Ozark Trail — Section 4: Karkaghne landscape

Photo by Richard Carson on Unsplash

Ozark Trail — Section 4: Karkaghne

~3 days · 28.2 mi · hard · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance28.2 mi
Days out3
Elevation gain5,102 ft
Gain / mile181 ft
High point1,329 ft
Difficulty index20/100

What the Ozark Trail — Section 4: Karkaghne is known for

Section 4 of Ozark Trail is an official 46.7 km point-to-point section from Highway J Trailhead (OTA 'Ozark Trail - Karkaghne mile 0' marker) to Blair Creek junction (Karkaghne/Blair Creek boundary).

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Ozark Trail — Section 4: Karkaghne on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 2,615 ft to 4,318 ft over 28.2 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 14.1 mi · 50%
  • Downhill 10.5 mi · 37%
  • Flat 3.4 mi · 12%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

How hard is the Ozark Trail — Section 4: Karkaghne?

20 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Ozark Trail — Section 4: Karkaghne scores 20/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the Ozark Trail — Section 4: Karkaghne take?

Most backpackers hike the Ozark Trail — Section 4: Karkaghne in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 28.2 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Ozark Trail — Section 4: Karkaghne?

The Ozark Trail — Section 4: Karkaghne climbs roughly 5,102 ft total — about 181 ft per mile, topping out near 1,329 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

Plan the Ozark Trail — Section 4: Karkaghne Plan Free →