37° 49' 23.0" N 83° 37' 41.2" W

Route Type: Out and Back + Loop

Distance: 11.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 1923 ft

Max Elevation: 1243 ft

Trailhead: Sheltowee Connector Trail #211

Permits Required: Yes

Recommended Duration: 2 days/1 night

Post-Hike Beer: Country Boy Brewing Witness the Citrus IPA

The Hike:

The Indian Staircase-Adena Arch Loop is an out and back hike with a loop added on that takes you up the popular Indian Staircase. The route is a combination of a few different established trails as well as a social trail and covers a total distance of ~11.5 miles.

Logistics:

Red River Gorge is part of the Daniel Boone National Forest and is therefore administered by the National Forest Service. There is no entrance fee but an overnight backpacking permit must be purchased in order to camp (available for purchase at the gas stations in Slade for $3). There are established campsites in the backcountry that should be used in order to minimize the impact on the land and all campsites are on a first-come first-served basis. Parking is very limited within Red River Gorge so it is recommended to arrive as early as possible to ensure that space is available.

Breakdown

Day 1 (~7.5 miles)

The trailhead is located off of KY 715 (Sky Bridge Road) at the end of a short gravel road that ends in a small parking lot. This is a popular trailhead as it is also the easiest access to Jump Rock (a local swimming hole). The hike begins by following the Red River for 0.4 miles until you reach the junction with the Sheltowee Trace Suspension Bridge. Turn left at the suspension bridge and cross KY 715 to continue on the trail.

For the next 3 miles you will encounter a few minor climbs as you wind your way through the dense forest and rocky cliffs. At 3.5 miles you will begin a short but steep climb up to the ridge where you will find several trails intersecting. Continue towards the right as you head across the ridge towards Adena Arch. This section of trail provides great viewpoints of the surrounding cliffs/valleys and also has a few campsites that are more secluded than those located closer to Indian Staircase. It is recommended to set up camp in this area before continuing on towards Indian Staircase (climbing Indian Staircase while carrying a backpack loaded with gear will not be an enjoyable experience).

Once you have set up camp simply retrace your route back towards the intersecting trails. Follow the trail to your right that immediately begins to descend into the valley below. After 0.7 miles you will reach the start of the social trail that will lead you up Indian Staircase. If you are planning to collect water for filtering, now is the time to do it. There is a small stream just past the junction to Indian Staircase that provides a reliable source of water.

After filling up on water you will begin your climb up Indian Staircase. This is a very steep and treacherous climb that requires you to scramble up smooth rock surfaces to reach the top of the ridge. Once at the top of the ridge the trails become somewhat hard to follow as there are many social trails leading to various campsites. There are two main trails in this section, one that roughly follows the ridge and one that goes through the woods. Both are about equal in distance and after ~0.25 miles you will make a quick descent to a large overhanging cliff, at which point the trail becomes easier to follow once again. The next 0.25 miles are along a very narrow cliff ledge with a steep drop off to the valley below. This section is potentially dangerous if not paying attention to your footing. There are great views across the valley below and of other hikers climbing Indian Staircase. After a quick climb back to the top of the ridge you will be back on the trail that takes you to the junction with the Adena Arch trail. Simply follow this back to your campsite and have a relaxing evening at camp. The views from the Adena Arch ridge also provide a great spot for watching the sunset and for stargazing.

Day 2 (~4.0 miles)

After packing up your camp you will retrace your route back towards the trailhead as you cover ~4.0 miles, the majority of which is downhill.

Best Time to Go:

Red River Gorge is accessible year round. The spring and fall are the best times to visit as it can be very hot and muggy in the summer.

Good to Know:

Water

There are not many good spots to obtain water on this hike as the majority of it is along sandstone cliffs. The best area to obtain water for filtering is after you descend into the valley from the Adena Arch ridge. Always treat/filter any water collected before consuming.

Campsites

There are established campsites scattered throughout the route with the majority being located on the backside of Indian Staircase, although this area is the most popular for backcountry camping and can be quite crowded. A better option is to take the Adena Arch trail which is significantly less frequented and provides a couple of sites that are a good option. Red River Gorge is not well regulated regarding campsites and new spots are constantly popping up as people camp where they see fit. Always use an established campsite and practice Leave No Trace principles as this is a unique and sensitive ecosystem.

Ticks

Ticks are very common in the Red River Gorge area during the warmer months. It is recommended to wear bug spray while hiking in the gorge and to inspect yourself thoroughly for the presence of any ticks.