Bourbon and derby. The state of Kentucky is often most known for its American whiskey and horse racing, but among the Bluegrass State’s barrel-aged liquor, equestrian extravaganzas, and one of America’s friendliest cities, there are also picturesque mountains, lakes, and parks with ample opportunities for affordable outdoor adventure in a mountain biker’s haven.
Sandwiched between the popular cities Lexington, also known as America’s “horse capital,” and Louisville, lies a town riddled with bike routes and bridges that serve as a cyclist’s paradise. Stamping Ground, Kentucky, is chock full of back roads, trails, and even a historical covered bridge perfect for exploration on foot or on two wheels.
Even the Scott County town’s slogan — “Preserving the past preparing for the future” — encapsulates the story of Stamping Ground and the combination of historical significance and contemporary appeal the Central Kentucky town has to offer. With an annual cycling festival attracting hordes of cyclists each year and plenty of rugged woodsy trails to challenge (and excite) anyone with a mountain bike, Stamping Ground is the perfect place to plan your next adventure.
Exploring Stamping Ground on two wheels
Before cyclists were making tracks in the dirt with their bike wheels, Stamping Ground was named after the sound of buffalo trampling the ground beneath them in pursuit of drinking water from nearby springs. In fact, herds of buffalo once roamed through Kentucky, leaving a lasting mark on the land with massive herds of hooves traveling and gathering at what was eventually named Buffalo Springs, in the accurately-named Stamping Ground. Years later, many of the same trails once blazed by buffalo are utilized by cyclists…