Find the top rated hike trails in West Lafayette, whether you're looking for an easy short hike trail or a long hike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
2024 - we live 1 mile from the trail and can get to it pretty easy. The ride is great. All asphalt and in great shape. Several main roads have to be crossed but all have signal lights to help. Tilden is no longer the end of the trail. There is another ~ 3 miles of new asphalt west of Tilden. A new parking lot was added at 300/900. Enjoy. It’s or go to for weekly rides.
Started at Colfax park and rode through Thorntown to Lebanon. After a break, rode back to starting point. Right at 30mi roundtrip. Sections of trail inside town limits were very bumpy from roots. Probably older original trail sections. Rural sections newer and smooth.
As with most rail trails, this one has tons of invasives. Seems like it was in need of mowing and pruning the sides. It’s asphalt the entire way now which is nice. The bumps are not terrible, and the worst ones are painted in orange. It’s definitely worth doing once if you are from out of the area like me. However it doesn’t have a lot of features compared to some other trails I have been on. For some reason I prefer the Nickel Plate and Converse/Sweetser trails northeast of here. Still 4 out of 5 stars for me.
Great trail. A few bumps from tree roots but mostly smooth. It was very windy the day we rode but enough trees to provide a nice wind break. Started in Colfax-nice parking area. Didn’t notice a restroom. Thorntown got a little confusing to pick up trail but we figured it out. Great photo op Big 4 Trail painted mural under overpass.
Cycled from the trailhead at outside of Lebanon at Ralston to Colfax. It was a bit windy but such a lovely day! The trail has some bumps and ridges in several places but these tend to be grouped in segments and then you get to smooth sections and can get some good roll. We saw very few people and only two other cyclists. Once you get a away from the trailhead on Ralston the trail is quiet and you can enjoy zipping along and seeing the trees and fields. There are some creeks and bridge crossings. When you get to Thorntown the trail appears to deadend on a street with a gravel path across from you. Turn LEFT go down the street and turn right , you will see a blue bench labeled for the BIG FOUR. Follow along the street and you will look and cross to the left by the Lions Clin Oavikkion. FoRide the sidewalk until you link back up onto the trail on your way to Colfax.
This is more a sidewalk. It is a miserable ride at best. As others mentioned you are right beside a very busy road - dirt, debris and noise. You are also are at constant risk from the many neighborhood entrances you must cross. It is not a route to ride for fun or enjoyment. Ride this only if you need to get somewhere and want to be a tiny bit safer than riding on the busy street.
This segment is now connected to Zionsville. Great progress!
Trail is now connected to Whitestown segment and Whitestown has been extended out to CR 500E. Great progress!
Great to see the added length in Hendricks county.
My first time, on this really fun trail. I went from the NorthSide Kokomo trailhead (where hwy 931 meets hwy 35, (portable potties available) to downtown and back, took about an hour, past really cool old factories, rails on the side, and what looked like fun bars to stop at, for instance, a brewery in a former train station converted into restaurants! Also many other LOCAL BARS and EATERIES!! Very smooth trail, not a lot of shade, so a beautiful ride on a cool sunny day for me! THANKS KOKOMO for the INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE TRAIL!!
Started in Rochester and went 10 miles out and back for a 20 miler. A beautiful ride! The crossings can be hard to see because of the angle of the road crossings. Other than that, there is a beautiful creek just after Birmingham heading south. I live in Michigan but would love to do this trail in its entirety in the future! I appreciate the friendly people of Rochester, IN, for giving me insight on the trail, etc!
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