280 miles, located in the Daniel Boone National Forest & Big South Fork, portions of trail open to mountain biking and horseback riding, portions of trail are paved

The longest hiking trail in Kentucky travels through the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest. The Sheltowee Trace totals 280 miles, with 269 of them located in Kentucky. From just outside Morehead, Kentucky, it stretches southward to the Big South Fork and on into Pickett State Park in Tennessee. While mainly used as a hiking and backpacking trail, there are sections of the Sheltowee that are open to bikers and horseback riders. The trail brings users to some of the most scenic locations in Kentucky including the Red River Gorge National Geological Area, Cave Run Lake, Laurel River Lake and the Big South Fork. Plenty of other unforgettable sights and encounters await users along the trail too including old iron furnaces, sandstone arches, and mountain streams. The Sheltowee Trace is Kentucky's premier hiking destination, and one that all serious backpackers should plan to hike. Rather hiking in sections or attempting a through hike, which is not recommended for the unexperienced, there are publications, maps and online information to help plan your trip.