Find the top rated trails in Decatur, whether you're looking an easy walking path or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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The Cardinal Greenway, the longest rail-trail in Indiana, stretches more than 60 miles from Marion to Richmond along a former CSX railroad corridor. The trail takes its name from the Cardinal, the...
Columbia City’s Blue River Trail weaves throughout the small city along the banks of the Eel River, linking residents with schools, businesses, activity hubs and parks. The main trailhead, which...
Although short at less than 1 mile long, the Paradise Spring Riverwalk Trail is well worth a trip. Located in eastern Wabash, the scenic loop trail winds through Paradise Spring Historical Park and...
The St. Joseph River Greenway begins on the southern outskirts of the small town of St. Joe, not far from the Indiana–Ohio border. The short paved trail (just over 1 mile long) runs through a scenic...
The short Union City Gateway Trail is significant in that it was the first trail to cross the Indiana–Ohio border. A highlight along the paved pathway is the beautifully landscaped park on both sides...
The DeKalb County Trail was constructed in 1976 and is called Indiana's first rail-trail. It runs between Morning Star Rd. at the Greenhurst Country Club in Auburn and Cedar Street along Wayne Street...
The Celina Coldwater Bikeway is an early rail-with-trail project from the 1980s. Long a popular trail, users follow the Penn Central Railroad between the village of Coldwater and the city of Celina,...
The Fishing Line Trail will someday span 12 miles between the cities of Kendallville and Rome City, Indiana. Noble Trails, the group behind this project, is in the process of acquiring the parcels...
The Decatur Greenway is an extensive collection of trails linking parks and other amenities on the eastern side of Decatur, Indiana. Begin your journey at the loop around Adams Memorial Hospital,...
The Rieke Park Trail runs behind the large community park in Auburn, Indiana, on an abandoned New York Central Railroad corridor. The paved trail is shaded for most of its route, although it emerges...
The Miami & Erie Canal was built between 1825 and 1845, an engineering marvel stretching from Cincinnati to Toledo. This canal was heavily used until competition from the railroad caused the decline...
When envisioning a canal towpath trail, most people probably picture a path surfaced with crushed stone where mules once led barges up an adjacent canal. Indeed, this is what once occupied the site of...
The name Pufferbelly comes from the historic nickname for a steam locomotive. This rail-trail stretches a total of 2.25 miles. There is a 1.25 mile segment from the Pentolina Grove neighborhood on...
The Lima Rotary Riverwalk trail follows the southeast bank of the meandering Ottowa River between Heritage Park southwest of Lima and Schoonover Park northeast of city center. At its north end, the...
It may be only 3 miles long, but the Sweetser Switch Trail is nearly bursting with unique features and small-town charm. Like many things in Sweetser, the main trailhead is located right in the middle...
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The White River Greenway in Muncie follows the course of its namesake river through the city between W. White River Boulevard at W. River Road and N. Gavin Street at Bunch Boulevard. The trail...
The Franklin Township Greenway Trail runs on flat terrain through conservation, agriculture and residential areas just beyond the southern shoreline of Grand Lake, Ohio’s largest inland lake. Portions...
The Rivergreenway is a 24-mile linear park within the cities of Fort Wayne and New Haven in Allen County, Indiana. The trail consists of three main branches along the banks of the St. Marys, St....
The Miami & Erie Canal was built between 1825 and 1845, an engineering marvel stretching from Cincinnati to Toledo. This canal was heavily used until competition from the railroad caused the decline...
The Cardinal Greenway, the longest rail-trail in Indiana, stretches more than 60 miles from Marion to Richmond along a former CSX railroad corridor. The trail takes its name from the Cardinal, the...
The Celina Coldwater Bikeway is an early rail-with-trail project from the 1980s. Long a popular trail, users follow the Penn Central Railroad between the village of Coldwater and the city of Celina,...
The name Pufferbelly comes from the historic nickname for a steam locomotive. This rail-trail stretches a total of 2.25 miles. There is a 1.25 mile segment from the Pentolina Grove neighborhood on...
The short Union City Gateway Trail is significant in that it was the first trail to cross the Indiana–Ohio border. A highlight along the paved pathway is the beautifully landscaped park on both sides...
The White River Greenway in Muncie follows the course of its namesake river through the city between W. White River Boulevard at W. River Road and N. Gavin Street at Bunch Boulevard. The trail...
