Hard

Sheltowee Trace Trail

Parkers Lake, Kentucky · Whitley County

Sheltowee Trace Trail is a hard hiking trail near Parkers Lake in Whitley County, Kentucky.. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.

🧭 Get Directions 🗺️ Open in OSM

36.86014, -84.31346

Open in OpenStreetMap

5-Day Forecast

Weather at Sheltowee Trace Trail

Live forecast for the trailhead. Use it to pack and time your hike.

Avg High87°F

Avg Low65°F

Peak Rain Chance24%

Humidity69%

UV (avg)8

Air Quality61 · Moderate

Today

🌦

Drizzle

92°/71°

💧 12%🌬 12mph

↑ 6:39 AM ↓ 8:47 PM

Wed

🌤

Mostly Clear

86°/68°

🌬 9mph

↑ 6:40 AM ↓ 8:46 PM

Thu

☀️

Clear

85°/63°

🌬 8mph

↑ 6:41 AM ↓ 8:45 PM

Fri

☁️

Overcast

89°/59°

🌬 4mph

↑ 6:42 AM ↓ 8:44 PM

Sat

⛈

Thunderstorm + Hail

82°/66°

💧 24%🌬 11mph

↑ 6:43 AM ↓ 8:44 PM

Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.

About Sheltowee Trace Trail

Sheltowee Trace Trail is a hard hiking trail near Parkers Lake in Whitley County, Kentucky.. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.

What “Hard” Means

Steep, technical, or long. Requires good fitness and experience.

Difficulty is derived from OpenStreetMap’s Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hiking scale, trail visibility, surface, distance, and elevation gain. Always verify current conditions before heading out.

What to Pack & Wear

Personalised to this trail’s length, elevation, difficulty, and the live forecast.

👔 What to Wear

👕
UPF sun shirt (long sleeve)
Cooler than direct sun on bare skin.
🩳
Light shorts/skirt
Loose-fit, breathable.
🧢
Wide-brimmed sun hat
Plus a buff/bandana you can wet for cooling.
🕶
Polarized sunglasses
Critical for glare from sun + sand/water.

🎒 What to Pack

💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
🧴
Sun protection (UV 8)
SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
🔦
Headlamp + spare batteries
Long days can run late — never rely on phone flashlight alone.
🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.

Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.

Trail Safety in Kentucky

Trail conditions in Kentucky change with weather, season, and fire activity. Closures, washouts, and rerouting are common. Before heading out:

Check with the land manager for current conditions and closures
Tell someone your plan and expected return time
Know your turn-around limits — conditions can change fast
Carry the 10 essentials: water, food, navigation, first aid, light, fire, shelter, knife, sun protection, extra clothes

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is Sheltowee Trace Trail?

Sheltowee Trace Trail is rated Hard. Steep, technical, or long — good fitness and experience recommended.

Can I ride a bike on Sheltowee Trace Trail?

Yes — bicycles are allowed on this trail.

When is the best time to hike Sheltowee Trace Trail?

Kentucky has trail conditions that vary by season. Spring and fall usually offer the best mix of temperature and trail conditions. Check the 5-day forecast above for current outlook. Always verify trail status (closures, washouts, fire restrictions) with the local land manager before going.

References & Maps

View original OpenStreetMap record — source data
Open OpenStreetMap at trailhead
Driving directions (Google Maps)

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Hiker on a high alpine ridge above a glacial valley

Photo: Tobias MrzykHardKY

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