Find the top rated birding trails in Frankfort, 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 live in southwest Lake County, Indiana, so this trail is a little far for me, but well worth it. I've ridden it twice in two different sections, and it is an outstanding trail that cuts right through rural north central Indiana. It is completely paved, there are enough benches along its length as well, and, at least during the week, seems completely devoid of people. There are also a few small parking lots along the way. Check this trail out for sure.
There is no where to park at the trail head. Really? What a waste
Nice Trail It was alittle hard to find trailhead in Winamac drove right past it, but they were constructing what looked like a new one with facilities a block away.....be sure to update the directions Trail does run along side of hwy 35 Had a nice lunch at Jacks
As of writing this the north, east, and south sides of the loop are complete. There is new asphalt linking Pearl St and 136 on the east side. I skated a complete loop by going up 3rd St from the SW trailhead, turning right onto Union St, and turning left onto 5th St to get back to the park. The roads are pretty rough for skating unless you have big wheels.
The trail itself is pretty nice. The asphalt section is very nice and smooth, but the majority of the trail is a little rough with lots of raised cracks in the pavement that aren't marked. If you take the loop clockwise you get to enjoy a long downhill on the southern part of the loop though, which is fun.
We rode the trail from down-town Indianapolis north to Westfield. You have to piece together the path from the intersection with Midland Trace up to the soccer fields (it is basically an oversized sidewalk that follows the roadway). We jumped on lightly traveled country roads at the soccer fields and picked up the trail into Sheridan. The portion into Sheridan was lovely and shaded. Can't wait for them to finish the portion that connects the two sections. It will be a great ride.
Follows a very busy road and crosses many crossroads and highway entrances. Just stay on the Monon unless you need to get to a store that is off 146th.
Tried to take the southern section of the trail north from Raymond Street. The path is incomplete at it's southern end with no clear marking of where the trail picks up after it ends at street intersections. Got about a mile up the trail and a small bridge was blocked with snow fence and a sign saying the trail was closed for cleanup. Nobody in sight, the fence was broken down in areas so it has been up at least a few days if not longer. Very disappointed as the area we rode on was very nice and quiet. It will be a while before I attempt this trail again as it was just not worth the hassle.
When I travel to Indianapolis on business, I typically ride this trail because it's easy to access from downtown hotels. This is my third time riding it and it seems to get worse each time I make the effort.
Today, the Washington Street Bridge was closed due to some zoo event so the part of the trail south of downtown was inaccessible. No problem, I thought. I'd just go north and catch the canal towpath at 30th Street and ride to Broad Ripple. Unfortunately, the trail was also closed north of 30th Street due to some sort of public works project.
In between, there are terrible road crossings at 10th and 16th. When I say terrible, I mean they are among the worst urban road crossings I've ever seen. There's nothing at all intuitive about the crossing at 10th. You have to know where to pick up the trail on the other side, and it requires riding along the road on a narrow, hemmed in path. It's awful. 16th is downright dangerous as traffic approaching from the west is basically blind to the trail. There's a flashing light warning motorists here, but few slow down. Exercise extreme caution crossing 16th Street.
There are some bright spots. The suspension bridge over Fall Creek is nice as is the catwalk just to the south of old Bush Stadium. The newer section south of the zoo is nice when the river is low, but when it floods it takes the city awhile to remove debris. The short cycletrack on 30th connecting to the canal towpath would also be nice but the city puts warning signs right in the bike lanes and the debris on the road here will cut a tire if you're not careful.
So I'm sorry, but I cannot recommend this trail. It has potential, but it is simply not enough to throw down some asphalt and stencil some bicycles on the pavement. What makes a trail great is the thought that goes into the design and the day to day execution. This trail is a long way from reaching its potential. Sorry, Indy.
Today, for National Trail Day, I rode the Cardinal Trail from the D street Trail head north to the Williamsburg Trail head. About 23 miles round trip. The trail is paved, easy riding with a slight upgrade going north for the first few miles. Not much. but enough that you can tell the difference on he return. Trail was in good shape with a few little bumps from cracks in the asphalt swelling and in one place a small tree across the trail from a recent storm. There are a fair number of whistle posts still in place, as well as some mile markers, a few concrete bases from signals and lots of ties along the route. A couple nice bridges too.
This was the second time on this trail. The first time it did indeed end at 12th Street. This time (3/3/18), the trail kept going...my wife and I went another 15 minutes or so before turning back (lunch at the nearby China Lane - yum!), so didn't get to the end. I'm assuming it has been extended to the 18th street mark at least. Next time we'll find out for sure...
I rode this trail in July of 2017. I went from Rochester to Kokomo, got food, and rode back up to my car in Rochester.
Surface - all asphalt, and in good condition when I rode it. Did it on a road bike with 23mm tires and had no issues - held a great pace and didn't get shook up.
Scenery - Relaxing, but nothing to write home about for the most part. Corn Belt views. However, there are some cool river crossings, and the descents into Peru from either direction were scenic and interesting.
Amenities - This trail passes through a good amount of towns. I never felt worried about my water access.
Notes:
- Biking to food on the Kokomo end is a bit of a haul. Not as bad in Rochester. But, there was a Hardee's there, so it was 100% worth it.
- Loved the southbound climb out of Peru. Stream crossings, curves, the bridge over the Wabash...highlight section of the ride.
- There's a road crossing every mile for most of the ride. Not busy roads, but it can be a bit annoying.
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