Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 20 landscape

Photo: Photo by Toan Chu on Unsplash

Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 20

~2 days · 9.2 mi · easy · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance9.2 mi
Days out2
Elevation gain955 ft
Gain / mile104 ft
High point1,467 ft
Difficulty index10/100

What the Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 20 is known for

Section 20 of the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail, the 300-plus-mile route through Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest country, passing the trail town of McKee around the Trace's midpoint. About 8-9 miles as mapped — an easy overnight or day hike.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 20 on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 3,360 ft to 4,780 ft over 9.2 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 4.3 mi · 47%
  • Downhill 3.1 mi · 33%
  • Flat 1.8 mi · 20%

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 20?

10 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 20 scores 10/100, 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 20 take?

Most backpackers hike the Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 20 in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 9.2 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 20?

The Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 20 climbs roughly 955 ft total — about 104 ft per mile, topping out near 1,467 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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