Bender Mountain Nature Preserve
Bender Mountain Nature Preserve offers a rewarding hiking experience with well-maintained trails and beautiful views of the Ohio River. The preserve is known for its rich native flora and challenging terrain, making it ideal for adventure seekers and nature lovers. While suitable for kids older than 6, it may be tough for small children due to steep and sometimes muddy paths. Dogs are welcome but should be cautious on the uphill trails. The area is not wheelchair accessible and features no specific dog park amenities.
Reviews
Bender Mountain Trail is a nature lover’s paradise! The trail offers breathtaking scenic views, serene surroundings, and a great hiking experience. However, it can be challenging for beginners due to steep terrain. Remember to wear sturdy shoes that are slip resistant.
Overall, a rewarding hike for those seeking adventure and stunning vistas!!
Such an incredible place to hike
The view is enchanting and will surely take your breath away!
Would not recommend with small Children under 6
Dogs tread with caution ⚠️ lots of up hills and deer
Isn’t the best for running
You will have an incredible hike!
Bring backpack with water 💦
My family enjoyed hiking the trail. From the Sisters of Charity Trail, we saw glimpses of the Ohio River. We parked at the guardrail at the bottom of the hill beside Sisters of Charity next to the “Do Not Enter” signs. The hiking is easy until you get to the trail up Bender Moutnain. The downside is the noise. Air traffic from CVG is constant. Every siren and train horn can be heard. Yet, the noise didn’t overwhelm conversation. We could still hear one another.
This trail offers a fantastic escape into the woods, especially for local residents. While the difficulty can vary depending on weather and chosen path, it’s a rewarding challenge. The stunning views of the Ohio River from the summit make the effort worthwhile. Highly recommended!
This is a good trail system considering the location. The staff and volunteers at Western Wildlife Corridor have done a great job at restoring a good portion of the woods, with honeysuckle and other invasive species removed and a huge variety of native species reintroduced. The spring ephemerals alone are amazing if you go at the right time. One of the few places you can see the woods as they should be.
There are many well maintained trails and most of the terrain is steep, it can get very muddy on the low trails after a rain. As with most good spots it can be a little too crowded for my taste at times, but that’s just a personal preference.
As a side note please don’t pick the native flowers, in many cases you’re effectively killing the plant before it’s had a chance to reproduce, let everyone enjoy them!