Review Date
May 9, 2012

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 1 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 1 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: nlleonard ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
TRAILS IS CLOSED. equestrians took the trail over sept 2010. we are waiting patiently (with our fingers crossed) for the new Big Hallow Trail to open in Mammoth Cave.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Green river lake sp, nolin lake has a new trail going in (not yet open as of this post), youngers creek in Elizabeth town, ben hawes in owensboro, ky, then lock 4 in gallatin TN

Review Date
December 9, 2010

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: lankyruss ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This was my first mountain bike trial, and although I struggled at first, I have grown to love it as I built my endurance. The front half is technically easy except for a tricky creek crossing, but the cardio aspect is still strong. The clearing at the halfway point allows you to take a gravel road back to the parking area. If you are exhausted at this point, I recommend it--the back half is much more difficult...and more rewarding.

Recommended Route:
I recommend either riding the full loop or turning around at the halfway point for a easier trip of similar length. The fire road (Buffalo) is full of long, boring climbs in gravel.

Review Date
July 5, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Squirrel Girl ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I started from the parking area and followed the Sal Hollow Trail. It was fast and flowy. Somewhere this trail was labeled "advanced" but the first 5-6 miles were "beginner." There were a few armored gulleys that only the newest newbies would think twice over. There were a couple smooth rocks in the trail, but very few.

The day I rode, there were some fallen trees not cleared. WATCH OUT FOR POISON IVY!! I wish I'd had Ivy Block ahead of time.

Around mile 6, where the map shows squiggles, the trail drops down into a deep valley. The trail is eroded and rocky. I would describe it as an "intermediate" downhill. Beginners would be unhappy, but it wasn't really an advanced downhill. Then you climb back up. At the top, I turned back on the Buffalo doubletrack for a fast trip back to the parking lot for a loop of 11 miles.

It was a beautiful trail.

Review Date
January 23, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: DRLanham ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
They have change this trail up some recently. The new route for Sal Hollow is very rocky in spots, and isn't broken in as of 12/2003. There are several sections that don't dry well in the winter, so keep pedaling lest your get stuck in the mud and get your feet wet. In general it is a great trail, but there is a steep rocky down hill section that is also steep and rocky coming back up. I did walk the bike back up that section, however some of you guys will be better up for the challenge. Not for beginners, unless you take the buffalo loop, which cuts out the difficult stuff.

Recommended Route:
Take the full Sal Hollow if you want the 13 miles, or if you want it easier or you are a beginner, take the Buffalo route.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
This is the best I know of in this area, and where I ride when visiting my parents in Bowling Green.

Review Date
September 23, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: LUCKY RED , from LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY

Summary:
THIS TRAIL IS THE BEST TRAIL I HAVE RIDDEN THIS RIDING SEASON. THE TRAIL WINDS THROUGH THE WILDERNESS (THROUGH AREAS WITH NO ROADS OR BUILDINGS NEARBY)AND THE TRAIL IS IN SUCH GREAT SHAPE IT WAS EASY TO FLY DOWN THE TRAIL AT 15-20 MPH AS REGISTERED ON MY COMPUTER FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. THIS TRAIL IS A MUST FOR RIDERS WITH HIGH LEVELS OF ENDURANCE AND A DESIRE FOR HIGH SPEED XC RIDING. NEVER FEAR 'O YE TECHNICAL DEVILS, THE LAST 2 MILES ARE ON STEEP ROUGH AND RUGGED HILLS WITH MANY ROCKS TO RIDE THROUGH/OVER. THIS TRAIL IS NOT A GOOD TRAIL FOR INTERMEDIATE RIDERS. THE TRAIL WINDS EIGHT MILES INTO THE NATIONAL PARK, AND IF YOU ARE HURT OR BREAKDOWN YOU WILL HAVE A VERY LONG WALK OUT. THERE ARE NO ALTERNATIVE ROUTES OUT OTHER THAN REVERSING YOUR COUSE OR FOLLOWING THE ONE FIRE ROAD WHICH WILL REDUCE YOUR RIDE BY ONLY 1/4. THIS TRAIL SHOULD BE RATED HIGHER THAN A FIVE. OH WELL. I CAN'T DO SO. SEE YOU AN THE NEXT RIDE.

Recommended Route:
FOLLOW DIRECTIONS GIVEN BY PREVIOUS REVIEWERS. THAT'S HOW I FOUND IT.
FOLLOW THE SAL HOLLOW TRAIL EIGHT MILES INTO THE FOREST, AND ONCE YOU ARRIVE AT THE SAL HOLLOW CAMPSITE, REVERSE COURSE AND RIDE OUT OR FOLLOW THE FIRE ROAD OUT.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
OTTER CREEK; FORT DUFFIELD; YOUNGERS' CREEK; CHEROKEE PARK.