Mammoth Cave National Park: Sal Hollow Loop
Traverse boulder fields and skirt eroded hollows on this 10.5-mile loop across the roof of the longest mapped cave system in the world.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 16.8
Waypoints
SHB001
Location: 37.205533, -86.139366
Pick up Sal Hallow Trail about 500 feet south of the parking area.
SHB002
Location: 37.196677, -86.140086
Bear right at Y-junction. Fenced-off Ganter Trail runs southwest from here to Ganter Cave, a wild cave now locked and off-limits to passersby.
SHB003
Location: 37.196903, -86.142675
Cross the first of many streams flowing down into Fishtrap Hollow; watch footing on slick rocks.
SHB004
Location: 37.200017, -86.144477
Water cascades into a hollow. Cool off in small pools nearby.
SHB005
Location: 37.189382, -86.155944
Straight at 4-way, crossing Turnhole Bend Trail.
SHB006
Location: 37.194594, -86.160008
Feeling adventurous? Try to boulder up one of these limestone crags.
SHB007
Location: 37.191574, -86.174103
Cross a spring-fed stream. Its underground tap is 50 feet north of the trail.
SHB008
Location: 37.191929, -86.181436
Cross creek at bottom of Sal Hollow.
SHB009
Location: 37.194563, -86.186588
Switchback out of the hollow. The trail weaves through a limestone boulder field, some of the rocks are so weather-worn they mimic smooth marble.
SHB010
Location: 37.193248, -86.18418
Pass Sal Hollow campsite perched on the rim (permit required).
SHB011
Location: 37.200767, -86.177879
Skirt cliff band, swinging north before bearing right onto a dirt road (Buffalo Trail).
SHB012
Location: 37.198389, -86.156304
Follow Buffalo Trail 1.2 miles northeast back to Waypoint 1.