The Old Frankfort Pike: Kentucky’s Most Scenic Drive Through Horse Country

Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region reveals itself most intimately along the Old Frankfort Pike, a 15.5-mile stretch of gently rolling countryside between Lexington and Frankfort. This federally designated National Scenic Byway, added to the official roster in 2021, brings travelers into direct contact with the land, legacy, and lifeblood of the state’s equine and agricultural heritage.

From tree-lined roads and historic stone fences to active Thoroughbred farms and preserved 18th-century structures, this route weaves through a landscape where tradition thrives alongside natural beauty. Travelers looking for an authentic Kentucky experience will find a richly layered journey through a corridor shaped by over 250 years of farming, settlement, and cultural continuity.

Where the Bluegrass Runs Deep

Old Frankfort Pike cuts through Fayette and Woodford counties at the heart of the Bluegrass Region. These lands, renowned for their deep loam soil and limestone-rich water, have long served as fertile ground for Kentucky’s agricultural economy and its globally recognized Thoroughbred industry. Along the route, visitors pass horse pastures bordered by double-fenced fields, barns that have stood for generations, and family farms rooted in the same soil for centuries.

The terrain sits atop a unique karst system. Springs snake through the land, vanishing into sinkholes and underground channels, leaving behind the mineral wealth that sustains both crops and horses. Here, the environment shapes culture. Horses raised on this land drink water steeped in calcium and graze on lush bluegrass, developing the bone strength and vitality that power Kentucky’s racing legacy.

Layers of History in Every Mile

Though just over 15 miles long, Old Frankfort Pike passes through six designated National Register Rural Historic Districts, a rarity that underscores the route’s cultural significance. This area contains thousands of historic buildings and sites spanning over 20,000 acres. Travelers will encounter churches, schoolhouses, taverns from the late 1700s, family cemeteries, and dry-laid limestone fences that frame the road for mile after mile.

Among the most unforgettable segments is the section locals call “Shady Lane.” For two miles, the canopy of mature hardwoods arches over the road, creating a tunnel of green that cools and calms. The fences here are centuries-old, hand-placed stone walls that stand without mortar, holding their place with gravity and craftsmanship passed down through generations.

Highlights Along the Route

This drive offers more than visual charm. Numerous stops along the byway invite visitors to explore deeper.

Don’t miss these experiences:

• Old Frankfort Pike Visitor Viewing Area
  Located near the Alexandria Drive roundabout outside Lexington, this area features interpretive panels and a self-guided walking loop chronicling over 250 years of Pike history.
  
• Secretariat Statue
  Standing proudly at the roundabout near the viewing area, this bronze tribute honors the Triple Crown winner who embodies Kentucky’s equine spirit.
  
• McConnell Springs Nature Sanctuary
  Just off the Pike, this 26-acre city park includes hiking trails, sinks, springs, and the historic site where Lexington was named in 1775. It also features an education center and amphitheater.
  
• Keeneland Race Track
  A short detour brings visitors to this National Historic Landmark. Time your visit right and you might catch a race or morning training session at one of the world’s premier horse racing venues.
  
• Weisenberger Mill
  Tucked along Paynes Depot Road, this sixth-generation family mill still produces flours and mixes using traditional methods. The mill offers a glimpse into Kentucky’s rural industrial history.
  
• Midway
  This historic railroad town makes for a pleasant lunch stop. With its classic main street, local shops, and well-preserved buildings, Midway adds small-town charm to the route.
  
• Airdrie Stud and Woodburn Farm
  These world-renowned Thoroughbred farms lie within the Nugent’s Crossroad and Wallace Station Historic Districts. Many of racing’s greats have passed through these gates.

A Living Corridor of Culture

The Old Frankfort Pike is a model of how agriculture, preservation, and local identity can coexist. Organizations like the Lexington-Frankfort Scenic Corridor, Inc. have worked for decades to protect the area’s integrity and champion its nomination to national status. Thanks to their efforts, visitors today can experience an unbroken link to Kentucky’s past and present.

What makes this drive stand out is its authenticity. This is not a polished or constructed tourist route. It is a working landscape with functioning farms, active stables, and families who have made their lives along this road for generations. The experience invites appreciation rather than spectacle, offering a kind of stillness that rewards the observant traveler.

Planning Your Drive

• Length: 15.5 miles (allow 1–2 hours including stops)
• Route: Runs from US 60 (Duckers Road intersection) to Wolf Run Creek near Lexington
• Speed Limits: 35 to 55 mph with one four-way stop at Midway Road (US 62)
• Road Type: Two-lane paved road with signage and pull-off opportunities

The route can be driven in either direction, though beginning near Lexington and heading westward offers easier access to side stops like McConnell Springs, Secretariat Park, and the visitor loop.

A Scenic Experience That Stays With You

Driving the Old Frankfort Pike is like stepping into the living rhythm of Kentucky. The road winds gently, the landscape undulates with soft hills, and the views open suddenly to horse farms where black foals gallop alongside their mothers. With every mile, the sense of place grows stronger. This byway doesn’t ask for attention—it earns it, quietly and confidently.

Old Frankfort Pike brings visitors face to face with Kentucky’s enduring soul. It’s a road worth following, not just for where it leads, but for the world it reveals along the way.