Find the top rated birding trails in Carmel, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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I rode 8 miles on this trail on a Saturday with my boyfriend and our 12 year old. We parked at the pool in Forest Park (they let us use the restrooms without question). We rode east then north first until that section ends at the river. And I do mean at the river. Break check - don't ride in! By far the nicest section. Almost total shade on the north/south section. Nice to be along the river. The trail is not very wide and is VERY winding. Most people we encountered were walking and didn't seem to be used to coming across bicycles so stay alert. We then went south through Forest Park. Very nicely landscaped. It connects to the Noblesville Riverwalk (or something like that) just south of the park and across the river. We were excited to explore that upon coming across it, but a minute in encountered a complete closure for construction so that was disappointing. We then went back though the park and took the spur that goes northwest out of the park. Nice trail, but once it turned into riding along a regular street in direct sun on a very hot day we turned around. Overall, decent trail. Too bad it's not a lot longer.
We set out from Greencastle and the gravel surface there is sound but the bike path isn't on the railroad bed so it winds a bit with small ups and downs. Not for skinny tires! But it was lovely and ride-able on our mid-tire bikes. The section from Coatesville to Amo was asphalt that was smooth as glass. What a lovely treat! The whole distance was partly tree covered so the sun didn't bake us, but enough open places to enjoy the fields and flowers.
This trail runs winds uninterrupted from Union Street in Westfield to Hague Road just outside of Noblesville's downtown area. It also unofficially easily links with Natalie Wheeler on Union St. which will take you to Cool Creek and can join you up with Hagan Burke at 146 (Now in Carmel) which will take you to the Monon w/o having to navigate major roads (sans crossing 146th st)
Trail is connected to the Sweetser Switch trail. Very smooth and well maintained. A jewel for Grant county. Mostly flat with a few short inclines at old railroad bridges that have been removed.
My wife and I parked at Blue Heron Park just off Rt-31 and rode eastward. The route is paved all the way, but it pays to be familiar with the route. We made a few wrong turns since there are very few signs directing us where to go. For example, the route goes through a cemetery. When we got to it, there was no indication which road in the cemetery to take. We eventually found the right way, but had to "hunt around" a bit. A map at the trailhead would have been helpful. A big plus is that much of the trail in Franklin is shaded. It's a bit more "open" when you travel farther east.
I took a section of this trail that runs along the South side of 146th street from the Hagen Burke Trail to Hazel Dell. It's an okay trail but it does run along a very busy road and it was rush hour when I took it. The trail crosses several subdivision entrances and a few bigger roads. You just have to watch for turning cars but it was an okay route to take. The path does seem to have a lot of debris on it with twigs, loose gravel, etc. that you need to watch for and it isn't as wide as other trails. I don't think I would use this just for a casual ride but to bike commute it did its job.
I tried this trail for the first time yesterday on my commute home. I picked up the trail from the Monon trail and then followed it up to the 146th street trail. With the Rangeline road improvements there is now a dedicated crossing with crosswalk and lights. The trail is fairly wooded and there is a creek that runs along side. Due to all the rain a section of the trail was flooded near the apartments but I was able to ride through okay. The trail had good signage which was nice because there were several offshoots that one could easily take and get lost without them.
I have done about 75 trails in 28 states including the Minuteman in Boston, the Little Miami in Cincy, Riverfront in St. Louis and several trails in Chicago, etc and this trail is simply the best urban trail I have ever ridden or heard about. 26 miles with scenery from Indy light industrial to Broad Ripple hipster to Carmel upscale ( maybe the best five miles of the trail) to Hamilton county farm country, through two major parks and Carmel's truly unique downtown, there is something for everyone. But what stands out are the amenities along the trail, from restrooms, water stations and numerous places scattered in many locations to get something to eat or drink, most catering to the bicycle crowd. If you are a bicycle tourist, this is a must ride trail.
I use this trail often and you can now go all the way up to 146th street. The Southern part of the trail located in River Road park takes you around the park and along the river and one of the holes at Prairie View golf course. Head North and the trail runs through a wooded area and neighborhoods. You can cross River Road and take the trail past Prairie Trace elementary all the way up to 146th street now. This connects to the 146th Street Trail. Makes for a nice bike ride or run.
I really like this trail. It is newer and the pavement is mostly even. Railbed trails are far better overall surfaces, but that should not be held against this path. North of Washington St (US 40) the path runs on both sides of the divided highway! Along the length of this short trail, however, there is NO lighting for early morning or night commutes/ training rides and it gets DARK. This makes the trail more hazardous due to the zig zags near intersections and limited lighting nearby. The very fine silt dust that accumulates on the path from the nearby fields is also extremely slick. I fell on this path recently without warning due to silt+moisture and got a bad concussion. Overall, add some lighting and more miles to this and it could be a great run that connects to the B&O snd Vandalia Trails.
Beautiful trail - plenty of access points. We were impressed by how well thought out the trails extras were. Porch swings, super clean bathrooms, even a bike repair station. There are quite a few required stops for busy roads but 9 out of 10 times the traffic stops for you.
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