Pros & cons
PROS
- Optional shortcut lets you tailor mileage without committing to the full loop
- Flowy tread with feature bypasses—ideal for mixed-skill groups
CONS
- Shortcut junction signage can be confusing if you’re aiming for the full loop
- Acorns in fall can be surprisingly slick on corners and descents
Park at Maple Springs Trailhead (north side of the Green River). Reach the loop via a 1-mile approach on the Maple Springs Trail. If the Green River Ferry is down, the drive around from the Visitor Center is much longer—check status before you go.
Multi-use trail with bikes; communicate and yield properly. Skip the trail when muddy or during freeze–thaw unless fully frozen. Watch for slick acorns in fall and a few narrow ridgeline sections where off-trail slips have consequences.
Overview
The North Loop is the mellower half of Mammoth Cave’s Big Hollow singletrack system—purpose-built for mountain biking but just as enjoyable on foot. It’s a 5.3-mile loop of dirt singletrack with gentle grades, plenty of shade, and a few playful features. Expect easy-to-moderate climbs, rolling ridgelines, and classic karst-country scenery: wooded hollows, sinkhole-dotted slopes, and seasonal drainages.
Distance and how to start
Plan for 5.3 miles on the loop itself. Most visitors access it from Maple Springs Trailhead via a 1-mile approach each way on the Maple Springs Trail to reach the Big Hollow junction. If you’re just sampling the system, the North Loop is the right call; a signed shortcut on the loop can trim roughly 1.1 miles if you’re short on time or energy.
What it’s like
Under tire or boot, the tread is mostly smooth dirt with embedded rocks and roots in spots. There’s a flat log bridge (with a clear bypass) and steady, easy-to-intermediate ups and downs. On the east side you’ll dip toward small drainages; on the west, expect rolling ridgeline travel. In fall, acorns can act like tiny marbles on corners—ride and hike accordingly.
Hike/bike etiquette and conditions
This is a multi-use trail shared with mountain bikers (and the Maple Springs approach allows horses, though horses do not use Big Hollow). Be ready to yield appropriately and communicate at passes. The trail drains well but can get muddy after rain; skip it when soft or during freeze–thaw cycles unless the ground is fully frozen—using it then ruts the tread. You’ll find the loop generally well signed, but the shortcut junction can be confusing; stay alert if your goal is to complete the full loop clockwise.
Logistics and navigation
Park at Maple Springs Trailhead on the north side of the Green River and take the signed approach. The Green River Ferry can be a time-saver when running; when it’s not, the detour drive is much longer, so check status before you go. For paper navigation, the detailed waterproof map sold at the Visitor Center is far more useful than the free brochure map if you’re linking loops.
Best time to hike
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temps and leaf-filtered light through the hardwoods—great for both hiking and riding. Summer is fully shaded but can be buggy and humid after rains; start early. In fall, mind those acorns on hardpack. After heavy rain or in shoulder-season freeze–thaw, give the trail a rest.
Add-ons and alternatives
If you want more challenge, tack on the Connector to the South Loop for rockier sections, optional drops and B-lines, and steeper grades. If you prefer to keep it mellow, stick with the North Loop’s flow and use the shortcut to tailor mileage.
Elevation
5.3 mi · 2 hrWhere it starts
37.2149, -86.1302Near Big Hollow North Loop
All places →All trails →
0.8 mi awaySal Hollow TrailQuiet, muddy backcountry through rolling woods and creeksModerate · 8.5 mi · 4 hr
0.9 mi awayMaple Springs CampgroundQuiet group-and-horse camp with hookups and backcountry trail accessCampground · Restroom
1 mi awayGood Spring Baptist Church and CemeteryPioneer-era church and quiet cemetery in a wooded hollow
2.1 mi awayGreen River Bluffs OverlookShaded bluff perch over the Green River's winding valleyScenic Viewpoint · Exhibit
2.2 mi awayMammoth Cave Picnic AreaShady, well-equipped picnic hub steps from the Visitor CenterPicnic Table · Restroom
2.3 mi awayGreen River Bluffs TrailShady ridge walk to river overlooks and a rocky, switchback plunge.Moderate · 1.5 mi · 1 hr
2.4 mi awayMammoth Dome Sink TrailShort, steep hike to a karst sinkhole with real cave context.Moderate · 2.2 mi · 1.5 hr
2.5 mi awayRiver Styx Spring TrailShort downhill to a cave-fed spring where the river meets the lightEasy · 0.4 mi · 30 min
