Find the top rated running trails in Mishawaka, 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.
Prairie Duneland was the first rail trail we rode, so for us it's a sentimental favorite. It's also close to home, so we ride it often.
As others have noted, most of the trail is well shaded and screened by trees, making it a cooler ride on hot days. The tree screening also helps make windy days more manageable.
But, with trees come roots, which often are the source of bumps and cracks on paved trails. Other than a short stretch near the Cleveland Avenue trailhead in Hobart, this trail mostly has escaped that problem. (Technically, that stretch is actually on the Oak Savannah trail, see below.)
Another good thing about Prairie Duneland is that it connects to several other trails. Just west of 149, the Iron Horse Heritage Trail branches off to the north - at about 2 miles it's a relatively short but nice trail.
Prairie Duneland also connects seamlessly at its west end to the Oak Savannah trail - in fact, if you start in Chesterton and head west, the last mile and a half or so before Cleveland Ave is actually the Oak Savannah. If you're so inclined (and willing to put up with a stretch of some twists and turns with non-existent signage through downtown Hobart), you can ride the entire Oak Savannah, link to the Erie Lackawanna Trail in Griffith, and end up in Crown Point.
These trails are all almost entirely flat and well paved. The one warning is that a rail crossing at roughly mid-point on Oak Savannah can sometimes be blocked by stopped trains.
This was a fun trail. Beautiful landscapes .The trail had asphalt and gravel. We love riding through the Amish countryside and eating at the Amish restaurants.
Drove down from Grand Rapids, Mi to experience the Bicentennial Trail. The trail is short ( 3.6) but a comfortable 8 miles (we added a half mile by going beyond the park on paved side walk at south end) by going out and back. Trail was older but black top surface was very usable and kept in repair. For a short trail it had lots of nice surprises in twist, turns, slight hills and surrounded by nature in the middle of a city environment. Parking was plentiful with several trail lots at both ends and in the middle. It was a 77 degree, sunny November 6th which added to the enjoyment. Trail was quite busy but everyone knew and followed trail etiquette. Highly recommend this trail.
Flat tide on a cement trail. Benches online the trail. Not much shade so in the summer months it may be a hot ride, A few roads that you need to cross.
Very nice. Paved trail , pretty color change, nice scenery along the river . Very rider friendly.
Rode this from Goshen to Shipshewana and it was wonderful. Favorite part for me was between Middlebury and Goshen actually closer to Goshen probably because it was early October and the fields were beautiful and the many tunnel of trees were so colorful. Wonderful trail, very well kept, safe, almost flat and exceptional scenery. Never tired of the scenery.
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.
Nice shady paved trail but does not connect to Indiana Dunes state park
Very short only connects with Calumet trail which is dirt and crushed limestone
Rode this trail for the first time today. Very nice tree canopy. The first quarter mile or so is a little bumpy but definitely not bad. After that it smooths out. I started around sunrise Sunday morning and had very little company. The only problem I had really wasn’t much of a problem. The under pass going under the expressway was closed. It is marked well before the actual closure. I simply detoured to Cleveland St. and picked up the trail again. Awesome ride! Will define doing this one again. Started on the Hobart end.
Several hills on the trail, with turns at the end. Some sharp turns and narrow lanes that would be hard to have two bikes on at the same time. Stretches of the trail are near the highway, but overall a quiet ride.
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