Halloween trips in Red River Gorge lead to ‘Trail of Terror’

WOLFE COUNTY, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — The newest adventure in the Red River Gorge starts pleasantly enough with food and music in a relaxed setting. But once night falls and the utility terrain vehicles arrive to whisk visitors into the woods, peace can turn into panic.

"You never know what you're gonna get through here," said Chip Hart, owner of Out the Top Adventures.

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The company takes people on steep, muddy, and overgrown offroad trails year-round and some people call it the ride of their lives. But at Halloween, it appears to be a date with death. At any time on the eight-mile route, a frightening figure could block your progress, or a killer clown could come creeping from the kudzu.

This scenic route by day becomes a psycho path at night.

Hart said the UTV trails follow old railroad lines. "Just knowing there was a whole town here back in the early 1900s in all these abandoned areas down in here makes it eerie."

The 25 actors on the Trail of Terror are determined to make sure your joyride is a scream. The four-wheelers stop so chainsaw-wielding maniacs can surround the vehicles and get face-to-face with the thrill seekers. Hart said people have come from several states for the "fright night" experience.

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Alton West, of Memphis, Tennessee, visited the gorge to go off-roading during the day but just knew he had to come back at night when he heard about the Halloween trips. "I enjoy riding in the hills, the mud, riding through the creeks, and doing it at night with people jumping out at you really flips the switch on it," he said.

Pam DeAngelis of Owingsville said this is the first time she's ever visited a scary attraction, but she would definitely do it again. "Come with your fears identified because you're going to notice them when you're in the woods," she said.

Evan Rowe is one of about 15 drivers who take visitors into the woods. "I had a lady halfway through say 'I don't want to do this no more.'" he said. "She was really, really scared. She just didn't want to do it, so I brought her back."

Hart said they will offer a less scary ride for those who request it, with more lights turned on. "On those trips, the actors more or less wave at you instead of getting in your face."

But most people want the full experience, hoping for lots of jump scares and heart-pounding moments.

About 125 people brave the rides each night they're offered. The cost is $50. If you want to go, you'll need reservations —and believe me, you will have reservations