The DeKalb County Trail was constructed in 1976 and is called Indiana's first rail-trail. It runs between Morning Star Rd. at the Greenhurst Country Club in Auburn and Cedar Street along Wayne Street...
The Franklin Township Greenway Trail runs on flat terrain through conservation, agriculture and residential areas just beyond the southern shoreline of Grand Lake, Ohio’s largest inland lake. Portions...
The St. Joseph River Greenway begins on the southern outskirts of the small town of St. Joe, not far from the Indiana–Ohio border. The short paved trail (just over 1 mile long) runs through a scenic...
When envisioning a canal towpath trail, most people probably picture a path surfaced with crushed stone where mules once led barges up an adjacent canal. Indeed, this is what once occupied the site of...
It may be only 3 miles long, but the Sweetser Switch Trail is nearly bursting with unique features and small-town charm. Like many things in Sweetser, the main trailhead is located right in the middle...
Although short at less than 1 mile long, the Paradise Spring Riverwalk Trail is well worth a trip. Located in eastern Wabash, the scenic loop trail winds through Paradise Spring Historical Park and...
The Lima Rotary Riverwalk trail follows the southeast bank of the meandering Ottowa River between Heritage Park southwest of Lima and Schoonover Park northeast of city center. At its north end, the...
Columbia City’s Blue River Trail weaves throughout the small city along the banks of the Eel River, linking residents with schools, businesses, activity hubs and parks. The main trailhead, which...
The Rivergreenway is a 24-mile linear park within the cities of Fort Wayne and New Haven in Allen County, Indiana. The trail consists of three main branches along the banks of the St. Marys, St....
The Decatur Greenway is an extensive collection of trails linking parks and other amenities on the eastern side of Decatur, Indiana. Begin your journey at the loop around Adams Memorial Hospital,...
The Fishing Line Trail will someday span 12 miles between the cities of Kendallville and Rome City, Indiana. Noble Trails, the group behind this project, is in the process of acquiring the parcels...
The Rieke Park Trail runs behind the large community park in Auburn, Indiana, on an abandoned New York Central Railroad corridor. The paved trail is shaded for most of its route, although it emerges...
The Fishing Line Trail will someday span 12 miles between the cities of Kendallville and Rome City, Indiana. Noble Trails, the group behind this project, is in the process of acquiring the parcels...
The Decatur Greenway is an extensive collection of trails linking parks and other amenities on the eastern side of Decatur, Indiana. Begin your journey at the loop around Adams Memorial Hospital,...
The Miami & Erie Canal was built between 1825 and 1845, an engineering marvel stretching from Cincinnati to Toledo. This canal was heavily used until competition from the railroad caused the decline...
The Rieke Park Trail runs behind the large community park in Auburn, Indiana, on an abandoned New York Central Railroad corridor. The paved trail is shaded for most of its route, although it emerges...
The White River Greenway in Muncie follows the course of its namesake river through the city between W. White River Boulevard at W. River Road and N. Gavin Street at Bunch Boulevard. The trail...
The Franklin Township Greenway Trail runs on flat terrain through conservation, agriculture and residential areas just beyond the southern shoreline of Grand Lake, Ohio’s largest inland lake. Portions...
It may be only 3 miles long, but the Sweetser Switch Trail is nearly bursting with unique features and small-town charm. Like many things in Sweetser, the main trailhead is located right in the middle...
The Lima Rotary Riverwalk trail follows the southeast bank of the meandering Ottowa River between Heritage Park southwest of Lima and Schoonover Park northeast of city center. At its north end, the...
Columbia City’s Blue River Trail weaves throughout the small city along the banks of the Eel River, linking residents with schools, businesses, activity hubs and parks. The main trailhead, which...
Although short at less than 1 mile long, the Paradise Spring Riverwalk Trail is well worth a trip. Located in eastern Wabash, the scenic loop trail winds through Paradise Spring Historical Park and...
The DeKalb County Trail was constructed in 1976 and is called Indiana's first rail-trail. It runs between Morning Star Rd. at the Greenhurst Country Club in Auburn and Cedar Street along Wayne Street...
The Celina Coldwater Bikeway is an early rail-with-trail project from the 1980s. Long a popular trail, users follow the Penn Central Railroad between the village of Coldwater and the city of Celina,...
The short Union City Gateway Trail is significant in that it was the first trail to cross the Indiana–Ohio border. A highlight along the paved pathway is the beautifully landscaped park on both sides...
