Explore the best rated trails in Fowler, IN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Veterans Memorial Trail (IN) and Covington Circle Trail . With more than 14 trails covering 3843 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.
The Thorntown parks and recreation dept needs to step it up a notch on this section of the trail. The bumps are so significant it jars my teeth and nearly throws me off the bike. Most of the rest of the trail from Lebanon to Colfax is just fine.
There was some work done on the 1 1/2 mile section just out of Lebanon, which is now relatively smooth. Thorntown needs to fix that one or two sections. The one just after the street cross-over bridge coming into Thorntown and then the most horrible section from Thorntown to the bridge crossing over the river. That section is bone jarring.
The Panhandle Pathway is a beautiful and expanding trail--with the most recent addition being northward through Winamac. The Friends of the Panhandle Pathway are collaborating with the Prairie Trails Club, supporters of the Erie Trail (including the Great American Rail Trail and American Discovery Trail), on defining a backroads share-the-road asphalt connector between the two non-motorized and walker routes.
The final section of this trail along the wabash river on the west side was officially completed first week of August…the trail is now a complete “circle” and just under 7 miles in length.
My husband and I rode this trail on 8-22-25. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and thought the trail was relatively well maintained. Some have complained about branches and rough surfaces but we did not find it bad at all. We are used to riding country roads in much worse conditions. We rode to Colfax and stopped to enjoy a meal at Pizza King. I highly recommend this stop! It had a small town friendliness and great service. We enjoyed a sub sandwich, salad, breadsticks, and milkshake. The breadsticks were outstanding as well as the handcrafted shakes- so many flavors from which to choose. We split the buckeye shake and it was delicious!
Despite the hot July day we had a terrific ride on this beautiful trail along the river. Rode the entire trail from the east end parking lot. Loved that most of trail was paved - despite some “heaving” due to tree roots and unexpected “dips”. Several bridges to cross and a special “lookout” over the river. The majority of trail is in the shade due to the many trees and beautiful canopy. Rode by an amazing oak savanna- making this a great trail. Can highly recommend this bike trail!!
Fully agree with May and June 2025 Trailink Review postings. Highly recommended, but see warnings about surface below. Rode from Sam Ralston Rd. trailhead on North side of Lebanon to Colfax terminus and back (approx. 14.5 mi. one way) on warm sunny weekday. Approx. 2/3’s of trail is wide newer asphalt, very smooth, with the only surface issues tree debris and chipmunks. Route is well shaded, at least %50 at midday. Relatively few road crossings, maybe 10-12 max outside of the towns, and almost all are “soft”, gravel country roads with very little traffic. Only a dozen other users encountered.
There are no hills, one minor dip and rise, but perhaps a slight downhill grade generally from Lebanon to Colfax. I averaged 14 to 14.5 mph going out but on ln 12.5 to 13 coming back in little wind. The route is mostly arrow straight, with just a few shallow curves.
There are porta-potties at Thorton and Colfax, shaded picnic tables in both places, but no water fountains.
Trail through Thornton is not marked, but easy to follow; you jog ½ block south to a street heading into downtown, then at the main drag jog north ½ block to where trail resumes next to a white building which is the last on the west side of the street.
WARNINGS: surface coming out of Lebanon is terrible for 1st 200 yards, big potholes and expansion bumps, then 1 to 2” expansion bumps for the next 2 miles, every 100 to 200 feet, most of the worst are marked, including one the height of curb you probably have to stop for. Most of the bumps can be navigated around by weaving over to the lowest section, but you must keep constant watch on the surface. For approximately 1.5 miles around Thornton and for a short stretch between county roads 300 and 500 West the bumps resume, but less severe.
ALL THAT SAID, the unique attraction of this trail are the recently paved sections, where you get the glorious sensation of a gliding along alone through an empty green tunnel that extends literally for miles, as far as you can see, out ahead.
they've extended the trail north in winamac from 11th to 17th Street. adding a half mile to the trail.
Road this today from trailhead in Colfax to Lebanon and most of the trail is enjoyable, but there’s parts where they really need to trim some of the branches and MOW along the sides of the trail!
Really love this trail, hometown trail and ride it 3-4 times a week. Only thing I wish is they would improve some of the paved trail that needs fixing (cracks/etc)
Cons: zero markings and multiple options made it somewhat stressful to navigate so I would not recommend it. At least half is by roads. Pros: good pavement. Partly next to Purdue campus. Small section of Cattail marsh was pretty.
This is one of the best trails in the central Indiana region but is in need of significant maintenance where pavement is buckling. For at least 2 miles from the trailhead in Lebanon toward Thorntown, the bumps are severe. Also, either side of Thorntown for about a mile each direction is just as bad. At the very least, the areas should be highlighted with paint. It has been this way for a couple of years now...does Boone County not care about the upkeep of this trail?
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