Backpacking in Kentucky

[Honuben]

I have recently move from Hawaii to Kentucky and this years Sobo trip has been basically shut down. I have limited access to the internet as i remodel my house and would like to plan a backpacking trip 7-14 days long to prep for a '15 Nobo AT trip. I was thinking about a section of the GET out here or maybe something else in KY.

[Honuben]

Shut down by my internet... But could anyone recommend a good hike / backpacking trip in the Louisville, KY area?

[The Solemates]

knobstone trail, IN

[The Solemates]

mammoth cave np

[gof]

There are some trails up in Ohio. Most notably the Shawnee Backpack Trail near Portsmouth, Ohio. Google is your friend.

[KYLarry]

It‘s not in Louisville, but Kentucky has the Sheltowee Trace Trail that goes through the Daniel Boone National Forest in the eastern part of the state. Check out the Sheltowee Trace Association web page, as they are always organizing section and through-hikes for STA members. Www.sheltoweetrace.org

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[Bati]

It‘s not in Louisville, but Kentucky has the Sheltowee Trace Trai

Or just wander around in the Red River Gorge for a week or two instead of following the Trace through it. The Eastern part of Kentucky has some incredible scenery and it's not that far of a drive from Louisville.

[Jebo]

The Big South Fork National Park on KY/TN border has some great multi-day hiking and camping trails.

[Jebo]

Welcome to Kentucky!

[Honuben]

Thank you all. i will be out check those out. I have never lived here before and needed a a good starting point.

[Gambit McCrae]

Sheltowee Trace, and Big South Fork in General are great for flat multi day trips. You could walk for a good 2 weeks in BSF and then annex over to the sheltowee trace via the john muir trail. Or if you would like something more mountainous the AT IS only a couple hours away from KY

[fredmugs]

knobstone trail, IN

Agreed. Starting at the southern end you can go up 40 miles, do a 9 mile loop, and then you have 40 miles back. Check out the website because parts of the trail have been closed.

http://www.in.gov/dnr/outdoor/4224.htm

[Pringles]

West of Louisville, in Indiana, is the Adventure Trail. It's in Wyandott State Forest (I may have spelled Wyandott wrong). It's maybe 25 miles long, and has a few shelters. Water is usually available from ponds--boil rather than filtering, filters clog almost immediately. It's nice oak forest, and there are some real hills.

Pringles

[SonrisaJo]

You cannot go wrong on the Pine Mountain Trail which hosts the Great Eastern Trail. All the maps and guides are online for free: http://www.pinemountaintrail.com/maps
A fabulous trail. Cannot say enough good things about it.

[Honuben]

Sonrisa, thats the trail I'm leaning towards. I just need the rest of my gear to float here. This summer i'm going to spend alot of time out there.

[SonrisaJo]

Sonrisa, thats the trail I'm leaning towards. I just need the rest of my gear to float here. This summer i'm going to spend alot of time out there.

I've got some pictures online:
http://www.gethiking.net/search/labe...%20mtn%20trail

Alas, I didn't get pictures of the beautiful shelters. Black Bear Shelter in Kingdom Come St Park (on the Little Shepherd Trail section of the PMT) was modeled after the famous Partnership Shelter on the AT. Adena, Flamingo, and the new one near Birch Knob are all great!

The side trail to Skyview Rock Shelter is very worth it. I don't see it on the maps. It is north of Hwy 23 and there is a sign for it when you get there. The side trail is overgrown and steep but the rock formation is just so cool.

Happy hiking!

[Robb871]

Just got back from Red River Gorge. It's beautiful there right now, but then again it's probably beautiful everywhere. I recommend the gorge, Big South Fork, or Sheltowee. Gonna have to check out Pine Mountain as well.


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[Cookerhiker]

All good ideas above. Since you're new to KY (welcome), I'd recommend starting at the Red River Gorge which you can reach in less than 2 hours. The Gorge, along with the adjacent Natural Bridge State Park, is replete with arches, rock houses, clifflines, and more. If you want to car camp, your choice is the state park or Koomer Ridge campground in the national forest.