Prairie-Duneland Trail:
Indiana
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Description:
As its name implies, a trip on the beautiful Prairie-Duneland Trail offers snapshots of the flora and fauna-from hardwood forest to remnant prairie grasslands-that once dominated this region. In spite of the rapid development of the south Chicago suburbs spilling into northwest Indiana, this trail ensures the preservation of these invaluable pockets of land. The trail also offers a classic rail-trail experience, with a long, level grade and a 10-foot-wide asphalt surface that is suitable for bicycles and inline skates (and cross-country skis in winter), and is ADA accessible.
Starting in Chesterton, the trail makes its way toward Portage and on west to Hobart passing well-manicured subdivisions. The sights and signs of town life begin to fade away just a mile and a half into the ride as you enter a lightly forested area with farm fields interspersed along the way. In between, and in some cases intermingled with, these areas you will encounter remnants of tall-grass prairie environments.
In several sections, a veritable tunnel of vegetation envelops the trail, with the dense forest canopy creating a lush passageway. Coming out of one such section at just past 3 miles, you encounter a 130-plus-foot bridge that travels over Route 149 and takes you into the section of trail through Portage. The next stretch-approximately 2 miles-takes you through an area crossing a small creek drainage as well as a couple streets.
Near mile 5, backyards and residential subdivisions begin to dominate the landscape. After the trail passes beneath Interstate 80, it travels through another pocket of forest. The remaining 5-mile stretch to the trail's end at Highway 51 in Hobart, is bordered mostly by neatly kept backyards.
In the future, the Prairie-Duneland Trail will link with other trails, including the Oak Savannah Trail, to form the Lake Michigan Heritage Greenway and connect communities all along the south shore of Lake Michigan. This system will cross three counties and stretch over 40 miles from Hammond, Indiana, to Michigan City, Indiana.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To access the eastern trailhead on S. Jackson Avenue in Chesterton, take Interstate 94 to Highway 49 and head south for 1.25 miles. Turn right on Porter Avenue and go 1.5 miles. Turn right onto S. 15th Street and turn left on W. Morgan Avenue after 0.2 mile. After 0.1 mile, turn right on S. Jackson and look for the trailhead on the right.
To reach the trailhead in Hobart, take I-94 to Highway 51 (Ripley Street/Adam Benjamin Highway), and head south for 3.25 miles. (Highway 51 changes names twice in this short distance-first Randolph Street, the Hobart Road). The trailhead is on the left of Hobart Road, just prior the intersection of Hobat Road and Cleveland Avenue.

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Great trail
By trisha925 in November, 2009
One of the most pleasant and scenic trails we've experienced so far! Nice long ride and a great workout. The bridge over Route 149 is especially challenging. We found Wagner's Rib joint in Porter as a refuel rest stop before trekking back to Hobart; a wonderful way to enjoy an Indian Summer afternoon and rack up a 20 mile trip.
Dry!
By sgenoves116 in September, 2008
I ran the from the east trailpoint (Chesterton) 7 of the 10 miles yesterday. That portion of the trail was bone dry. No flooding issues.
Rt 6 and the Prairie-Duneland Trail
By hikermama in February, 2008
Good news to those that like the Praire-Duneland Trail....they are widening Rt 6 and it looks like they are taking the trail under the new road just like they did at Willowcreek Road....The trail is such a wonderful place to get in your daily exercise and it is quite peaceful and pleasant...it is the best place in Portage,In
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