Explore the best rated trails in Otterbein, IN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Lafayette Linear Park and Panhandle Pathway . With more than 13 trails covering 81 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.
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.
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?
My first trail ride from near the Vermilion County Fairground to the west edge of Oakwood. Very nice ride. Nice scenery along the route. I only wish it was completed so I could go all the way to Urbana.
On a business trip I was able to ride two evenings. Beautiful early fall foliage along the way. Asphalt pavement is smooth and a short gravel run along the old railway. Beautiful crossing of Sugar creek on a wooden bridge structure is a sure place to stop and enjoy the view. Well maintained. Multiple sightings of deer, squirrels, and geese. I will definitely return and bring a road bike or mountain bike.
What a great trail. Mostly wooded. All hard surface. Extremely enjoyable!
I rode the Panhandle Pathway from the Kenneth trailhead to Winimac and back. Overall, it is a good trail for those who are wanting to get away from the crowds and do some riding. There is nothing specific to to tell about the trail except that the Tippecanoe River bridge is very well done. The trail is flat and easy to ride. The Winimac trailhead area is nice because there are public restrooms directly adjacent to the trail. Conversely, the Panhandle is experiencing the inevitable problem that comes with time. There are several areas that have tree roots heaving and then cracking the trail surface.
Rode the Big 4, parking at Thorntown, riding to Colfax and back. The ride was roughly 6 miles one way with limited elevation. The asphalt path is good, a little bumpy out of Thorntown but smooths out for a nice ride. The path was cluttered with vegetation following the storms the day before. This part of the path is well covered providing good shade and wind block. Be sure to notice the birdhouses tucked into the trees as you near Colfax. Enjoy.
I’m an EBiker, and LOVE the solitude! Smooth, paved trail with very short paths invaded by fairly low tree roots. I stopped for lunch at STOOKLEYS which I HIGHLY recommend! Yum! I started in Colfax, at the trail end, and went almost to Lebanon, then turned back, (out and back.) BEAUTIFUL DAY!!
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