Find the top rated horseback riding trails in Franklin, 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.
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I was ready for a very rough ride in the midsection of the trail from Lebanon to Colfax and back. This is no knock on other reviews, but it made me very pleased with the shock absorption on my bike (Giant Roam 3). This was a smoother overall ride than I expected. I did hit a few (5 or less, one way) tree root-made rises that got my attention, but as others have advised, if you take them slowly you'll be OK.
If there were any crushed rock sections, they were well compacted, not loose. Most of the trail was smooth and flat, and the tree canopy along with a slight breeze made the route cool on a hot summer day. There are several benches in the shade for rest stops. I'm a casual rider, not concerned with speed, and this trail fit my style. I expect I will ride it again in the not too distant future.
It's a completely sunny trail, so break out the sunscreen/long sleeved shirts for this one.
The trail elevates you to the point where you will feel like you're on top of an actual levee.
You'll be seeing boat docks for the most part, so there isn't too much to see.
Rode on a very hot muggy June morning, so as others have stated bring plenty of your own water. I did the whole trail, started at Williams Dam, felt the return trip back from Bedford was just slightly easier. Note that the trail goes under the 16th St., a major thoroughfare in Bedford, and that the many amenities visible on Google maps are not accessable from the trail. I would rate the scenery as just okay, not a destination trail but entirely worthwhile if in the area. And as always, many kudos to the local (I assume) volunteers for keeping up the trail. The end near Williams was a bit rough, possibly exacerbated by recent heavy rains, but the majority is very smooth.
Rode on a very hot muggy June morning, so as others have stated bring plenty of your own water. I did the whole trail, started at Williams Dam, felt the return trip back from Bedford was just slightly easier. Note that the trail goes under the 16th St., a major thoroughfare in Bedford, and that the many amenities visible on Google maps are not accessable from the trail. I would rate the scenery as just okay, not a destination trail but entirely worthwhile if in the area. And as always, many kudos to the local (I assume) volunteers for keeping up the trail. The end near Williams was a bit rough, possibly exacerbated by recent heavy rains, but the majority is very smooth.
Although relatively short (it's actually 2.6 miles, not 2.3) it traverses wooded areas, forest edge areas, dense brush areas, open meadows, and takes you directly under the Avon haunted bridge. You're never far from White Lick Creek, and most of the time it's right next to you, so there are some very good wildlife opportunities it presents.
I did a roundtrip walk of 5.2 miles and saw numerous Indigo buntings, multiple Baltimore Orioles, Eastern Towhees, Red-eyed Videos, an Eastern parula, red headed woodpeckers, yellowthroats, a Kentucky Warbler, and at least 10-12 others I don't typically see at my feeders.
Highly recommend this trail!
It was a pleasant ride but bring your bug spray. Lots of standing water. Very few people on the trail.
The paved trail has not been maintained and is frequently interrupted by bursting roots. Lots of homeless in the area and trash on the trail. There are much better ones in Indy…
Great connector on Pennsy - takes you through Cumberland and some nice neighborhoods!
I use this trail once a week or so to ride from Zionsville to the Monon, as it is, to my knowledge, the only direct path connecting the two and for that, I am grateful.
That said, that particular stretch needs some serious love. There are various cutouts in the asphalt where maintenance/utility companies have dug but no one ever patched afterward. Some of the driveway and intersection ramps are brutal and navigating the roundabouts around Highway 31/Meridian can be rough, depending on the time of day. Once you clear the Monon heading east, though, the trail gets much smoother and is significantly more enjoyable, though. I’ve only ridden that stretch a few times, but is lovely. I hope we’ll see some improves on the Zionsville-Carmel stretch someday.
Flat paved path. Does cross two roads, but markings/signs are present for safety. The wooded area is peaceful, wish it was longer.
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