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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? 

Help Realize The Vision  – Support The KHTA Join /Donate/Volunteer

Find us on Facebook and Meetup.com!

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

Sparksville Fall Festival

 

 

Take Note of the reroute between miles 26 & 28 (N of the Leota TrHd), the closure of Indian Hill Road mile 145, and the repair of the bridge at mile 79.3!
Check Trail Conditions & Updates

View The 2023 Summer Newsletter Newsletter

Pictures From Section Hikes, Thru Hikes, & 2nd Sat Work Days

 

 

Private Easement  and KT Workdays – KHTA Volunteers & Adopters
December 2 – Saturday Workday 9:30 am-3:30 pm – Elk Creek Area
We will meet at the parking area on North Leval Ratt Road where the KT crosses the road (Trail Mile 34 3/4 North of Elk Creek Lake Trail Head). We will build reverse drains on the hillside going south towards Elk Creek Lake.
Click Here for directions. Please bring your lunch and water. We will have large hand tools, but please bring any small tools you have such as clippers or a pruning saw. And a backpack is handy to carry everything in. Instructions will be provided for those who need them. We finish about 3:30. Click Here for more info and to sign up on Meetup.

December 4 – Monday Workday 9:30 am-3:30 pm Elk Creek Area
We will meet at the parking area on North Leval Ratt Road where the KT crosses the road ( Trail Mile 34 3/4 – North of Elk Creek Lake Trail Head).  We will build reverse drains on the hillside going south towards Elk Creek Lake.
Click Here for directions. Please bring your lunch and water.  We will have large hand tools, but please bring any small tools you have such as clippers or a pruning saw.  And a backpack is handy to carry everything in.  Instructions will be provided for those who need them.  Click Here for more info and to sign up on Meetup.

Dec 16 – Saturday Workday 9:30 am-3:30 pm – Elk Creek Area
We will meet at the parking area on North Leval Ratt Road where the KT crosses the road (Trail Mile 34 3/4 – North of Elk Creek Lake Trail Head).  We will build reverse drains on the hillside going south towards Elk Creek Lake.
Click Here for directions.  Please bring your lunch and water.  We will have large hand tools, but please bring any small tools you have such as clippers or a prunning saw.  And a backpack is handy to carry everything.  Instruction will be provided for those who need them.  Click Here for more info and to sign up on Meetup.

December 18 – Monday Workday 9:30 am-3:30 pm Elk Creek Area
We will meet at the parking area on North Leval Ratt Road where the KT crosses the road (Trail Mile 34 3/4 – North of Elk Creek Lake Trail Head).  We will build reverse drains on the hillside going south towards Elk Creek Lake.
Click Here for directions.  Please bring your lunch and water.  We will have large hand tools, but please bring any small tools you have such as clippers or a pruning saw.  And a backpack is handy to carry everything.  Instructions will be provided for those who need them.  Click Here for more info and to sign up on Meetup.

Second Saturday Workdays
December 9 & January 13 – Join Us For The 2nd Saturday Workday – 9:30 am-3:30 pm

Would you 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 Martinsville. We meet at near the Martinsville Conservation Club.  Please bring a lunch and water. We will have large hand tools, but please bring any small tools you have such as clippers or a pruning saw. And a backpack is handy to carry everything in. Instructions will be provided for those who need them. We finish about 3:30.  Click Here for more info and to sign up on Meetup.

Join us on our website at http://www.knobstonehikingtrail.org/ and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knobstone-Hiking-Trail-

2024 Organized Hikes  Will Be Announced After the Holidays
Many thanks to Scott Beam and all those who shared in the hikes during 2023

Click Here for more info and to signup on Meetup  KHTA hikes and workdays.

Pictures From The Hikes

  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

 

 

Trail Conditions

Weather Conditions

KHT Northern Trailhead


KHT Southern Trailhead



Volunteer To Build The KHT
Trail builders find it one of the most rewarding things they’ve ever done. Make your mark on this forever trail! Details about the next work date (no experience needed; work for all ages and abilities available):

   

Activities Update

 

 

Mission Statement
“The KHTA is dedicated to the completion, preservation, and promotion of the Knobstone Hiking Trail. This footpath follows the Knobstone Escarpment from 30 miles south of Indianapolis to 10 miles north of Louisville, KY. A long-term management organization for the trail assures continuity of assistance in maintaining the trail to the governmental entities whose jurisdictions the trail passes through as well as to private property owners donating trail easements.”

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