Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Indiana, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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While in the area we stopped at this trail. Parked at the only parking lot, on Wexford Bayne Road, and headed South. Surface was crushed stone and about 8 feet wide. Very nice for walking or small children bicycling. We walked this trails entire length and back. Just beyond where the limestone ends is a culvert and large deep creek so you can't go any farther and there isn't anything ahead anyhow. This trail is surrounded by private property on each side, some business on the one side and residential homes on the other side. About 1/4 of a mile into the trail is the Rachel Carson hiking trail. It goes up the the chamber of commerce building.
PA-Cumberland 5/2023. Loved this trail with lots of places to camp, a winding and entertaining trail, views of the river, tunnels, small towns along the way. I particularly liked Frostburg and camped two nights. The switchbacks up to town aren't as miserable as some describe and the view is rewarding. The Toasted Goat in Hotel Gunter is an old hotel worth a walk around and a meal. Check out the basement holding cell and speakeasy.
Having ridden from Rosston to East Brady in 2021, a buddy and I decided to ride the newly opened southern end of the Armstrong. In a nutshell, It is not as nice. Starting again from the Rosston boat marina we headed south. Right away the surface is not as smooth as going north. Instead of a fine limestone sand, the surface appears to be a sort of fairly small gravel, close to what is known as crusher run but not quite. It is still quite rideable however. This section of the trail has little to see for quite a ways. Eventually, you come upon some riverside cottages. These are not as nice as the ones up towards East Brady but they’re okay. That’s it till you hit Schenley where you come upon abandoned or near abandoned factories - signs of the industrial decay in the area. At the end is the highlight of the trip, the newly opened bridge over the Kiskiminetas River. They did a very nice job on this and it’s pretty long. After the bridge we headed up the Kiski on the trail (also called the Leechburg Towpath). This section was less appealing. Right away there is some kind of rental campground for campers right along the river with campers packed in and there is a dirt road immediately to the left of the trail. It takes a while but you get past these. The ride in the woods is punctuated by acid mine drainage several places and then you come upon the large, abandoned Allegheny Ludlum steel plant. After riding past this for a ways the trail just pops out onto what was obviously an access road to the factory at one point. We weren’t sure if the trail continued but kept riding up the road. No one we saw knew either, there were no signs. After a ways we came to a gate across the road with a bike bypass and there was an Armstrong Trails sign there. This may be the end of the trail but we rode on a bit and saw the familiar green and white bike route signs and followed on. They led us on some bike paths and low traffic streets in Leechburg to the Leechburg Riverfront Park. If you ride this way be sure to stop here. They have picnic tables and a gazebo and it’s a very nice rest and lunch spot. After lunch we continued on as the signs took us on more side streets to the Hyde Park Foot Bridge - a suspension type bridge across the Kiski. Definitely worth the short ride. That was the end of the trail and we headed back. Note that there is less shade on this trail and we were cooked by the sun on the way back. While I gave the north end of the Armstrong four stars this section barely rates three. Stick to the north section if you’re riding for the first time.
Parked at Kline Road, though no designated parking area, there was enough space off to the side of the road to park one vehicle without blocking the gate and lane. Headed West approx 2 miles and turned around. Trail is flat, sits high up almost as high as the next ridge over, and looking way down is Sandy Creek. Surface was dirt, cinder and gravel. Very wide in some areas, almost like a 2 lane back road. Doable on a gravel bike or mountain bike and possibly a hybrid with wider tires such as 700x45's.
Well established and fun trail. Spring hike wasn’t too hot and the rain made the creeks fast and pretty. Park at the end of the trail and walked to the river and back. Uphill grade on the way back. Cool rocks and neat suspension bridge.
Ok section, kind of dull. Agriculture & cows. Found a bit of shade by a grain elevator for lunch. Several washouts filled with tumbleweeds as you get closer to Lind.
Early Spring Ride: Foxburg to Parker. This paved section is 2.5 miles in length runs between the two towns, along the Allegheny River and crosses the Clarion River. Trees are still bare. Spotted an Eagles nest across the river near the Clarion River Bridge (look towards Foxburg). On a sidenote, the Foxburg to Emlenton section is still dirt/mud and not developed as of yet.
Mid March, we parked at Snyder Park on Johnston Road at McMillen Road and headed out the trail to Buttermilk Falls. The trail is packed crushed limestone. Very scenic walk (hike) as it follows Cowanshannock Creek. Trail is a little over a mile in length, at the end you will find Buttermilk Falls.
While in the area we checked out this trail. It's a nice place for walking/running. No pets, bikes, roller blades, etc. Very handy for those who live in or around Oakmont. There are no designated parking lots so park wherever you can find a spot along Allegheny River Blvd. Good luck navigating through the borough of Oakmont as it seems every turn is right turn only and the traffic lights take forever. Worth it though if you end up at Oakmont Bakery, 2 blocks from the trail!
When other bike trails are soggy or mushy is go on this one. This is my go to bike trail. Only some of it is paved if you are not on the rode. It’s mostly asphalt and not completely flat.
I rode this trail a week ago as part of a loop on the Indian Creek Valley Trail. The trail is easy to find and was relatively easy to ride on a gravel bike with 700 x 38 tires. There is a trail that splits off halfway but just stay straight and you'll be fine. There's really no issues with riding this unless you're trying to ride it on a skinny tire road bike. I enjoyed the trail.
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