Find the top rated hiking trails in Forest Park, 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.
We rode from Beatty Station near Springfield south to Xenia station on 4/9/2024. We liked the trail just fine. Not too many road crossings, paved, rail trail grades, etc. If headed south, when you get to Xenia be aware that the trail turns right at a street with virtually no signage except for a sign that said Xenia Station .5 straight ahead. So we stayed straight ahead which encompassed the sidewalks of Xenia instead of the actually bike path. Other than that mixup we were happy with the trail. We hope to do the rest of it at a future date.
Road trip to Indy. Needed a quick run to stretch the legs. Just a few minutes off i70 and just a few minutes to run the 0.6 mile trail. Runs along a main road. Nice "trail". Wouldn't go out of my way for it... But it served it's purpose.
I ran this entire trail back in September. The southern part measured out 3.48 miles. The first part of the southern train is in town, and the map shows a trail running through the woods, but it is not accurate. The first 1.6 miles is sidewalk and then a road run down Hempsead Station Drive. There is a small roundabout and the trail leads in to the woods. It then crosses over Rahn and Whipp and then there is no real place to park and goes in to a dead end. The part starting at the roundabout and ending at the dead end measures 1.88 miles. It is mostly flat and shaded. It's a good trail to just do a down and back and get a decent 5K in without much traffic. the only reason i gave it 4 stars is because I didn't much care for the northern part of the trail and the map is not accurate. Trail does not run through the woods on Hempstead Station Drive. It runs on the road.
We did a 8.45 mi round trip between Harvard Rd and Warren Rd overhead bridge. Being in a wheelchair we had no issues whatsoever with the surface of the trail.
Still closed at Cartridge Brewing but can pass through.
Wide paths, beautiful tree scenery. Worth the drive from Louisville!
Rode south and then north from Yellow Springs. Great trail, well maintained. Yellow Springs has a lot to offer, including the Yellow Springs Brewery right off the trail!
The trail is closed through 2024 during lake renovation. An alternate trail has been mapped out on the www.greatparks.org website.
I note that the reviews tend to focus on the Richmond end of the trail. My wife and I decided to check out the northwest segment of the Cardinal Greenway beyond the gap north of Muncie—Jonesboro through Marion. The CG ends just west of Marion but flows seemlessly into the Sweetser Switch Trail and then into the Converse Junction for a total of almost of 18 miles each way.
We decided to stay the night in Marion as a home base and found a B&B called Beatrice The Villa run by a charming Italian couple who also have a superb Italian restaraunt on premises. Marion itself has a rustbelt vibe, but we felt safe and were just 4-5 blocks from the trail with entrances on 9th or 10th street. The trail itself is beautiful and wooded in Marion thru Jonesboro—that was our evening trip—south to the Jonesboro Trailhead and back. There was really only one bad crossing at US 35. The rest either have trestles over roads or are lightly traveled. I dinged the trail one start because at 24 years of age, there are quite a few cracks and bumps that need work in Marion. On Day 2 we did Marion to Converse and back, about a 24 mile round trip. That's more varied with both woods and fields (corn & beans) with lots of wildflowers and birds and a couple of covered bridges. It's worth noting that the Converse Junction now extends into Converse to the main district where you can get ice cream, burgers, beer, BBQ, Pizza from various establishments (fewer options on Sunday).
As you may be aware, The Great American Rail Trail uses the Cardinal Greenway for a major chunk of its route through eastern Indiana. According to a local rider, the trail supporters lost a Supreme Court case with farmers over trail, so they are looking at going through Gas City and Upland to get to the southern segment of the CG. From Converse, a tiny but cute Indiana town with a nice BBQ restaurant, plans are to connect up with the Nickleplate Trail over near US 31 about 16 miles west.
Overall we had a really nice time and would consider doing it again. The B&B was a highlight and perfect for easy access to the trail. Trail condition in Marion needs some work and there's a surprising lack of toilet facilities west of Marion and the Sweetser public toilet was locked. Otherwise it's a 5 star ride.
My wife and I rode this trail on Labor Day and it was fantastic. We began at the train station in Trotwood and rode to Verona and back - just over 24 miles round trip. The trail has many farms, a few parks and very peaceful. Brookville is charming and is about the half-way point. We only passed a few riders and joggers. It was a great ride!
Greatest place ever is Loveland Ohio to launch this trail. Just go and enjoy.
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