Sheltowee Trace NRT: Section 15 (N)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The climb up to Natural Bridge is broad, steep, and heavily traveled by hikers and tourists particularly on weekends. Expect congestion.

This section begins in the Sheltowee Trace Trailhead parking lot off of KY 11 just south of Whittleton Campground.

The trail begins with steep stairs down to the lakeshore which is paralleled until the trail crosses a suspension footbridge over the lake. From the lake, the trail climbs steeply through the heart of the state park before picking up the Original Trail (runs with Sheltowee) to Natural Bridge. From underneath the arch take Fat Man's Misery (on left) to gain the top of the ridge (and arch if you are so inclined to backtrack for the view!) and continue south on the Sheltowee Trace following the white turtle and diamond blazes.

Almost immediately after leaving the arch area the trail turns quiet and follows a broad ridge until the park boundary.