The Knobstone Trail is the longest hiking trail in Indiana. Its southern terminus is about 10 miles (16 km) north of Louisville, Kentucky in the Deam Lake State Recreation Area. It currently ends at Delaney Creek Park near Salem, Indiana, however there are plans to eventually extend the trail another 80 miles (129 km) north to Martinsville, Indiana. Most of the trails lies within Clark State Forest. As it lies along the Knobstone Escarpment, it is a difficult hike, which is why many use the Knobstone Trail to prepare for hiking the Appalachian Trail.
The trail was first established in 1980, and was only 32 miles (51 km) long. It now covers 40,000 acres (160 km2) of land, most of which is public forest.
Hiking the trail in its entirety results in approximately 20,000 feet (6,100 m) of elevation change between the gains and losses. The trail passes through 3 counties and is surrounded by approximately 40,000 acres (160 km2) of Indiana State Forest. The rugged trail consists of steep climbs and descents throughout its duration. It is maintained to backcountry standards. There are no designated camp sites; rather hikers must camp at least 1-mile (1.6 km) from roads and trailheads.
Famous quotes containing the word trail:
“And Change with hurried hand has swept these scenes:
The woods have fallen, across the meadow-lot
The hunter’s trail and trap-path is forgot,
And fire has drunk the swamps of evergreens;
Yet for a moment let my fancy plant
These autumn hills again: the wild dove’s haunt,
The wild deer’s walk: in golden umbrage shut,”
—Frederick Goddard Tuckerman (1821–1873)