Indian Staircase Loop + Adena Arch and Cloudsplitter Spurs

Map of Indian Staircase Loop + Adena Arch and Cloudsplitter, Red River Gorge

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

Overview. This is a classic Red River Gorge hike with all the crowds to go with it - and that’s why we hit it on a Monday…in November:-) Stops at Adena Arch, Indian Arch, Cloudsplitter, Frog’s Head, and Indian Staircase make for a fantastic day - just be sure your crew can handle the scrambles at Indian Staircase and Cloudsplitter. And remember - better to turn back and hike another day if it’s not right for you!

Route Type | Loop and Spurs
Total Distance | 8.3 miles
Elevation Gain | 1,664 feet
Overall Difficulty | Moderate + Two Scrambles
portions of this hike are on unmarked, unmaintained trail
the scrambles on Indian Staircase & Cloudsplitter can be deadly

GPS Waypoints
Trailhead | 37.836933, -83.609483
Bison Way-Sheltowee Trace Intersection | 37.842508, -83.611547
Indian Arch | 37.842900, -83.616147
Adena Arch | 37.839297, -83.612711
Cloudsplitter-Sheltowee Trace Intersection | 37.837594, -83.622650
Cloudsplitter Scramble | 37.838119, -83.621489
Cloudsplitter Overlook | 37.837294, -83.620350
Indian Staircase Loop-Sheltowee Trace West Intersection | 37.842606, -83.617211
Indian Staircase Loop Rock Shelter | 37.847511, -83.619267
Frog’s Head | 37.846963, -83.616787
Indian Staircase | 37.846224, -83.615890
Indian Staircase Loop-Sheltowee Trace East Intersection | 37.844347, -83.614225

Trailhead. Limited parking is available at the Bison Way Trailhead and along KY-715. From April through October, weekend parking may not be available. [map]

Trail navigation. Though portions of this hike are off the marked/maintained trail system, it’s relatively easy to navigate using the GPS waypoints provided. Begin by moving up Bison Way Trail to reach an intersection less than 1/10th of a mile into this hike. Turn right (northeast) to stay on Bison Way Trail until reaching the intersection with Sheltowee Trace at mile 0.55. Turn left (west) to follow Sheltowee Trace past a number of user trails and around the base of the cliffline that is in view from mid-Fall through mid-Spring. Once you’re up against the cliff wall, continue looking up and to the right to see Indian Arch from below. Continue climbing until reaching Indian Arch up top past the wooden staircase. Continue on Sheltowee Trace until reaching a sharp bend. Continue straight/leftish to take the spur to Adena Arch. Retrace your steps and follow Sheltowee Trace until reaching the turn to Cloudsplitter that is recognized by a wide user trail with a CS carved in a tree (BTW, never carve trees or rock). Turn uphill and take the steep-ish trench path uphill until reaching the scramble section. This may or may not have a ‘found’ rope attached to a rather small tree that will at some point succumb to hiker use. Tread carefully up the rock face or take the alternate route doing some light free climbing between the split in the rock on approach right. If this scramble is too much for you, skip it. There are better views in the Gorge and no view is worth your life. Once up top, walk out to the overlook that has a nice view down the seam of Red River. Retrace your steps to make your way back to Sheltowee Trace and turn left. Continue until reaching the Indian Staircase Loop marked by a wide user trail and just past an official sign post that has been painted up. This will take you along the ridge. Reach a well defined campsite and find the user trail to the right closest to the cliff. Take this trail that will keep you inches from the cliffline and make your way to the rock shelter. The white-haired goldenrod is an endemic and rare species - it only grows in rock shelters at Red River Gorge. Stay behind the fencing and don’t step on any plants in the area. There’s plenty of bald sand and rock to hike here. Continue around the rim, staying close to the cliffline before reaching Frog’s Head. From there, continue around a short distance before finding a large bald area at the top of Indian Staircase. Descend carefully (crabwalking preferred) while maintaining a low center of gravity and three points of contact at all times. At various points, the safest path is to switchback to find more level, less intense grading. Make your way down past the staircase to reach a root section between some rocks. As you descend here, it’s best to plant your feet on solid ground, as the roots here have taken a beating from prior users. Continue until joining the Sheltowee Trace and turn left. Turn right at the marked intersection with Bison Way Trail to return to the parking lot.

CAUTION - Scramble at Cloudsplitter. While there was a rope on this day, it may not always be there - and that little tree that anchors the rope 100% won’t be there with the level of use/abuse its experiencing. When climbing any ‘found’ rope, treat it with the greatest degree of skepticism. Also, there is another route using the split rock on approach right if you have rudimentary climbing skills. I suggest skipping this in wet/icy/snowy conditions. And if you’re not comfortable, don’t go. There are better views in the area that won’t put life and limb at risk.

CAUTION - Scramble at Indian Staircase. LaFonda insisted on descending the staircase which always seems sketchier. When descending, crab-walking is the way to go - keep your butt near the ground and use all fours to walk it down making sure to place your heel squarely within each of the ‘stairs’. If you’re out there in wet/icy/snowy conditions, skip the staircase and descend instead on the opposite end of the loop that intersects with Sheltowee Trace.

CAUTION - Not appropriate for children. There is zero chance I’d take young children on this hike. Zero. That said, teens love this kind of stuff. As a rule, checkout this type of hike before you bring younger, less experienced, or less physically fit hikers.

CAUTION - Cliffs. Be careful to avoid getting too close the edge of cliffs, as this is the leading cause of serious injury and death when hiking in Red River Gorge.

CAUTION - Poisonous snakes. While the gorge is within the range of timber rattlesnakes, copperheads are the most common poisonous snake encountered. Stay alert on the trail, as snakes are commonly found taking in the warmth of the trail. Give them a wide berth or wait for them to move off the trail.

CAUTION - Bears. Black bears are growing in number throughout Daniel Boone National Forest. Be sure to follow bear safety precautions. [Be Bear Aware by US Forest Service]

Bison Way Trailhead, Red River Gorge

Last Known Photo at Bison Way Trailhead, Red River Gorge

Trail Sign at Bison Way and Sheltowee Trace Intersection, Red River Gorge

Looking Up at the Indian Staircase Loop Cliffline, Red River Gorge

View of Indian Arch from Below on Sheltowee Trace, Red River Gorge

Indian Arch on Sheltowee Trace, Red River Gorge

Inside Adena Arch, Red River Gorge

View from the Top of Cloudsplitter Scramble, Red River Gorge

Cloudsplitter Overlook, Red River Gorge

Frog’s Head, Red River Gorge

Indian Staircase from the Top, Red River Gorge