Muldraugh Hill facts for kids

Muldraugh Hill is a special kind of natural landform in central Kentucky. It's like a long, steep slope or ridge that separates two different areas. You can find it across several counties, including Bullitt, Hardin, Jefferson, and Nelson.

This unique hill acts as a natural border. To its north and northeast is the Bluegrass region, known for its rolling hills and horse farms. To its south and southwest is the Pennyrile, which is a flatter area. Muldraugh Hill helps define these two distinct parts of Kentucky.

What is Muldraugh Hill?

Muldraugh Hill is a long ridge that stretches across central Kentucky. It starts in the east, where it connects with another similar landform called the Pottsville Escarpment. As it goes west, it eventually reaches the Ohio River. Even though it seems to end there, it actually continues into Indiana as a group of hills known as Floyds Knobs.

How it Looks

The appearance of Muldraugh Hill changes along its length. In some eastern parts, it might just look like a gentle slope or a small hill. But as you move towards the western areas, it becomes much more noticeable. Here, you'll find many "knobs," which are small, rounded hills. These knobs make the landscape very interesting and hilly.

The Rocks of Muldraugh Hill

The hill is made up of different kinds of rocks. Most of it consists of siltstones and shales. These are types of sedimentary rocks, formed from layers of mud and silt over millions of years. You can also find some limestones here. These rocks are found between older limestones and dolomites from the Bluegrass region and newer limestones from the Pennyrile area. You won't see many rocks sticking out of the ground, except in places like the northern part of Fort Knox, where the limestone layers are visible.

Places to Explore on Muldraugh Hill

Muldraugh Hill is home to some important and beautiful natural areas. These places offer great opportunities to explore nature and enjoy the outdoors.

• The Jefferson Memorial Forest is located in Louisville, Kentucky. It's a large urban forest that sits within the hilly "knobs" of Muldraugh Hill. It's a popular spot for hiking and enjoying nature close to the city.
• Bernheim Forest is another wonderful place found within the knobs of Muldraugh Hill. It spans parts of Bullitt and Nelson Counties. Bernheim Forest is known for its beautiful trees, gardens, and wildlife.
• A part of Fort Knox, a well-known U.S. Army post, also lies within the Muldraugh Hill area.