Red River Gorge Northeast Loop with Cloudsplitter, Adena Arch, and Indian Staircase

Jun 26

Map of Red River Gorge Northeastern Loop - Red River Gorge - Kentucky Hiker Project — Map of Red River Gorge Northeast Loop with Cloudsplitter, Adena Arch, and Indian Staircase

Elevation Profile of Red River Gorge Northeast Loop with Cloudsplitter, Adena Arch and Indian Staircase

Overview. If you split the gorge into quadrants with Sheltowee Trace and Red River as bisectors, this would be the northeast loop using mostly marked trails with only three unofficial user trails to Cloudsplitter, Adena Arch, and Indian Staircase. It’s a beautiful route and the road walk is made more interesting with the gorge’s incredible geology ever present. Check below for enjoyable add-ons as well.

Route Type | Point to Point
Total Distance | 21.38 miles
Elevation Gain | 3,168 feet
Overall Difficulty | Moderate to Strenuous with Class 2, 3, and 4 Scrambles

GPS Waypoints
Sheltowee Connector Trailhead | 37.823102, -83.628063
Jump Rock Access | 37.824156, -83.625775
Sheltowee Trace Suspension Bridge | 37.827925, -83.624492
Turn to Cloudsplitter | 37.837594, -83.622650
Scramble to Cloudsplitter | 37.838119, -83.621489
Cloudsplitter Overlook | 37.837478, -83.620500
Turn to Adena Arch | 37.842403, -83.615936
Adena Arch and Overlook | 37.839147, -83.612342
Indian Arch | 37.842883, -83.616144
Turn to Indian Staircase Loop Trail | 37.842706, -83.617000
Turn to Mid-Level Loop Trail | 37.844403, -83.618167
Council Chamber Rock Shelter | 37.847511, -83.619267
Frog’s Head | 37.846963, -83.616787
Shawnee Arch | 37.8467139,-83.6162306
Indian Staircase | 37.846224, -83.615890
Junction with Sheltowee Trace | 37.844347, -83.614225
Junction with Bison Way | 37.842633, -83.611303
Junction with Lost Trail | 37.856592, -83.593908
Gladie Creek Ford | 37.856492, -83.588914
Lost Trail Continues | 37.857658, -83.588767
Junction with Osborne Bend Trail | 37.849811, -83.575350
Turn to Osborne Bend Arch | 37.826639, -83.571842
Osborne Bend Arch | 37.826543, -83.571711
Unicorn Arch | 37.825229, -83.572129
Turn to Moonshiners Arch | 37.821183, -83.572894
Moonshiners Arch | 37.821177, -83.571706
Osborne Bend East Trailhead | 37.820294, -83.574561
Copperas Canoe Launch | 37.819858, -83.575122
Gladie Cabin | 37.835211, -83.608878
Red River Gorge Area Map

GPX File

KML File

Parking. Ample parking is available at the Sheltowee Trace Connector Trailhead with the nastiest port-o-let in Red River Gorge. Use the bathroom before you get there. The lot is frequently full on Summer weekends with swimmers and rock jumpers, so get there early.

Water Sources. There are three reliable water sources on this route. Red River is accessible from the west or east endpoints and Gladie Creek in-between.

Trail Navigation. This route uses mostly marked and maintained trails with three exceptions - (1) Cloudsplitter Spur, (2) Adena Arch Spur, and (3) Indian Staircase Loop. The unmarked and unmaintained sections are heavily traveled and easily navigated.

Many user trails exist on this route, so follow the white diamond blazes except for the three side trails described. All turns and major intersections have waypoints listed above and a .gpx file can be uploaded to your preferred hiking app.

In simplest form:

Begin at Sheltowee Connector Trailhead
Turn left (north) at the footbridge
Cross KY-715
Turn left (northeast) to Cloudsplitter
Retrace to Sheltowee and turn left (southeast)
Go straight to Adena Arch (southeast)
Retrace to Sheltowee and turn right (northwest)
Turnaround at Indian Arch
Turn right (west) to Indian Staircase Loop
Turn right (northeast) at the campsite and descend
Continue around the rim
Go past Frog’s Head and Shawnee Arch
Descend (south) Indian Staircase
Turn left (north) on Sheltowee
Continue straight (east) for Lost Branch Trail
Cross Gladie Creek (northeast)
Locate where Lost Trail continues uphill
Turn left (east) at Osborne Bend Trail
Turn left (south) at Osborne Bend Arch Spur
Retrace and turn left (west) on Osborne Bend Trail
Eyes right for Unicorn Arch (I blew by it, but it sits just above the trail in view)
Sharp left (west, almost a U-turn) to Moonshiners Arch
Drop into the arch past the campsite
Retrace to Osborne Bend Trail
Finish Osborne Bend Trail, Cross KY-715
Descend the staircase and turn left to the canoe launch
Refill water and retrace your steps
Take the road west
Turn left into Gladie Visitors Center
Hangout on the porch at Gladie Cabin
Hop back on the road and turn left
Continue to the parking lot
Done

CAUTION - Cloudsplitter. Never attempt to ascend/descend this when wet, icy, or snowy. This is a textbook example of what happens to popular user trails on steep slopes - trenches. The spur trail is a trench with multiple class 2 scrambles leading to the final scramble that is class 3/4 using the crack in the rock. “Ropes” of poor quality have been used over the years with the current iteration attached to vegetation that was coming up off the rock. NEVER use rope that you haven’t inspected from top to bottom. That means you should have someone in your hiking party be experienced in climbing the wide crack (approach right) carrying rope for your group of sufficient quality to support weight. Climb up one at a time. The climb is short and perfectly do-able if you’re in decent shape. While a helmet is always smart, let’s be real - hikers don’t carry helmets. If it’s too much, turnaround. There are plenty of great views along this route. Hell, there are hundreds of overlooks scattered throughout the Red.

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 past the campsite waypoint above 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.

CAUTION - Indian Staircase. Never attempt to ascend/descend this when wet, icy, or snowy. Turn the loop into an out and back instead using the south junction of the loop. When ascending, bear walk 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.

CAUTION - Spaghetti Trails at Gladie Creek. A network of spaghetti trails between campsites has developed on the east side of Gladie Creek. Use the waypoints to avoid wandering as I did on this hike. It’s not a big deal to add an extra quarter or half-mile, but if you’re on a tight timeline, this could be frustrating.

HIKER NOTE - Horse Trails. Portions of Lost Branch and Osborne Bend Trails have horse traffic. Yield to horses by stepping to the downhill side and avoid making sudden movements or loud noises. Most of the muck spots have user trails around them, but plan on getting muddy if it’s been wet.

HIKER NOTE - Add Copperas. You can hike to the falls and back for a simple and easy waterfall hike or do the full monty with nine arches and some off-trail special sauce. There are a number of large campsites along the way as well if you’re backpacking.

HIKER NOTE - Add Tower Rock. Home to arguably the first climbing route in Red River Gorge, it’s a massive piece of rock that comes up seemingly from nowhere. Check it out for the small price of less than a mile extra.

HIKER NOTE - Add Bell Falls. This was trickling along thanks to dry conditions so I skipped it. It’s visible from the road and a short walk to the lower falls with a dirt scramble to the upper falls. In Winter and Spring, this is a really nice stop.

HIKER NOTE - Float Instead. One could easily stash a kayak, canoe, or even a tube to skip the road walk and simply float downriver. At the very low water levels I witnessed on this day, a tube that’s easily picked up would likely have been the floatation device of choice. Of course, after big rains or in Spring, you’d probably want a kayak or canoe or simply stick to the road if it’s too spicy on the river.

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