Explore the best rated trails in Peru, IN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Sweetser Switch Trail and Lafayette Linear Park . With more than 33 trails covering 4016 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.
As of July 2025, the path is not yet connected past 465. You can ride approximately six miles from the Monon near the State Fair Grounds (right turn, North of the grounds), and take it. It’s heavily shaded, very flat, and newly paved. It’s one of the most delightful trails in Indianapolis. There’s no really good option to get around 465 right now, but the area has been cleared for paving, so it’s just a matter of time before this connects. Until then, enjoy the out-and-back from the Monon, it’s an absolute delight!
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!
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?
Ok section, kind of dull. Agriculture & cows. Found a bit of shade by a grain elevator for lunch. Several washouts filled with tumbleweeds as you get closer to Lind.
We started in Akron and rode about 18 miles north. Loved it!!!
What a great trail. Mostly wooded. All hard surface. Extremely enjoyable!
We rode about 35 miles of this trail August, 2024. Day 1: D street trailhead to Williamsburg (22 miles round trip). Very rough road in Richmond and heavy traffic at 2 road crossings. Once we got to Webster it was a lovely ride to Williamsburg. Porta-john at Webster and Williamsburg. Nice little shelter with picnic tables in Williamsburg too. Day 2: Williamsburg to Losantville (25 miles round trip). Alternated between wooded areas and open farmland. Saw some animals and birds - including cardinals. The last 3 miles into Losantville follows US 35 and there is a lot of vehicle noise but the trail does not force you to cross US 35. We did walk across 35 in Losantville to gas station for drink and snack - there was some tables and chairs outside. Also used the restroom. Day 3: Medford north to just past US 35 (27 miles round trip). This is roughest part of path we rode. There were not only horizontal cracks but also deep vertical cracks in pavement that were dangerous to bike tires. Not much shade and not very scenic with several heavy traffic rode crossings, including crossing US 35 twice. We did stop at depot in Muncie. Nice restrooms, gift shop and trail info, including mileage chart that I did not find online anywhere.
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.
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