. Turtle Trail, German Ridge Lake Trail and Saddle Lake Trail.

About: The Hoosier National Forest, located in southern Indiana, stretches more than 200,000 acres and is made up of four primary sections. Operated by the U.S. Forest Service, the park features more than 260 miles of hiking trails as well as opportunities for mountain biking, horseback riding and camping.

The hiking trails are perfect for a day trip or overnight backpacking, which is allowed in certain areas of the park. Trail lengths vary from less than a mile to nearly 50 miles. Because hunting is permitted in the park, visitors are encouraged to wear orange during hunting seasons.

The forest is also home to some "popular and interesting sites," according to the U.S. Forest Service website. These include a series of caves, which are prohibited from entering from Sept. 1 to April 30 annually as they are home to endangered bat species; the Historic Ridge Lookout Tower, constructed in 1939 and on the National Historic Lookout Register; the Rickenbaugh House, built in 1874 and on the National Register of Historic Places; and Sundance Lake, a 5 acre lake with accessible fishing piers.

9. Iroquois Park

5216 New Cut Road, Louisville

Distance from downtown Louisville: Around 10 miles, or 20 minutes.

Recommended trails: Iroquois Park Overlook.

About: Iroquois Park is a 725-acre park in south Louisville created in 1891, according to the National Park Service. The most popular hike is the Iroquois Park Overlook, where guests can take in the city's scenery from above.

The park also features the Iroquois Amphitheater, a disc golf course, archery and horseriding trails.

10. Jefferson Memorial Forest

11311 Mitchell Hill Road, Louisville

Distance from downtown Louisville: 15 to 20 miles, or 30 minutes.

Recommended trails: Scott's Gap Loop Trail, Mitchell Hill Lake Trail and Horine Reservation Red Trail.

About: Jefferson Memorial Forest offers those in the city a rural and scenic escape within a half-hour drive of downtown. The approximately 6,600-acre forest has more than 35 miles of hiking trails, horseback riding trails, fishing, tent camping and more, according to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. Established in 1945 as a 1,500-acre park, Jefferson Memorial Forest has since grown into one of the largest municipally-owned urban forests in the U.S. and Louisville's largest nature preserve, according to Wilderness Louisville.

The forest is home to over 275 species of plants, including the state-endangered narrow-leaf bluecurls and rare lady's tresses. More than 32 species of amphibians, 135 birds, 37 reptiles, and 34 mammals have been spotted there as well. Areas of the park include the Welcome Center, the Horine Reservation, the Tom Wallace Recreation Area, the Paul Yost Recreation Area and the Scott's Gap Section.

The Paul Yost Recreation Area is used for both hiking and horseback riding while other areas are designated for other things. The Scott's Gap section is a lesser-known area of the forest good for birdwatching or hiking, while the Horine Reservation is known for more strenuous trails and camping facilities.

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This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 10 scenic trails and hikes in and near Louisville