A full list of resupply options is on the STA website. The association is active and seemingly filled with southern hospitality. The group appeared eager to help hikers with the challenges of the trail such as shuttles and even delivering resupply boxes. Make no mistake—this trail is a challenge.

Capabilities

Looking for a new way to thru-hike a trail? Try the Hiker Challenge. The Sheltowee Trace Association has set up a program where a hiker can complete the trail by hiking one weekend a month for 11 months. All shuttles, camp locations and camaraderie are provided for you; all you need to do is show up, hike and enjoy the show. This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements.

The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support! To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Editorial Reviews

My name is Jim, though on the trail I'm occasionally known as Simba. When I retired a few years ago I returned to backpacking and found, for me, the sweet spot is long trails, but not that long. To me, these mile trails can be life changing, without taking so long that I have to change my life to accomplish them. I think they're a great alternative for those that don't have the time, ability, circumstances, or need to hike one of the Triple Crown. I hope to share that point of view on these pages.

I'm a member of the Outdoor Writers of Ohio and through the years have written other articles and a few books about backpacking. Much of my hiking is covered at oldmanoutdoors. Since I have 5. Marcia, The Challenge is a great way to hike the trail, the support is perfect for a newer hiker and the weekend bites of mileage add up fast. Glad to hear you are enjoying it. You have inspired me to keep at it. I have a burning desire to do a thru-hike, and had plans to do the ST a couple of years ago, but then some surgeries put that out of the question.

I suffered from trail withdrawal for 2 years!

I hope to be able to do a thru-hike next year, and will be seeking advise from everyone! The AT will probably never happen for me, but I am likely to add some of those shorter long trails to my trail bucket list. I plan to check out your website as well. Thank you for writing. Thanks for your comments. For those folks, there are a lot of great hiking alternatives.


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It sounds like you have a solid plan to build up to the ST next year. So for me, the ST is more comfortable, but maybe less exciting than the others.

Hike Sheltowee Trace: Kentucky's Mile Long Trail - The Trek

The Long Trail is steeper and rockier. There are some steep sections of the ST, but they are relatively short. One negative is the ST has more road walking than the others. As a relatively new trail, there are still sections being moved off road, so that is getting better all the time. Resupply options are fairly regular on the ST. Water can be a major concern out west too. For me, the spectacular mountain scenery of the Rockies or Sierras is hard to beat. By contrast, the ST has beautiful green eastern forests much of the way. All the trails are somewhat easy to follow and navigate.

Assistance along the trail was very good of every hike. The ST does stand out in this regard with the option in a couple spots to have a resupply package delivered to you on the trail. Amazon Music Stream millions of songs. Amazon Advertising Find, attract, and engage customers.

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Day and Overnight Hikes: Kentucky's Sheltowee Trace

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Hike Sheltowee Trace: Kentucky’s 323-Mile Long Trail

ComiXology Thousands of Digital Comics. Here the Trace follows an old mining railroad grade before reaching the big water of the Big South Fork. Yahoo Falls, the highest waterfall in the state of Kentucky at feet, is the centerpiece of this picturesque spot.

A set of side trails lead past rock monoliths, Yahoo Arch, overlooks and other cascades. Beyond here, the trail continues along Lake Cumberland, then heads up North Fork Big Creek where the Sheltowee Trail makes a degree curve beneath a deep rock shelter while being serenaded by a waterfall. The Trace leaves the Cumberland River Valley and heads east over to Laurel River Lake, curving along coves and bays through pine-oak-hickory woods.

Beyond Laurel River Lake, the Trace enters the rugged Cane Creek watershed, where rockhouses, waterfalls and sandstone bluffs await. Pass Resurgence Cave, from which War Fork flows.


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Turn away from War Fork via Alcorn Branch, passing rock shelters and a waterfall. The ST reenters national forest land and nears massive Whittleton Arch. The Trace heads up the rugged north side of the Red River Gorge past spectacular rock houses, small creeks, over a rocky ridge with far off views and by an arch.

The Trace drops into the Clifty Wilderness.