Kentucky · Mountain biking

Sheltowee Trace

9.0 mi
round trip
726 ft
climb
Out and back
route
Aug–Nov
best months

Sheltowee Trace is a mountain biking route in Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, within the London Ranger District. The trail is an out-and-back that covers about 18 miles, with a one-way climb of roughly 726 feet, starting around 793 feet and reaching about 1,283 feet at the top. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to ride. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Heidelberg put October highs around 69°F with lows near 44°F, and May highs near 76°F. That station sits several hundred feet lower, so temperatures on the trail run cooler. Several other destinations sit within a few miles. Turkey Foot Campground is about 3.7 miles away, and the Pretty House Arch Trail is about 3.2 miles away. Climbers can head to the Mellow Mushroom area, about 4.1 miles off, and paddlers can find Station Camp Creek about 6.6 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Aug–Nov

    Best time to visit Sheltowee Trace

    Best months: August–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      44° / 25°

      14 wet

    2. Feb

      48° / 27°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      58° / 33°

      14 wet

    4. Apr

      69° / 42°

      13 wet

    5. May

      76° / 52°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      83° / 61°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 65°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 64°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      81° / 56°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      69° / 44°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      58° / 34°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      47° / 28°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Heidelberg, KY, 7 mi away at 665 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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