Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Lafayette, 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.
The Sugar Creek Trail meanders on the southwestern outskirts of Crawfordsville through suburban back yards, wooded parks and cultivated fields. It follows part of an old Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago...
The Greyhound Trail is sandwiched between a residential community and the Carmel High School Stadium. A portion of the trail follows the former North Indianapolis Electric Interurban Railroad, and a...
The Big 4 Trail is a developing rail-trail route across Boone County that will one day span 50 miles. Currently, two disconnected segments of the rail-trail are open. The name is a reference to the...
The Nickel Plate Trail traverses rural Indiana from Rochester south to the outskirts of Kokomo, with a short gap in the middle in Peru. The rail-trail runs along the former corridor of the Peru &...
Indiana’s Panhandle Pathway follows a former Pennsylvania Railroad corridor out of Winamac south to Kenneth. Along the way, the trail links the communities of Star City, Thornhope, and Royal Center...
The Big 4 Trail will one day stretch 50-plus miles across Boone County, from the northern suburbs of Indianapolis to Lafayette. The Big 4 in the trail name refers to the old Cleveland, Cincinnati,...
Visitors to the Delphi Historic Trails network can tour the historical town of Delphi in north-central Indiana by foot or bicycle—or skis in the winter—on old canal towpaths and former railroad...
Although less than 2 miles long, the Hagan-Burke Trail provides valuable connections to three other trails in the city of Carmel: the Monon Trail (an 18-mile RTC Hall-of-Famer that stretches to...
A restored covered bridge that dates back to 1837 is the centerpiece of Noblesville’s White River Greenway, which opened in 1999. The level to gently rolling asphalt trail, which hugs the banks of the...
Although less than 2 miles long, the Hagan-Burke Trail provides valuable connections to three other trails in the city of Carmel: the Monon Trail (an 18-mile RTC Hall-of-Famer that stretches to...
The Sugar Creek Trail meanders on the southwestern outskirts of Crawfordsville through suburban back yards, wooded parks and cultivated fields. It follows part of an old Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago...
The Big 4 Trail will one day stretch 50-plus miles across Boone County, from the northern suburbs of Indianapolis to Lafayette. The Big 4 in the trail name refers to the old Cleveland, Cincinnati,...
The Nickel Plate Trail traverses rural Indiana from Rochester south to the outskirts of Kokomo, with a short gap in the middle in Peru. The rail-trail runs along the former corridor of the Peru &...
A restored covered bridge that dates back to 1837 is the centerpiece of Noblesville’s White River Greenway, which opened in 1999. The level to gently rolling asphalt trail, which hugs the banks of the...
Visitors to the Delphi Historic Trails network can tour the historical town of Delphi in north-central Indiana by foot or bicycle—or skis in the winter—on old canal towpaths and former railroad...
Indiana’s Panhandle Pathway follows a former Pennsylvania Railroad corridor out of Winamac south to Kenneth. Along the way, the trail links the communities of Star City, Thornhope, and Royal Center...
The Greyhound Trail is sandwiched between a residential community and the Carmel High School Stadium. A portion of the trail follows the former North Indianapolis Electric Interurban Railroad, and a...
The Big 4 Trail is a developing rail-trail route across Boone County that will one day span 50 miles. Currently, two disconnected segments of the rail-trail are open. The name is a reference to the...
Although less than 2 miles long, the Hagan-Burke Trail provides valuable connections to three other trails in the city of Carmel: the Monon Trail (an 18-mile RTC Hall-of-Famer that stretches to...
A restored covered bridge that dates back to 1837 is the centerpiece of Noblesville’s White River Greenway, which opened in 1999. The level to gently rolling asphalt trail, which hugs the banks of the...
Visitors to the Delphi Historic Trails network can tour the historical town of Delphi in north-central Indiana by foot or bicycle—or skis in the winter—on old canal towpaths and former railroad...
Indiana’s Panhandle Pathway follows a former Pennsylvania Railroad corridor out of Winamac south to Kenneth. Along the way, the trail links the communities of Star City, Thornhope, and Royal Center...
The Big 4 Trail is a developing rail-trail route across Boone County that will one day span 50 miles. Currently, two disconnected segments of the rail-trail are open. The name is a reference to the...
The Sugar Creek Trail meanders on the southwestern outskirts of Crawfordsville through suburban back yards, wooded parks and cultivated fields. It follows part of an old Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago...
The Big 4 Trail will one day stretch 50-plus miles across Boone County, from the northern suburbs of Indianapolis to Lafayette. The Big 4 in the trail name refers to the old Cleveland, Cincinnati,...
The Nickel Plate Trail traverses rural Indiana from Rochester south to the outskirts of Kokomo, with a short gap in the middle in Peru. The rail-trail runs along the former corridor of the Peru &...
The Greyhound Trail is sandwiched between a residential community and the Carmel High School Stadium. A portion of the trail follows the former North Indianapolis Electric Interurban Railroad, and a...
We rode the Panhandle Pathway on Saturday Oct 3, 2020, from Winamac to Royal Center and back, so this review applies only to that segment. Easy parking in downtown Winamac, at the northern trailhead. We had a gray, unusually cool day with steady low wind from the south. Very few other riders/walkers. Overall a very pleasant experience, kudos to the Friends of the Panhandle Pathway for their work.
It's a nicely maintained trail, mostly smooth pavement through flat countryside. North-to-south mileage is painted on the trail every tenth of a mile, so that's easy to keep track of. Water/snacks available off-trail at Winamac and Royal Center.
One important thing to know is that there's relatively little tree cover or canopy between Winamac and Royal Center, to protect against wind or sun. Factor this in if you have a windy or aggressively hot/sunny day.
