Find the top rated birding trails in Fort Wayne, 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.
_90007_st.jpg)
As part of an awareness event I was doing in Elkhart County, I completed the entire Pumpkinvine Nature Trail in my wheelchair in one day. As has been noted, this is a remarkably beautiful trail that nicely captures Elkhart County including Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury, and Shipshewana.
The local Amish community, which has a high population here, frequently uses the trail on their bikes. While I've heard from some locals that they're stand-offish, I found them to be absolutely delightful.
The trail is mostly rural, though Elkhart and Goshen are decently populated areas and the trail itself is so popular that you will likely run into some people along the way.
As a wheelchair user, I made it from beginning to end without too much problem. There's about a 1.75 mile section north of Goshen that goes from asphalt to packed limestone and involves some country road travel. It's definitely passable in a wheelchair, but a little more challenging.
You could easily make a weekend of the trail - start in Elkhart and end up in Shipshewana where there's some great country shopping and a couple nice Amish-style hotels.
If I were to recommend an Indiana trail, Pumpkinvine would be near the top of the list. However, be aware that Elkhart County is impacted by lake effects during the winter. This trail is probably best to enjoy during spring/summer and early fall.
Well taken care of with multiple resting stops. Beautiful riverside views for all ages
I've walked, jogged and rode my bike on this trail many times. It's very well maintained and always beautiful!
As of November 2017, this trail is not yet finished and the completed sections are not yet connected. Still, the parts that are finished are a joy to travel.
The Wabash Cannonball Trail in Fulton, Henry, and Williams Counties in Ohio is owned and maintained by our all volunteer group, the Northwest Ohio Rails to Trails Association, NORTA. We have regular work days on the trail, and try to keep up with maintenance on the sections we own.
In the summer of 2017, we were able to acquire "ground up pavement" for the trail surface in Williams county. A larger tire bike will have no problems on that section. If you like to "mountain" bike, the rest of the trail is rideable.
Sometime in 2018, the eastern most section of the trail in Fulton County will be paved to our offices at St. Rt. 109. We're working to find the safest way to get around the active train track in that area.
The Trail also has a section of certified North County Scenic Trail. Check it out. If you are hiking the NCT and need a place to camp or just need a Trail Angel, contact us.
We look forward to meeting you! And bring your loppers and rakes to help keep the trail cleared.
P.S. Yes, it's flat and straight. That's how the Wabash Cannonball Train was able to reach the speeds it did!
This trail I thought might be sketchy in quality and safety, but I was pleasantly surprised and I thought (at least in the muncie area) it was safe and well maintained. I would not hesitate to ride this again. Now I am not an avid road cyclist, but compared to other trails I've seen this one is superb. Cant wait to ride this again.
Rode from Richmond, IN to Williamsburg, IN 29.5 miles round trip. Great trail all paved, level, mostly shaded! Rest stops along the way with water, porta potties and historical info every 5 miles! Very enjoyable!
My wife and I are in our late 60's and we have been riding rails to trails all over the country. This trail is as good as we have ever ridden. It was an easy ride and very little elevation change. A perfect blend of shaded canopy and open farm lands. The scenery is fantastic. The Amish farms on the trail have so many horses and the occasional Amish horse and buggy just adds to the ambiance. We are coming back in the fall for sure.
We live just 1/2 mile south of the South Fork. I run the trail most every day. It's always in great shape. In winter the trail is cleared off before the roads are. Well maintained and popular trail. Just have to be careful crossing the roads. The trail crosses many busy roads so watch for traffic, especially crossing State Route 295 (both forks cross this road). Enjoy!
We started at Oak Openings and rode east over US24, past the battlegrounds and on a ways before turning back and following the south fork to the end, then back past the parking area to the west ending point before returning to the Jeep just after dark. This trail says it closes at dark, a drawback for us as we would have put in a few more hours of riding if allowed, start early!
Mostly a smooth trail, some slightly washboard areas that were only minimally noticed, trail is in fairly good shape and a joy to ride!! We will return. The one real grip is all the stops every half to mile due to raod crossings, nothing major!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
