Explore the best rated trails in South Bend, IN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Prairie Duneland Trail and Granger Paths . With more than 51 trails covering 3988 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.
We began our ride on the far north end, at the Plym Park trailhead in Niles. Parking is more than adequate and very safe. However, as with the entire trail, there are no modern bathrooms. Simply a porta-potty every now and then. Plym Park seems like such a nice place and we were pretty surprised at the lack of facilities there.
The first 2.5 miles is probably not our favorite that we've ever done, and that's trying very hard to be diplomatic. The signage was non-existent, the crossings were poorly marked (especially the first major crossings at Wayne St and M-139. No buttons to push for crossing at a very dangerous and partially obstructed intersection. At worst, they need a push-button flashing yellow, probably a Hawk light. Either way, we made it past there to the riverfront part of the trail. Again, lots of beauty here, but it was hard to take your eyes off of the trail in front of you because the roots that have undergrown this part of the trail have caused massive bumps and ruts. This continued for the entirety of the Niles (city) part of the trail until we reached Fort Street, a little over 2 miles in to the journey. We had decided to ride the hybrids today and not the road bikes. We were very glad we had made that decision.
Once we crossed over Fort Street, we rode along a fairly new section of the trail alongside 3rd Street. This was MUCH better pavement conditions. However, about a half mile down, you are required to cross this very busy street with (again) no lights, no flashers, etc., just on your own with some white paint on the road. Crossing over, you ride a circular trail cut through a nature park, which is nice because it takes you away from this very busy street. (It was our bad luck that a very large tree had come down overnight and forced us to "portage" over this tree! Never had that experience before.) Once back to 3rd St., you hit US12, which is a major road. Fortunately, there are very good pedestrian crossing signals here, and we didn't have any issues in either direction. Crossing this, you are dead-straight North/South for the next 3.5 miles until you are almost on Notre Dame's campus. This is a very nice ride with the exception that there are probably seven or eight cross streets so a lot of stops. Not dangerous crossings, but ones that prevent you from going a nice distance to stretch your legs out.
Once you reach Douglas Road and Business US 31, you are on the NW tip of the campus. Lots of great places to ride there which are not part of this trail, so I won't talk about them here.
Overall, it's a decent trail and the City of Niles is actively working on it, patching many of the bad spots with new pavement, as well as clearing brush and trees that are encroaching, so props to them for their efforts. Unfortunately, there are just SO many place that need fixing, they are fighting a losing battle against those tree roots. We're glad we got to finally experience this trail. Unfortunately, its lack of facilities and poor pavement quality make it a three-star at best, and that's only to the south of Niles. North of Fort St, no more than two.
Have always loved this trail. Peaceful ride. Only thing is we just went down it on 7/6/2024. It needs a lot of repairs soon or it isn't going to last long. Sad because we love riding this trail.
Very well kept and comfortable trail. Effective July '24 extends an additional mile or so beyond what's indicated here, along the Sylvan Lake dam on the west end.
This is such a nice trail. Part of it is nice and secluded while other parts are next to the road. It's definitely worth riding.
We love riding both sections of the Nickle Plate trail. However the section in the middle though the town of Peru isn't the most enjoyable. It's not really well marked.
This trail is very poorly marked through the downtown area. No directional signs or designated bike lanes. I was completely confused about where I should be biking- street or sidewalk? Connecting to the pumpkinvine trail took a lot of guess work and stopping to check my google map.
In April a limestone parking area was added to the east side of Starke County Road 700 East adjacent to the current southeast trailhead. On May 25 a 5K Run and 3K Walk was held beginning a few feet northwest of this location. The starting point for the event is painted on the pavement with the turnarounds for the 5K Run and 3 Walk also painted--for persons training for other competitions and a possible repeat event here in 2025.
First- many kudos to the people who care for this trail. Thank you!! We rode the trail from Shipshewana to Gohshen yesterday and my wife and I found ourselves saying Wow at nearly every turn. Although there are quite a few road crossings none were problematic. This is not a trail to get on and go flat out for exercise rather it is a trail to go at a relaxing pace and enjoy the scenery and the many people who are also enjoying the trail. We will do the trail again in the fall.
I look forward to doing a marathon training long run on trail starting between Shipshewana and Middlebury towards Goshen every year! Such a great and scenic trail.
We enjoyed this trail very much. We started out in Goshen and headed west to Middlebury. I wish we could have ridden all the way to Shipshewana, but will have to save that for another time! Farmland for as far as you can see to the left and the right on the path. The path is true to its name as it winds through farmland. We saw groups of Amish playing baseball. We enjoyed a special treat when we arrived in Middlebury as we toured the Krider nursery replica of the World's Fair exhibit. BEAUTIFUL in May, so I'm sure when the roses bloom it will be incredible for the senses!
In my quest to ride my bike in all fifty states,I drove over 2,000 miles from southern California to ride thirty-four miles on this trail in early October. I was not disappointed! This is truly a five star trail, the quintessential Rails-to-Trails experience! There aren't enough superlatives to describe this trail!
In simplest terms, this curvy trail through the Indiana countryside made this sixty-eight year old guy happy. I realized I was actually smiling as I pedaled through the woods upon a carpet of golden brown leaves. The corn fields are amazing, as are the farms and their pastures of grazing horses, cows, and sheep.
I especially enjoyed my interactions with the friendly Amish community. Whether on their bikes, walking, in their yards, or passing by and waving from their horse drawn carriages, they comprised at least 75% of the people I encountered. I think the trail should be nicknamed "The Amish Trail" in their honor. There sure as heck aren't any pumpkins!
Elkhart County, you are to be commended, and your trail deserves Hall of Fame status!
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