Wonderful. Just like the Natural Bridge area, this section of the Red River Gorge is easily accessible. .. just off of the highway(though a little farther and on a well maintained gravel road for the last part). Also, just like the Natural Bridge hike, you get wonderful vistas for minimal effort/distance. Spring 2011: We hiked to Courthouse Rock to Double Arch and then(because we were tired) took the Auxier Branch Trail back to the gravel road and our parking area. You could just hike to Courthouse Rock, or part way to Courthouse Rock to enjoy the beautiful vistas. Pack a lunch and just sit and enjoy! Not very strenuous if you just stay on the ridge. The hike from Courthouse Rock to Double Arch is a bit harder and follows a stream for part of the way. We decided that although it made for a harder hike(husband was carrying baby on his back), we would still go bacxk to double arch. While, Natural Bridge is pretty specatcular(for it’s size and impact), double arch is much more solitary, yet also very pretty – it reminded us more of some of the arches we visited in Utah. If you don’t want to backtrack, then take the Auxier Branch Trail back – after you hike up the hill/steps(something between .5 and 1 mile I think?), it’s pretty much a gentle downhill on a gravel road – not very scenic, but it will get you back to food and water and a bathroom quicker!(There are pit toilets at the beginning of the trailhead to Courthouse Rock.
