Find the top rated hiking trails in Columbus, whether you're looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hiking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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I thoroughly entire skating this trail. There are multiple sports to park and enter the trail. The trail has some uneven places, but is mostly an easy and relatively flat trail. I entered at mile marker 1, skated to the end, turned around and started to the other end, then back to my car. My total was 5.16 miles.
Our family biked here this weekend and loved it. Very pretty creek and woods area. The trail has lots of benches to rest on and no one else on the trail seemed bothered by our slow caravan of bikers ¿
I’ve skated this trail a few times. It’s so beautiful for the eyes, but the texture of the path is terrible for skates. Even with the softest wheels on the market, the constant rough bumps are not fun. There’s never a break. It goes from bad to worse, then back again. We still skate it for the view, but it sure would be nice if it was smooth. We enjoy the river views, the canal, the swan boats, and the steam lock outside the museum.
This trail at Waverly Park is great fun on quad skates. There are lots of obstacles like sticks, rocks, seeds, acorns, lifted cracks, rough wooden bridge, bicyclists, and lots of walkers with dogs. Everyone on the trail outs really nice and considerate. There are tons of places to stop and see the gorgeous White River. There are picnic tables of you want to bring a picnic. My skate tracker app clocks the trail at a little over 4.25 miles if you go so the way foam and back to the parking lot.
Earlier this year, my parents stumbled upon part of this trail and were eager to introduce it to me when I was in town for the holiday. As a new professional in the railroading industry, I was excited to enjoy one of the Rails-to-Trails in person after hearing high praise from my colleagues. The area is very well maintained with clear signage, greenery, and historical markers. Since my parents (who are in their 70s) did not feel comfortable traversing the steep incline that leads to the Hospital, we instead opted for the Crooked Creek West Trail and Deer Path. These were much more accessible due to being mostly flatter terrain and led us to the abandoned Crooked Creek Phantom Bridge of Madison, Indiana. I would love to see more historical information on display to enrich the experience. It was very cool to see parts of the rail stamped with the original mill marks of Carnegie Steel from the 1905 installation!
Pro Tip: Start at the waterfront downtown for easy parking and a better, more scenic starting point that follows the waterway.
This trail is beautiful. The trail surface is smooth and well maintained. There isn’t much signage at the trailheads. You will need to take water with you as there is no place to stop. Parking is ample on the Williams end. Definitely a must do trail! Very easy out and back for a total of 20 miles.
Great to see the added length in Hendricks county.
I skated this trail on quads and absolutely loved it. There’s a variety of slopes and flats, nice scenery, and smooth terrain. Bridges are a little annoying because my skates won’t roll them - way too uneven and bumpy, but the railings are stout and I pulled myself across easily enough. Kids enjoyed it on bikes and scooters.
We are not from the area, but are familiar with the rails to trails system.
Found the trail head after we gave up and just started from the park. It was a Saturday and the park was busy but 4 sets of eyes in and out of the car never found any signage about where the trailhead was located.
Trail was in good condition, pleasant views and challenging at times but not impossible (for senior ;-) weekend riders). New section is very well done.
What was challenging was the lack of signage at critical turns, which made for an extra 2+ miles of hills that were walked by some. We all agreed it would be a fun trail to ride again but only because we know the route.
We walk or ride this trail all the time, love the farmland on both sides of the trail near Ellettsville with the creek is very picturesque. It's a peaceful getaway during a busy day.
It a good trail. Few spots to get into a good speed but relaxing with plenty to do around.
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