As summer gives way to the glorious season of fall, hikers across the country search for new adventures. One of the better trails in the eastern U.S. is the Sheltowee Trace Trail, which winds across the Appalachian Plateau from Pickett State Park, in Tennessee, to Rowan County, Kentucky, north of Morehead. Running the entire length of Daniel Boone National Forest, the 257-mile route (Forest Trail 100) was named in honor of Kentucky's famous explorer; Sheltowee, which means Big Turtle, was the name given to Daniel Boone by local Native Americans.
On its course through Kentucky, the Sheltowee Trace crosses the Big South Fork National Recreation Area, winds past Cumberland Falls and skirts the north shore of Laurel River Lake. North of McKee, the trail curves along a scenic, rock-walled gorge and then drops to the Turkey Foot Recreation Area, on the War Branch of Station Camp Creek. Heading north, it eventually enters Natural Bridge State Resort Park, one of the most spectacular sites in Kentucky. Just beyond this scenic refuge, the trail crosses the wilds of Red River Gorge, a camping and backpacking destination for many Easterners. Finally, nearing I-64, the Sheltowee Trace connects a series of wildlife areas west and north of Cave Run Lake, on the Licking River.
Almost any section of the trail offers a scenic day hike. Those planning multi-day excursions should check with Daniel Boone National Forest rangers for back-country permits and camping information.
