Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 12 landscape

Photo: Photo by Toan Chu on Unsplash

Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 12

~2 days · 14.1 mi · easy · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance14.1 mi
Days out2
Elevation gain1,627 ft
Gain / mile115 ft
High point1,319 ft
Difficulty index13/100

What the Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 12 is known for

Section 12 of the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail, one of the Sheltowee Trace Association's numbered day sections of Kentucky's 300-plus-mile trace through Daniel Boone National Forest. About 12 miles point-to-point, sized for an overnight on its own or easily combined with adjacent sections.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 12 on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 2,595 ft to 4,327 ft over 14.1 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 4.2 mi · 30%
  • Downhill 6.7 mi · 48%
  • Flat 3.0 mi · 21%

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

How hard is the Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 12?

13 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 12 scores 13/100, a relative rating across the 569 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 Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 12 take?

Most backpackers hike the Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 12 in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 14.1 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 12?

The Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 12 climbs roughly 1,627 ft total — about 115 ft per mile, topping out near 1,319 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. 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.

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