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The Knobstone Hiking Trail is a 160-mile trail along the landmark Knobstone escarpment in one of the most rugged and scenic areas of the South Central Midwest, on the high bluffs of the forested corridor between Indianapolis, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky. The KHT consists of four sections,  Knobstone (south, 45 miles), Pioneer (South middle, 37.9), Hoosier National Forest (North middle, 28.4), and Tecumseh (north, 42.7-miles).  The Knobstone has continuous trail from start to finish.  The Tecumseh and Hoosier Nation Forest has minor county road walks.  The Pioneer has 5 miles of existing trails with approximately 9 more miles in various stages of development. The extended road walks are nearly all on remote gravel and black top roads with great scenery.  There is 2.5 miles of road walk along Hwy 135 with a wide grass strip at the edge.   There is good access and parking at 10-20-mile intervals, ideal for day hikes and backpack camping. No fees, reservations, or permits are required.

The Knobstone Hiking Trail Association (KHTA) was formed in 2013 to become the steward of this great trail. The KHTA is a non-profit organization dedicated to completion, preservation, and promotion of the KHT. We depend on Association members and volunteers for its very existence. Only a part of it is on public land maintained by government agencies. Trail conditions are dependent on hiker reports and volunteer action in response to them. The KHTA is the only source for maps and information about the entire trail. Won’t you join us? 

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Check Out A Guide To The Knobstone Trail: Indiana’s Longest Footpath

Take Note of the Damaged Bridge at Mile 79.3 & the Closure of Indian Hill Road!
Check Trail Conditions & Updates

Pictures From 2020 Spring & Summer Section Hikes & 2nd Sat Work Days

Saturday October 10 – Join Us For The 2nd Saturday Workday – 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Would you like to spend a day in some beautiful woods with a delightful group of people building a connecting section of Indiana’s premier long distance hiking trail? Come join us as we work on an easement near Sparksville. We meet at the Park at the edge of town.  Sparksville Park – 6952 S 1100 W, Medora, IN 472609

Original KT Thru Hike  To Be Led By Scott Beam – Oct 16-18
Meet 8 AM on Friday at the KT Southern Terminus (4507 Wilson Switch Road, Borden, IN USA 47106)
Sign Up on Meetup – Meetup.com!

Now that the one day section hikes are over, it’s time to start the backpacking trips along the Knobstone and Tecumseh trails. We’ll start with the more difficult KT, hoping to hit the trail during the peak foliage for a 3 day trip southbound along the trail.

I’m going to suggest each group should meet at the southern terminus just inside Deam Lake SRA (DNR fee or entry permit required), leaving one or 2 cars behind and heading north, leaving caches along the route to Spurgeon Hollow. I’ve asked another hiker to lead a separate group if enough sign up, and if there’s enough interest I can ask others if they’d like to lead a hike, possibly at a slower pace.
This is an extremely difficult trail, and everyone joining should be an experienced backpacker for this hike. I’ll be hosting more backpacking trips for beginners, I’m hoping to still hike the Tecumseh and Adena Trace before the end of the year. This hike will include days approaching 20 miles a day, and with the hills and carrying gear it’ll seem like 40 miles at times! My plan is to hike somewhere past Elk Creek day one, hike past the New Chapel trailhead for day two, and finish on day three.

  All KHT sections on state land are now open for hiking and overnight backpack camping!  

For The Latest Info On The DNR’s Covoid 19 Response Go To: DNR Covoid 19 Response

For The Latest Info On The HNF’s Covoid 19 Response Go To: HNF Covoid 19 Response