Kentucky Hiker Project

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Indian Staircase Loop + Adena Arch and Overlook from Bison Way

Map of Indian Staircase Loop + Adena Arch and Overlook

Overview. This is an iconic route in Red River Gorge and rightfully so. Sweeping views, adventurous rock scrambling, beautiful arches, and plenty of camping spots combine to make this one of the most popular and beautiful hikes in the region. Navigating this hike can be challenging if you’re not familiar with the area or using a good GPS route, so be sure to load the .GPX file below into your map app and read through the navigation and notes below.

Route Type | Loop and Spur
Total Distance | 4.15 miles
Elevation Gain | 1,191 feet
Physical Demand | Moderate to Strenuous with Class 2/3 Scrambles
Navigational Skill | Intermediate
portions of this route use unmarked and unmarked trails, but are heavily traveled

GPS Waypoints
Bison Way Trailhead | 37.836983, -83.609483
Split with Unmarked Shortcut Trail | 37.842028, -83.611881
Bison Way-Sheltowee Trace Junction | 37.842633, -83.611303
Turn to Indian Staircase | 37.844347, -83.614225
Top of Indian Staircase | 37.846224, -83.615890
Shawnee Arch | 37.8467139,-83.6162306
Frog’s Head | 37.846963, -83.616787
Council Chamber Rock Shelter | 37.847511, -83.619267
Sheltowee Trace Junction | 37.842706, -83.617000
Turn to Adena Arch | 37.842403, -83.615936
Adena Arch and Overlook | 37.839147, -83.612342
Indian Arch | 37.842883, -83.616144
Red River Gorge Area Map

Parking. Limited parking is available at the Bison Way Trailhead with pit toilets and trash bins for your comfort and joy. Overflow parking is available across the bridge, at Gladie (GLAY-dee) Visitors Center (when open), and west on KY-715. The parking lot and overflow spots fill up routinely on nice weather weekends. On this Saturday in November with rain and gloomy skies, the lot was full, and I parked across the bridge.

Trail Navigation. Here are the directions in simplest form and read below for the three spots where hikers most commonly get lost attempting this hike:

  • Start at the Bison Way Trailhead and move uphill on the singletrack trail

  • Follow the white diamond blazes to stay on Bison Way until reaching a marked (2 wooden signs) T-intersection with Sheltowee Trace

  • Turn left onto the Trace and follow the white diamond and turtle blazes nearly two-tenths of a mile to the intersection with the unmarked and unmaintained Indian Staircase ‘Trail’

  • Ascend moderately before reaching a Class 2 scramble up some rocks and roots

  • Continue uphill to reach the base of the staircase

  • Locate the footholds and use them to ascend to the top of the ridge (see note below)

  • Circle around near-ish the cliffs to see Shawnee Arch and Frog’s Head on your left

  • Continue around before descending on some bare rock to reach Council Chambers - a huge rock shelter mid-level in the elbow of the ridgeline.

  • Continue around the fenced area and slowly ascend to the top of the ridge - a number of turns can be made - take the least challenging one that happened to have a downed tree pointing the way up

  • Make it to the top of the ridge and turn left

  • Reach Sheltowee Trace and turn left

  • Continue on the Trace before reaching a fork with a sharp turn; go straight to Adena Arch and Overlook

  • Retrace your steps and descend to Indian Arch

  • Wrap down and around on Sheltowee Trace until reaching the intersection with Bison Way

  • Turn right onto Bison Way and return to the trailhead

HIKER NOTE - Directional Challenges. I put this at the intermediate skill level in terms of navigation because while the staircase is an unmarked and unmaintained trail, it’s heavily trafficked. That said, there are three places where people get lost on this hike thanks to the existence of shortcut and side trails:

  1. Shortcut Trail Near the Trailhead - As you start walking uphill on Bison Way Trail, there is a shortcut trail that goes straight ahead steeply uphill after only a few hundred paces on the trail. Keep your head up and when you see the fork, go right and follow the white diamond blazes.

  2. Shortcut Trail to Indian Staircase ‘Trail’ Junction - Another great spot to get lost is also a fork with the wrong way being straight ahead. Just above the drainage that is Sargent Branch, you’ll make a sharp right to descend to the stream, cross it, and ascend to the junction with Sheltowee Trace. From there, you’ll turn left. If you take the shortcut trail, you’ll turn right when you reach Sheltowee Trace. Problem is that folks will blow past the turn thinking they’re still on Bison Way, then turn left on Sheltowee Trace - the opposite direction to reach Indian Staircase ‘Trail’ when using the shortcut trail. Confused? Load the .GPX file to your app and follow it instead.

  3. Ascending the Wrong Route - There is another trail that goes uphill steeply with some fun scrambling, but is east of the staircase trail. Some folks take this early turn and wind up missing the staircase. You have to PASS the drainage and then turn uphill for Indian Staircase ‘Trail’. I’ve hiked this other trail a couple times, and it’s fun - ending up on the same ridgeline, just a little east of the staircase.

HIKER SKILL - Staircase Assist. A simple and effective technique in helping hikers ascend the staircase is to press their feet into the footholds horizontally. This creates enough force to counter the force of their foot trying to slip out of the holds. It isn’t necessary on most of them, but nearest the base of the staircase, there are some holds that are angled downhill. A firm press against the heel of a shoe is enough to keep a foot in place so your hiking partner can continue uphill. When it’s dry, this generally isn’t needed, but it’s a good technique to have in your back pocket. I generally suggest having the experienced hikers in the group stationed downhill of first-timers whether ascending or descending to assist with foot placement/hold as needed.

CAUTION - Indian Staircase. Avoid the staircase when wet, icy, or snowy. Turn the loop into an out and back instead using the south junction of the loop. When ascending, bear crawl up and utilize the footholds. When descending, crab walk down scooting your butt as you go. It is exceedingly rare than anyone run into problems using these techniques - it is only dangerous if you use poor technique, hike in poor conditions, or have a mental freakout when you’re up there. First-timers should hike this with others who have been there. Ideally, one experienced person in front and one behind.

CAUTION - Indian Staircase Mid-Level Loop. You will be inches from a long fall off the cliff at various points on this loop. If you’re afraid of heights, take the top-level loop by continuing above Council Chamber because the mid-level trail is very thin in spots. You can drop down to Council Chamber from the top-level between the rock shelter and Frog’s Head and retrace your steps and turn left to circle the rim’s highest trail.

CAUTION - Deadly Drops. Long falls from high places are the #1 non-health related cause of death for hikers in Kentucky. Keep your distance from the edges of cliffs to avoid a deadly fall. Young children should be kept close.

CAUTION - Poisonous Snakes. Copperheads and timber rattlesnakes can be found in the area. Should you encounter one, stop and slowly back away. Always give venomous snakes a wide berth. Know Before You Go => University of Kentucky Venomous Snake Guide

CAUTION - Black Bears. Ursus Americanus - a.k.a. the American black bear is growing in population throughout much of Kentucky. Know Before You Go => US Forest Service Black Bear Safety Tips

Road Walk from the Overflow Lot

Bison Way Trailhead

Junction with Sheltowee Trace

Base of Indian Staircase - definitely the sketchiest part

Shawnee Arch

Council Chambers

Adena Arch

View from Adena Overlook

Indian Arch Approach View

My Random Hiking Partners for the Day at Indian Arch; they did great on their first ascent of the staircase!

Storm Damage and Loads of Chainsaw Work from Forest Service