Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 26 landscape

Photo: Photo by Toan Chu on Unsplash

Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 26

~2 days · 10.4 mi · easy · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance10.4 mi
Days out2
Elevation gain978 ft
Gain / mile94 ft
High point1,181 ft
Difficulty index10/100

What the Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 26 is known for

Section 26 of the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail in Daniel Boone National Forest, passing the Laurel River Lake area of southeast Kentucky. About 9 miles point-to-point as drawn. Usually done in 1-2 days as part of a longer Trace itinerary.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 26 on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 2,799 ft to 3,865 ft over 10.4 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 4.9 mi · 47%
  • Downhill 4.3 mi · 41%
  • Flat 1.2 mi · 12%

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 26?

10 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 26 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 26 take?

Most backpackers hike the Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 26 in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 10.4 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 26?

The Sheltowee Trace NRT — Section 26 climbs roughly 978 ft total — about 94 ft per mile, topping out near 1,181 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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