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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
More Dates For February And March Will Be Posted In Late January
We will continue to work on the KT North of Elk Creek Lake, on the private easements and possibly begin work in the southern area of the KT in the New Chapel area.

Gateway Trail Building In Morgan Monroe State Forest
January 6 – Saturday 9:15 am
Help us as we continue to build this new trail in Morgan-MonroeSF. We will meet at 9:15 and sign the DNR volunteer forms, hike about a mile to where we’ve been working and continue building this trail. Work will consist of benching the new trail, smoothing out previously built sections, raking and pruning or other aspects if the temps allow. Not all work is labor intensive, there’s plenty to do without moving piles of dirt!
If there’s been solid freezing and cold temps where dirt work is too difficult, we’ll instead focus on removing trees along the route. DNR requires those using chainsaws to have participated in their training, but hand saws can also be used along with helping to remove cut items. All tools will be provided, but bring some gloves, a favorite shovel or pruners if you’d like.
We take plenty of breaks, including a longer one for lunch. So bring some snacks or a meal, some water or hot whatever your preference and come out and be part of building a trail. Come out and build a foot of trail or 100 feet, it all helps us get closer to finishing!.  Click Here for more info and to sign up on Meetup.

Second Saturday Workdays
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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