We visited this trail on a cloudless Sunday in September. It was mainly flat and entirely paved if you head north from the parking area off of Starkey Av. The description provided by TrailLink is spot on. South from the parking lot on Starkey it is crush stone for about a 1/2 mile before it ends.
This would be a great trail during the fall and we may return. It was lightly used that day and the pavement was in very good condition with just one or two spots where cracks/bumps are starting to form. It terminates at a small park to the north (or you can park there and head south). My 9-year old rode the whole way with no issues. Really a fun, easy, relaxing trail to walk, run, or bike.
This trail is quiet, smooth & mostly shaded. There’s a few spots to venture off the trail to clock a few extra miles. It smells like autumn with leaves beginning to fall. Several benches and a bridge also provide a nice place to stop and enjoy the scenery. There’s even a book box, a fairy garden and a beautiful mural to enjoy as well. Looking forward to it growing longer!
Rode this trail 2020 August...trail is well maintained and in good shape. Bathroom at start of trail only in Winamac, however, you do go through a couple of other small towns with bars and restaurants which would have bathrooms, as well the trail is heavily wooded for the most part. Trail has a couple of nice bridges over rivers with seating/resting ares. Half the 22mi tail parallels Hwy 35, being approx 25 yards off same...so you have a lot of traffic noise. The trail ends basically in the middle of nowhere, with a picnic table, bike rake, and no bathroom or anything else. However, nice trail will ride again.
This was a great ride. I rode from Kokomo to Peru and back. There was a lot shade, very peaceful and it was not crowded at all. I look forward to riding it again.
I enjoyed my ride on the Panhandle Pathway, but to be honest, there is really nothing unique or special about the trail that would make me want to go back and ride it again. It is straight as an arrow and offers little shade, so you may want to ride on a cooler day or one that has some cloud cover. There are some nice views of farms, but no towns to stop in along the trail. Even Winamac doesn't have a whole lot to offer for places to eat, etc. I guess the main use of such a trail would be exercise or training; there were not many other bikers on the path. The one thing I did enjoy as I rode in early August is the huge variety of butterflies fluttering around the flowers that line the path. That went on for many miles.
Great summer trail! Lots of trees to block wind, especially the further south you go. Heading south the trail ended in Peru, IN but if you have access to mapping software on your phone just head to Western Reman Industrial on the corner of West 7th and North Chestnut and you'll soon be back on the Nickel Plate headed south. I didn't come across a lot of traffic at the intersections until Peru but best to slow down and look. At night the crossings are a lot more quiet. Very well kept trail with only a few spots in need of work and only one construction patch (watch for the cones) just north of Bunker Hill. Looking forward to riding this one again.
First time on the trail, in late July 2020. A great ride. As reported, it was peaceful with light traffic. The trail was smooth; did not notice trees or weeds in the way, but obviously necessary to take care at intersections. Anxious to return and see the south half.
Unable to travel, my summer sojourn is to ride Indiana's rail trails. I rode the Nickel Plate between Peru and Kokomo (return) and it's my favorite so far. Upon leaving Peru you cross the Wabash but also several smaller streams. Most of this bonus scenery occurs within a third of the distance to Kokomo. The trail is smooth and well maintained. It is well-shaded.
The first portion south of Peru also has a tree canopy -- nice. Downtown Kokomo is a fine place to R&R before heading back. The trails through Kokomo are appealing, there are murals, and you can eat at a converted railway depot. I have driven past Kokomo about 100 times but this my first visit to the spiffed-up downtown. I hope to do the northern portion of the trail -- Peru to Rochester -- on a future trip.
I started at the southern trailhead parking lot (junction of 35 & 931) and rode to Peru and back, so I am only reviewing the southern half of the trail (which seems to be the nicest section according to other reviews I've read). This is a great trail to ride if you want to get away from people and noise and civilization for a while. The trail will take you through farmland and woods, surrounded by a wall of green and a canopy of shade. Many times I just stopped and enjoyed the peace and quiet ... no noise except for the birds, cicadas, and even an occasional rooster off in the distance.
I rode for 25 minutes without passing another biker on the trail. Such a peaceful ride! There are a number of streets to cross, but since you are out in the country, there are rarely any cars.
As many others have mentioned, bring some snacks and plenty of water, as there are no places to stop on the southern half until to you get to Peru. You will pass through a few tiny unincorporated towns that have nothing to offer the thirsty of hungry biker. Also, you may want to douse yourself with bug spray as I was getting pelted in the head with bugs at certain times.
Note: at the southern terminus, they have extended the path to take you into Kokomo, which is good because I was extremely hungry at that time and was able to enjoy the best Reuben sandwich I've ever had at a great Irish pub named Cook McDoogal's.
Need to de-stress? Ride the Nickel Plate!
In my summer tour of Indiana bike trails, I had to experience the infamous Monon Trail. I was not disappointed. It is a well marked, well maintained trail that offers a variety of scenery. The portion that takes you from Westfield south through Carmel is absolutely beautiful: shaded, wide, newly paved. Carmel, Westfield, and Broad Ripple offer many places to stop and eat right along the path. This section is popular and can be a bit busy, however.
The section north of Westfield leading to Sheridan offers a completely different, rural feel. A straight, flat, shaded trail takes you through the middle of farmland as you will see nothing but crops to your right and to your left. It is also very desolate; it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere and you will not see many other people on the path or elsewhere, but a pleasant piece of the trail with some nice views.
If you are interested in conquering two paths in a couple days, you may want to consider doing what I did: I stayed at a Hampton Inn in Westfield (the trail literally passes within 5 feet of the parking lot), rode the Monon in one day. The next day I hopped in the car and headed north to the Nickel Plate trail, which is just a 30 minute drive up Rt. 31 to the southern trailhead. Spent the next day riding the Nickel Plate.
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