Find the top rated running trails in Madison, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Most of the trail is nice with the beauty of nature, flat pavement, fun tunnels and bridges. All that is nice for the family. But it would be better if it were all connected without having to go on the road. That part scared my 9 year old. Otherwise, It was nice to get ice cream in Aurora and there’s a strongs pizza right by the lawrenceburg trailhead. And parking is free and plentiful.
L&C Bridge is a tremendous addition to the recreation opportunities in the area. Included in the initial bridge design, this is a beautiful and scenic river crossing. On my crossing I saw cyclist, walkers and a runner. Since it has yet to meet up with the much anticipated Loop and stops abruptly 1 mile inland on the Indiana side, this trail is a reminder “if you build it, they will come.” Best accessed at this time from River Rd, Louisville.
I began the trail from the endpoint at William Miles Community Garden and turned back at Turkey Run Silo for a total of 30 miles. Very well maintained and signed wide bike trail. Along the way, many rest stops with bathrooms (very clean), bike tire pumps, and water fountains. Good for family with kids as well because there are very few road crossings. All the trail is immersed in the nature and there are no car noises. Most of these 15 miles are without shade, with limited sections under trees. Planning to continue the trail starting from Turkey Run Silo. VAM was about 1,300 ft.
Nice trail, the small section I was able to ride today (thus 4 stars) - but sadly missing alerts that it's currently mostly closed due to roadwork!! (Thus only 4 stars).
My wife and I rode our tandem, starting from the trailhead at the William Miles Community Garden off Rt-60, to the Circle K convenience store at Taylorsville Rd just south of the Pope Lick Trestle. The trail is well maintained and is paved with concrete and asphalt. This section has two hilly areas and the trail is a bit curvy there. The few tight turns were wide enough for us to negotiate the tandem through slowly. We rode on a Saturday morning and the trail was busy with other riders, runners, and pedestrians. Overall, a good experience; but I would try to use it on a weekday - when most others would be at work.
Like most other reviewers, we biked the Parklands/Floyd's Fork section of the trail. It is one of the better-maintained trails that we have ridden on. This trail contains a mix of open-meadow/sunny and shaded areas as well as some flat and some very hilly areas. There are sections that are definitely more challenging for leisurely riders, but it is well worth the ride for the beautiful scenery along the way.
Rode this trail in June of 2019. It is a very nice, well-maintained trail. It mostly runs through scenic open meadows. There are a couple of underpasses with a rippling stream if you enjoy stopping and exploring areas like that.
My only caution is that, on a sunny summer day, this turns into a very hot ride, as there is little to no shade for the majority of the trail.
I believe the Levee Trail, Heritage Trail, and the newer section combined is now called The Ohio River Greenway, and it goes all the way to downtown New Albany from Clarksville. It is a very nice asphalt trail most of the 8 or so miles with very little climbing. Put together with other trails in the Louisville Metro Area it makes for a nice long weekend cycling getaway. Be sure to visit the Big Four walking (and cycling) bridge across the Ohio River, and the Louisville Loop —especially the section in the Parklands of Floyd’s Fork (20 minutes east) while you are in the area.
The amazing 19.5 mile stretch of the Louisville Loop located within The Parkland’s of Floyd’s Fork is the most amazing trail I’ve ever had the opportunity to visit. It includes some moderately hilly stretches through the woods and many miles of fairly flat cycling along the creek from which the park system gets its name. There are plenty of strategically placed parking areas / trailheads with very nicely maintained restrooms and water fountains. Information and trail maps are available at the trailheads. The trail is wide enough in many places to ride two abreast, however; one should be courteous at all times and form up single file for oncoming traffic. I noticed that other reviewers have commented about the “bumps” that result from joints in the concrete surface. To the best of my knowledge none of the joints have ever been filled with anything, nor do they need to be. I would estimate that about half of the length is concrete and the other half asphalt. Concrete is used in areas with frequent flooding, because it holds up much better under such conditions, with the result being that the trail can be restored to very good condition within a few hours after flood waters recede. There is a wide variety of wildlife to be seen along the trail on quieter days, and a beautiful and ongoing display of wildflowers for most of the year. New garden areas and new trees, plants, and trails are ongoing in the park with a beautiful new “park within the park” trail in the Broad Run section. It’s an approximate mile long display of outdoor “rooms” where you are welcome to come and relax. Bikes are not permitted in this area. If you want to sample all that the park has to offer you will need at least 3 days. There is an outfitter in the Pope Lick section for kayak and bicycle rentals, a mountain biking park in Turkey Run, and numerous soft surface, multi-use trails throughout the park. The Parklands of Floyd’s Fork is a donor supported public park. They do not charge admission, so, please enjoy your visit, and also consider visiting their website to make a donation.
We rode the Parklands section of this trail only. It is one of the most amazing trails I have ever ridden. While riding this part of the trail you don't feel like you are near the city. This is not a straight flat rail-trail. This is a purpose built trail that has sections with challenging hills, sharp curves, switchbacks and river bottoms. The scenery is beautiful and varied. There are rest stops and water at frequent intervals. The restrooms were clean and well kept. The trail links a series of parks. There is a little more congestion at the parks but people seemed courteous. The trail surface alternates between cement and asphalt sections. The cement parts are like giant sidewalks and are wide and smooth. The sections that go through hilly areas are mostly asphalt and also smooth and wide with the exception of a couple of small bridges that had large bumps at either end. The majority of road crossings are bridges or tunnels. A handful were on lightly traveled roads with part of those being at 4-way stops. All along the trail are separate hiking trails if you want to get off the bike for awhile. There are also areas to access the river for canoes and kayaks. Both the trail and river have mile markers. There are bike and boat rentals available at one of the parks. We ended up riding this trail end to end for several days straight because we enjoyed it so much. It is definitely a destination trail and worth a couple hours drive. When riding this trail you get the feeling that it is cared for by people who know they have a jewel and want to keep it that way.
A day after riding the Ohio River Valley segment, we rode the Parklands out and back, starting at the north end. What a contrast! The Parklands is all perfect concrete, wide enough in most places to ride 3 abreast. Signage is frequent and at all turns. The trail covers both flat meadows and has some climbs, including a few hairpin turns. We saw a muskrat, juvenile bald eagle, red-tailed hawk and woodcock. Bathrooms and drinking fountains are frequent. So are signs about the area’s history and plant life. The organizations that designed and maintain the Parklands do a great job. We really enjoyed the ride. The Circle K gas station about 4 miles south of the start was the only place we saw by the trail for snacks and beverages.
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