The Cardinal Greenway, the longest rail-trail in Indiana, stretches more than 60 miles from Marion to Richmond along a former CSX railroad corridor. The trail takes its name from the Cardinal, the...
The St. Joseph River Greenway begins on the southern outskirts of the small town of St. Joe, not far from the Indiana–Ohio border. The short paved trail (just over 1 mile long) runs through a scenic...
The name Pufferbelly comes from the historic nickname for a steam locomotive. This rail-trail stretches a total of 2.25 miles. There is a 1.25 mile segment from the Pentolina Grove neighborhood on...
When envisioning a canal towpath trail, most people probably picture a path surfaced with crushed stone where mules once led barges up an adjacent canal. Indeed, this is what once occupied the site of...
The Rivergreenway is a 24-mile linear park within the cities of Fort Wayne and New Haven in Allen County, Indiana. The trail consists of three main branches along the banks of the St. Marys, St....
The stretch from Bloody Bridge to St Mary's brings you very close to the canal, and the scenic farm land, forests, and ponds make it a memorable hike.
The Bloody Bridge parking situation is pretty carefree, so don't expect too much. Starting the trail from Bloody Bridge and going South is slightly confusing because you can take two routes.
First, you can walk next to the canal until you get to 66, but this part does not have gravel (at least when we went) and the grass may be high if they haven't mowed lately. Your other option is to walk the road that parallels the canal, until it dead ends into 66. We did both, but will probably stick to the road in the future because the path has some sink holes.
The big stops on this stretch are Lock 14, and the massive 40 acre ponds. Lock 14 is very scenic, and worth stopping to investigate. Per the Canal Booklet - Originally wooden, this lock was converted to concrete in 1907. The 2003 renovation includes a pedestrian bridge and parking lot. The booklet also mentions the 40 acre ponds were created as a result of the canal crossing the St. Marys river flood plane. The area next to the ponds is very peaceful, and is a standout feature on this part of the trail.
The Bloody Bridge to St Marys stretch of the Miami & Erie Canal Towpath really provides a nice scenic walk by the canal that I highly recommend. If you're looking for an off-cement walk, next to a canal and several large ponds, I think this hike is the perfect site.
7 bird species noted this AM. Some shade. Also exposed areas so best to walk early AM in summer. Bathrooms accessible in Morsches Park, at least in morning. Easy stroll along macadam.
You ride on a paved trail through some peaceful marshes and wetlands. Since you ride through habitat for abundant wildlife it can be hazardous at times. One ride had encounters with hundreds of frogs, bats, possums, raccoons, stork and deer. The trail passes by two water treatment plants which smell awful
A short little paved path around some old cabins and down by the river. We were the only ones and made several laps on the loops. I imagine during a busy time or when there is camping this might be a better walk than ride but perfect for an early June evening bike ride!
I rode the trail from the Super 8 motel in Gas City which accommodated parking my vehicle there for the overnight. The road portion was OK but GPS is pretty much a requirement. I rode the trail on a fairly heavily laden touring bike to The Seldom Scene Meadow B&B. Leighanne was a great hostess and the place is very nice.The Cardinal is a very fast trail and was in great shape for early in the year. Lots of twigs on the trail but that is to be expected on a rail trail. There are places to reprovision water and snacks near the trail all the way. The only thing I didn't care for about about this ride were the many busy road crossings and the presence of busy highways nearly the length of the ride. Everything else about this trail is exceptional.
The path was well paved and the signs were visible. It was cool to go through downtown Ft. Wayne and see the historic fort. It was also nice to see the biking depot and some beautiful homes along the trail.
Stayed at Holiday Inn Express across from Allen County Indoor Arena.Ran across pedestrian bridge over St Joseph River towards IUPFW campus.Initially went South towards downtown but trail eventually followed city road after about 3/4 mile.Turned around and went North past bridge through campus.Gorgeous route there!Leaves were peaking during visit.Would advise crossing bridge and just running through campus trail rather than going South from bridge.Enjoyed this run in Fort Wayne.
Excellent trail, we rode from Gaston to Richmond. SPENT the night at the very clean and quiet KOA IN one of their cabins. I think the only downside of the ride was trying to get thru MUNCIE. All blacktop surface makes a good ride. Lots of friendly people along the ride.
I only had time to ride 5 miles at the head of the trail, but it is gorgeous.
Wonderful variety of scenary along the river. Great condition. Some terrain changes to make it a good cardio workout. Highly recommend this route.
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