Jeffreys Cliffs Lower Trails

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Features Cave · Fall Colors · Geological Significance · Historical Significance · Views

This route incorporates the best features of the Jefferys Cliffs area without climbing the most challenging hill or testing your fear of heights. Morgans Cave is one of the largest rock shelters in the area, and the Tobacco Cave Loop gives you a glimpse into the resourcefulness of previous landowners.

Only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There are no restroom facilities or water, so plan accordingly. Obeying the posted rules is critical for protecting the unique area and preserving public access.

From the parking lot at 715 Willamette Rd, Hawesville, KY 42348, the dirt trail starts a steady climb up with a short section that gets a tad steep before you get to the first fork. Hold right to do an out-and-back visit to Morgans Cave, an enormous rock shelter into the sandstone cliffs.

Ignore the spike in the trail profile that suggests you may have suddenly climbed the cliff because you're really checking it out from the underside. Continue back the way you came to the fork, then turn right to wrap around "Troop 36 Point".

Take the right-hand turn to Tobacco Cave, and hug the wall of the cliff until you reach the rock shelter with the old tobacco drying structure still standing. (Stay off to protect this historical artifact!) Continue around the end of the valley and follow the cliff wall around the opposite side to rejoin the connector trail near Mossy Gap.

If you want to check out the upper trails, you'll need to climb Mossy Gap to the ridgeline via the new steps and rope line. To complete the Lower Trail Loop, continue on past the Mossy Gap split hanging left, and pass through the field on the way out to the roadway and then follow that back to the parking lot.

Morgan's cave was used as a hide-out by Confederate forces during the Civil War.