Explore the best rated trails in Carmel, IN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Pennsy Trail (IN) and White River Greenway (Carmel) . With more than 63 trails covering 4172 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.
I use this trail once a week or so to ride from Zionsville to the Monon, as it is, to my knowledge, the only direct path connecting the two and for that, I am grateful.
That said, that particular stretch needs some serious love. There are various cutouts in the asphalt where maintenance/utility companies have dug but no one ever patched afterward. Some of the driveway and intersection ramps are brutal and navigating the roundabouts around Highway 31/Meridian can be rough, depending on the time of day. Once you clear the Monon heading east, though, the trail gets much smoother and is significantly more enjoyable, though. I’ve only ridden that stretch a few times, but is lovely. I hope we’ll see some improves on the Zionsville-Carmel stretch someday.
Flat paved path. Does cross two roads, but markings/signs are present for safety. The wooded area is peaceful, wish it was longer.
Rode this trail from the courthouse in Lebanon out almost to Colfax on April 12, 2026. As others have mentioned, there are some bumpy spots (roots upheaving the trail) near Thorntown, so just slow down there. And there's a half-mile stretch where it's a bit overgrown, but still easily passable. Overall, it a great trail and bit of a hidden gem. Very wide in some places; more-so than the B&O trail. Rode a total of 25 miles and just saw a handful of people. There are only a few road crossings and most of those are out in the country, with no traffic. We stopped at Klooz Brewz afterward for some nourishment. It was great!
Great path, had some elevated spots. You do cross two moderate used roads but the path has excellent markings for vehicles.
Ribbon cutting ceremony for the bridge opening was on 27 Feb 26. Today, the trail now extends from Fishers to 82nd ST
We ride this trail a lot but always dread the section passing through Thorntown. The bumps in the trail are one thing as not cheap to repave but the overhanging honeysuckle is easily remedied. We often start on the south side of Thorntown and ride to Lebanon just to avoid this bone rattling stretch.
For many years, I lived in Richmond about half a mile from where the Cardinal Greenway and Gorge trail meet and have spent hundreds of hours riding a bike on the trail. It is by far the best greenway I have used in Indiana and might be my favorite trail of all time. I now live further away, but plan to make drive at least a few times this year to ride on it again.
Here are the highlights:
1. The trail is long. You can spend hours on the trail without having to loop. I'm looking forward to it becoming even longer too as it combines to form a segment of the Great American Rail Trail.
2. It's smooth. There are a few parts here and there that have worn, but overall, the organization does a superb job of keeping up with wear and damage. They also seem to have a robust crowd of volunteers who mow and keep the trail clean and tidy.
3. The trailheads are some of the best I've seen on trails. They are numerous and offer more amenities that many other greenways. Most have a decent amount of parking. Several have drinking fountains and bike tools. During the warm months, they also put out Porta Potties. Of course, there's also small towns along the way with various amenities.
4. The Indiana countryside is beautiful, especially on a sunny spring or summer day. I gained a new appreciation for rural Indiana. Beautiful small, but rolling hills with green pastures and grazing cattle. Small towns with rustic mom-and-pop shops. Amish wagons puttering along. Shaded, wooded areas with quiet rustling leaves. This trail has it all!
What are you waiting for? Get out there.
Great place for walk ride or run. Love this trail and location in connected to an amazing and well maintained county park.
Visited Indianapolis the week before Thanksgiving 2025 for a conference and rode the trail from Carmel to Sheridan and back. It was a warm and sunny November day, which brought out lots of trail users. Downtown Carmel is a delightful place to stop and walk around - show respect for other users and ride slowly through town. Further north the trail opens up with longer distances between road crossings, and far fewer groups walking or jogging. I turned around just before the end of the trail in Sheridan. I see opportunity to some enterprising business owners to develop more options for trail users in Sheridan, but during my ride I stopped at the Speedway just off the trail at Main Street to refuel and take a break. I'm looking forward to some day riding the length of the trail into downtown Indy.
Beautiful trail ride on 11/15/25! It runs along beside a horse trail. You will see lots of farms, cows, chickens and horses and cornfields, loved it, from Amo to Greencastle .Would have give it a 5 star if there would have been bathrooms at the end of the trail.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
