Explore the best rated trails in Peru, IN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Erie Rail-Trail and Sweetser Switch Trail . With more than 32 trails covering 4014 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Rode from Lagro to Wabash. Well maintained, beautiful scenery, wildlife galore! And just something about riding next to the river makes it a wonderful ride!
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.
Wide paths, beautiful tree scenery. Worth the drive from Louisville!
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!
The entire route is asphalted but a little bumpy when you first leave Lebanon, as well as, when you first leave Thorntown. This route is generally bordered with trees throughout thereby minimizing the effects of wind and excessive sunshine. The stretch from Thorntown to Colfax seemed to have an over abundance of wild black cherry and hackberry trees. Their fruits were all over the trail and were impossible to avoid at this time of the year. Ultimately, I enjoyed the solitude and remoteness of this section.
Had an amazing ride today. Weather helped but trail was great. Completely paved now from Lebanon to Colfax. A little tricky in Thornton but some locals helped us out.
I note that the reviews tend to focus on the Richmond end of the trail. My wife and I decided to check out the northwest segment of the Cardinal Greenway beyond the gap north of Muncie—Jonesboro through Marion. The CG ends just west of Marion but flows seemlessly into the Sweetser Switch Trail and then into the Converse Junction for a total of almost of 18 miles each way.
We decided to stay the night in Marion as a home base and found a B&B called Beatrice The Villa run by a charming Italian couple who also have a superb Italian restaraunt on premises. Marion itself has a rustbelt vibe, but we felt safe and were just 4-5 blocks from the trail with entrances on 9th or 10th street. The trail itself is beautiful and wooded in Marion thru Jonesboro—that was our evening trip—south to the Jonesboro Trailhead and back. There was really only one bad crossing at US 35. The rest either have trestles over roads or are lightly traveled. I dinged the trail one start because at 24 years of age, there are quite a few cracks and bumps that need work in Marion. On Day 2 we did Marion to Converse and back, about a 24 mile round trip. That's more varied with both woods and fields (corn & beans) with lots of wildflowers and birds and a couple of covered bridges. It's worth noting that the Converse Junction now extends into Converse to the main district where you can get ice cream, burgers, beer, BBQ, Pizza from various establishments (fewer options on Sunday).
As you may be aware, The Great American Rail Trail uses the Cardinal Greenway for a major chunk of its route through eastern Indiana. According to a local rider, the trail supporters lost a Supreme Court case with farmers over trail, so they are looking at going through Gas City and Upland to get to the southern segment of the CG. From Converse, a tiny but cute Indiana town with a nice BBQ restaurant, plans are to connect up with the Nickleplate Trail over near US 31 about 16 miles west.
Overall we had a really nice time and would consider doing it again. The B&B was a highlight and perfect for easy access to the trail. Trail condition in Marion needs some work and there's a surprising lack of toilet facilities west of Marion and the Sweetser public toilet was locked. Otherwise it's a 5 star ride.
The Panhandle Pathway is flat, secluded, has a few trailheads for easy access and there are two towns where you can easily grab something to eat (Royal Center and Winimac). The scenery might be a bit monotonous but in this case I found it serene rather than a detriment. Mileage is printed in tenth of a mile increments on the nearly perfect asphalt surface.
I rode the entire 21.5 mile length starting in Winimac heading towards Kenneth. It was an overcast weekday so I only saw one other cyclist on my entire out and back. There are many small road crossings but most of them had no traffic so I don't count that as a negative. I stopped for lunch in Royal Center which was a quick turn off from the trail.
If you are looking for a trial with varied scenery or challenging hills the Panhandle Pathway does not offer it. If you are looking for a quiet, relaxing ride through bucolic farmland the Panhandle Pathway delivers.
Rode segment between Bunker Hill and Denver. Riding thru Peru is very easy with more trail recently added along the Wabash River ( then Canal Street NE, left on Water Street, left on Harrison Avenue, left on Lovers Lane to the trail). Trail has a nice tree canopy. Several ice cream shops to choose from in Peru (East side Double Dip and South Side Scoops both very good). Good pizza at DeAngelos in Denver.
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