Winding through the rolling heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass region, the Old Richmond Road and Grimes Mill Road scenic byway offers 6.8 miles of pastoral beauty that feels worlds away from the everyday. This state-designated scenic route traces a path through some of central Kentucky’s most treasured countryside, where stone fences line the roadway and thoroughbred horses graze beneath centuries-old trees.

Along the drive, travelers pass historic farmsteads, weathered tobacco barns, and creek crossings shaded by towering sycamores. The route follows the gentle contours of the land, dipping through wooded hollows and rising to open ridgelines with sweeping views of the surrounding horse country. Grimes Mill itself stands as a quiet reminder of the region’s agrarian heritage, and the surrounding landscape has changed remarkably little over the generations.

Spring brings dogwood blossoms and emerald pastures, while autumn transforms the corridor into a canopy of gold and crimson. Allow roughly 30 minutes for a leisurely drive, longer if you plan to stop for photos at the many pulloffs along the way.

This is Kentucky at its most timeless — a short drive that lingers in memory long after the road ends.

Explore Nearby

• Fort Boonesborough State Park — State Park in Kentucky
• Waveland State Historic Site — State Park in Kentucky
• Colville Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Kentucky
• Switzer Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Kentucky
• Daniel Boone National Forest — National Forest in Kentucky