Find the top rated horseback riding trails in Charleston, whether you're looking for an easy short horseback riding trail or a long horseback riding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a horseback riding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The segment east of Charleston is not paved. It's only a mile but if you are a trail completionist, be prepared for a rough ride for that mile or and back. Closer to a field road than a trail.Rest of the trail was perfect.
Had a wonderful bike ride with the family. It was a hot day, but the shaded trail made for a delightful time. We parked at S Llama St where there is a small gravel parking lot, unloaded the bikes and rode the 1.6 miles to the bridge just East of S Canal St. that crosses a creek. The scenery in summer was great and the newly updated bridge was well done. An added bonus was all the trail crossings over the streets were stamped concrete that resembled the rail crossings that used to be there.
Noisy traffic but nice views from the boardwalk. Extend your walking buy going south through Fairbanks park on the east side of the Wabash bridge.
I’ve walked this multiple times, both alone and with grandkids. Parking is excellent and there are picnic table and benches at the site and on the Wabash bridge itself. The high sides of the first portion of the former railroad bridge obstructs views but it opens up to steel trestle for scenic river views. Beyond the bridge the trail is enjoyable with tributory on the left and woods/fields on the right. Unfortunately the trail ends at the active railroad tracks and a picnic table. Plans to extend are apparently underway. Train watching is fun at the terminus. Make it a real walk by walking through the nearby parks, downtown, and stopping at the Tasty Freeze for great ice cream.
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.
With construction of the new trail bridge over the Flat Branch starting in September (2024), the trail will soon be restored to its full 14.6-mile length, with access points at the Taylorville Trailhead, Lake Taylorville (Lake Point Veterans Memorial) parking lot, Owaneco, and the Pana Trailhead.
After riding other trails I was truly disappointed with this one; wouldn’t you know it’s the closest to us and probably the worst! No upkeep whatsoever; it has potential for a nice ride, but there has been no maintenance for quite a while. It says on website that the village of Pana owns it…
This is a beautiful trail! It meanders nearly 6 miles with many gentle curves and hills and very few straightaways. It is almost entirely wooded and runs along the lovely creek most of the way. There are a number of bridges to go over and under. The track itself is clean and in great condition. There are 3-4 manhole covers go watch out for. Thoroughly enjoyed!
This trail is well maintained. Lots of birds and wildlife. I rode the trail on a Friday afternoon in late March (62 degrees) and there were 5 other folks riding and walking. It is a flat trail that runs through mostly farm land. ¿
The trail surface is smooth asphalt. Except for the first and last miles, it is also essentially seamless. Great.
The scenery is pretty much nothing, and there isn't really anything along the way. The eastern portion is more scenic than the western, passing over a couple ravines of tributaries to the Embarras river.
Great trail for a workout.
This trail was overall very nice!! the only issue i had with it personally was that the first bridge i crossed, about a mile in, was blocked off with concrete dividers. thankfully, there were some desire trails going around these, so i was able to walk my bike over the bridge. it was a very long trail, and sometimes i wouldnt be able to find the the path again when it passed through an industrial or residential area, but that wasn’t really a big issue. i was riding my mountain bike, and the path was very clear and easy to ride on. only complaints i have are about the first bridge, and the mile markers were not clear enough, so i didnt really know where i was at.
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