Archs – Doug's Red

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Discover the Most Remarkable Natural Wonders

Explore the arches, bridges, and scenic outdoor destinations of Red River Gorge. Browse our featured locations to discover interesting formations, learn about each destination, and plan your next visit.

Rock Bridge

The only minus I see to Rock Bridge is the 5-mile gravel road to the…

Arch Grade

A+

Trail Difficulty

Class 1

Trip Miles

1.4

Red Byrd Arch

This is a Grade A+ arch (very large arch with large opening). This was my…

Arch Grade

Trail Difficulty

Class 1.3 to 2.0

Trip Miles

4.0 miles out & back

Princess Arch

The is a very popular Grade A arch (perfect arch formation with an opening greater…

Arch Grade

A+

Trail Difficulty

Class 1

Trip Miles

0.68

Needle’s Eye

Before 1953, there was no road past Natural Bridge State Park, but only a railroad…

Arch Grade

Trail Difficulty

Class 1.1

Trip Miles

1.16

Natural Bridge

Before 1953, there was no road past Natural Bridge State Park, but only a railroad…

Arch Grade

A+

Trail Difficulty

Class 1.1

Trip Miles

2.88

Moonshiner’s Arch

This is a very nice Grade A+ arch. The very short Class 1.0 trail starts…

Arch Grade

A+

Trail Difficulty

Class 1.0

Trip Miles

0.49

Cat’s Paw Arch

This is a nice grouping of arches and cave with Friendship Arch with a Grade…

Arch Grade

B+

Trail Difficulty

Class 2

Friendship Tube

This is a nice grouping of arches and cave with Friendship Arch with a Grade…

Arch Grade

Trail Difficulty

Class 2

Gray’s Arch

This is a very nice, very large Grade A+ arch on an official Class 1.1…

Arch Grade

A+

Trail Difficulty

Class 1.1

Trip Miles

2.4

Hopewell Bridge

This is a very nice Grade A/A+ arch. Like Whittleton Arch, it was created by…

Arch Grade

Trail Difficulty

Class 2

Trip Miles

1.4

Indian Arch loop

The entire loop trail is over 4 miles long and starts and ends and Buffalo…

Arch Grade

A+

Trail Difficulty

Class 1.1 to 3.3

Trip Miles

3.39

Star Gap Arch

Arch of Triumph is a Grade B arch (perfect formed arch with an opening less…

Arch Grade

A+

Trail Difficulty

Class 1.0 to 3.0

Trip Miles

2.5

Sky Bridge

The top of the Grade A++ (very large, perfectly formed arch) Sky Bridge can be…

Arch Grade

A+

Trail Difficulty

Class 1

Trip Miles

0.72

Angel’s Windows

I have gone to Angel Windows dozens of times over the years and did not…

Arch Grade

A-

Trail Difficulty

Class 2

Trip Miles

0.49

Adena Arch

The entire loop trail is over 4 miles long and starts and ends and Buffalo…

Arch Grade

B+

Trail Difficulty

Class 2

Whittleton Arch

This is a Grade A to A+ arch (very large arch, created by the collapse…

Arch Grade

A-

Trail Difficulty

Class 1

Trip Miles

2.58

Castle Arch

The is a Grade A arch (very large arch with irregular opening). Castle Arch has…

Arch Grade

Trail Difficulty

Class 3.2

Trip Miles

0.7

Arch of Triumph

Arch of Triumph is a Grade B arch (perfect formed arch with an opening less…

Arch Grade

B+

Trail Difficulty

Class 1

Trip Miles

0.37

Friendship Arch

This is a nice grouping of arches and cave with Friendship Arch with a Grade…

Arch Grade

Trail Difficulty

Class 2

Trip Miles

1.1

Hidden Arch

The is a popular Grade B arch (imperfect, pillar arch with less than 6-foot opening)…

Arch Grade

Trail Difficulty

Class 1.2

Trip Miles

2.1

Half Moon Arch

Half Moon Arch is a natural geological feature in the Red River Gorge area of…

Arch Grade

A-

Trail Difficulty

Class 2.0

Trip Miles

1.7 mile

Whites Branch Arch

This is a Grade A+ arch on an official Class 1.3 trial (well-marked, level, official…

Arch Grade

A+

Trail Difficulty

Class 1.3 to 3.0

Trip Miles

5.05

Whistling Arch

This is a Grade A arch on a very short, level Class 1.0 official trail…

Arch Grade

A-

Trail Difficulty

Class 1

Trip Miles

0.43

Turtleback Arches

The only minus I see to Rock Bridge is the 5-mile gravel road to the…

Arch Grade

Trail Difficulty

Class 1.2 to 2.0

Trip Miles

2.32

Timmon’s Arch

This is a popular Grade B arch (an arch that is less than 5’ high…

Arch Grade

Trail Difficulty

Class 4.2

Trip Miles

3.5

Sunset Arch

This is a nice Grade A- arch (a ragged hole through a rock wall). It…

Arch Grade

Trail Difficulty

Class 3.2

Trip Miles

4.16

Silvermine Arch

This is a popular Grade A arch on an official Class 1.1 trail (well-marked, nearly…

Arch Grade

Trail Difficulty

Class 1.3

Trip Miles

Doug grouping - Bill Patrick's arches

Explore Doug grouping

Bill Patrick's Arches - Sorted by grade

Explore Bill Patrick's Arches

Arch Grading Criteria

Explore Doug’s arch grading criteria, from large, impressive natural arches to smaller openings and formations.

Doug’s Arch Grading System Arch grades and cumulative counts

556 Total arches

Doug’s arch grading criteria, number of arches, cumulative count, definitions, and examples.
Arch Grade	Number of Arches	Cumulative Count	Definition	Examples
A+	7	7	Very large, perfect free standing arch or bridge	Indian Arch, Star Gap Arch, Natural Bridge, Sky Bridge
A	48	55	Large, not so perfect arch	Turtle Back Arch, Sunset Arch, Double Arch, Castle Arch
A−	54	109	You can walk through it	Angel Windows, Silvermine Arch
B+	58	167	Nice, but less than 6' hole	Arch of Triumph, Cat's Paw Arch, Timmons's Arch
B	137	304	Mostly pillar arches	Adenda Arch, Hidden Arch
B−	98	402	3' to 6' opening, but an arch in name only (AINO)	Thin Arch
C+	32	434	2' to 3' hole	—
C	110	544	1' to 2' hole	—
D	12	556	Is it really an arch???	—