Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in West 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.
_155855_st.jpg)
_156280_st.jpg)
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 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...
_155855_sc.jpg)
The Big 4 Rail 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,...
Indiana’s Nickel Plate Trail runs along the former corridor of the Peru & Indianapolis Railroad chartered in 1846. The line offered passenger and freight service under various names, including the...
_156280_sc.jpg)
The Big 4 Rail Trail is a developing 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...
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 Nickel Plate Trail runs along the former corridor of the Peru & Indianapolis Railroad chartered in 1846. The line offered passenger and freight service under various names, including the...
The Big 4 Rail 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,...
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...
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 Rail Trail is a developing 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...
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 Nickel Plate Trail runs along the former corridor of the Peru & Indianapolis Railroad chartered in 1846. The line offered passenger and freight service under various names, including 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 Rail Trail is a developing 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...
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 Rail 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,...
Our scout troop completed a 20 miler (Thorntown to lebanon and back). It was a great time! Trail is in decent shape and has a lot better upkeep closer to Lebanon. With a little love and attention it will be a great trail! We can't wait someday to see this connected to Lafayette (Prophetstown trails) and scout to Whitestown/Indianapolis! Our Local Troop will be conducting several more hikes and try Bicycling MB on the trail. I see many opportunities for Eagle projects along the trail.
I live in southwest Lake County, Indiana, so this trail is a little far for me, but well worth it. I've ridden it twice in two different sections, and it is an outstanding trail that cuts right through rural north central Indiana. It is completely paved, there are enough benches along its length as well, and, at least during the week, seems completely devoid of people. There are also a few small parking lots along the way. Check this trail out for sure.
As of writing this the north, east, and south sides of the loop are complete. There is new asphalt linking Pearl St and 136 on the east side. I skated a complete loop by going up 3rd St from the SW trailhead, turning right onto Union St, and turning left onto 5th St to get back to the park. The roads are pretty rough for skating unless you have big wheels.
The trail itself is pretty nice. The asphalt section is very nice and smooth, but the majority of the trail is a little rough with lots of raised cracks in the pavement that aren't marked. If you take the loop clockwise you get to enjoy a long downhill on the southern part of the loop though, which is fun.
We rode the trail from down-town Indianapolis north to Westfield. You have to piece together the path from the intersection with Midland Trace up to the soccer fields (it is basically an oversized sidewalk that follows the roadway). We jumped on lightly traveled country roads at the soccer fields and picked up the trail into Sheridan. The portion into Sheridan was lovely and shaded. Can't wait for them to finish the portion that connects the two sections. It will be a great ride.
Follows a very busy road and crosses many crossroads and highway entrances. Just stay on the Monon unless you need to get to a store that is off 146th.
This was the second time on this trail. The first time it did indeed end at 12th Street. This time (3/3/18), the trail kept going...my wife and I went another 15 minutes or so before turning back (lunch at the nearby China Lane - yum!), so didn't get to the end. I'm assuming it has been extended to the 18th street mark at least. Next time we'll find out for sure...
I rode this trail in July of 2017. I went from Rochester to Kokomo, got food, and rode back up to my car in Rochester.
Surface - all asphalt, and in good condition when I rode it. Did it on a road bike with 23mm tires and had no issues - held a great pace and didn't get shook up.
Scenery - Relaxing, but nothing to write home about for the most part. Corn Belt views. However, there are some cool river crossings, and the descents into Peru from either direction were scenic and interesting.
Amenities - This trail passes through a good amount of towns. I never felt worried about my water access.
Notes:
- Biking to food on the Kokomo end is a bit of a haul. Not as bad in Rochester. But, there was a Hardee's there, so it was 100% worth it.
- Loved the southbound climb out of Peru. Stream crossings, curves, the bridge over the Wabash...highlight section of the ride.
- There's a road crossing every mile for most of the ride. Not busy roads, but it can be a bit annoying.
We rode our tandem with another couple on singles today from Kokomo to Rochester and back. What a great experience! This is an outstanding trail with lots to offer in terms of scenery, solitude, very good pavement, and plenty of open space. It is also a very well-maintained trail--a storm came through last night with high winds, resulting in a few downed limbs and many walnuts strewn on the pavement. By the time we passed back through these areas late in the afternoon, someone had taken care of almost all of it! There was a tree across the trail at one point; another trail user told us she had contacted someone about getting it takne care of; that was around 10:30 and by the time we passed by on our way back south you'd have never known the tree was ever there. You can tell people care about this trail and it's one we very highly recommend!
When people ask me if I've ridden the "Hilly Hundred" the well known Brown County IN ride I respond: "No but I've done the 'Flat Forty' in Northern Indiana.
The Panhandle Trail runs from Logansport IN to Winamac about 22 miles. I like to start in Royal Center which is about half way between the two trail ends. I usually bike down to Logansport, up to Winamac and back to Royal Center, that makes if about a forty mile ride.
It's about as flat a trail as you'll find with a slight incline going North most noticeable coming out of Logansport (Kenneth) which is why I like to do that portion first. (Those under 60 won't even notice the incline).
There is now a nice parking area at the Logan end with a well kept porta-potty. The Royal Center Marathon station and store is a good half way stop for water, treats and facilities. Casey's General Store (near the Winamac trail head) has clean rest rooms and everything you need for your ride. There's a great Mexican Restaurant at the trail head as well.
The Winamac end of the trail has been extended about 2 miles which takes you to the old train station which is beautifully done and is in walking distance to downtown.
A great ride especially if you want to get a taste of No Indiana; it's mile after mile of soybeans, corn fields and grain silos. Local color stops in Star City, Royal Center and Winamac gives you a good feel for Northern Indiana. The most scenic portion of the ride is crossing the Tippecanoe river near the Winamac trailhead.
It's a well maintained trail and is a great ride if you want a casual ride or if you're a serious biker and just want to let it rip for about 20 miles or so.
We rode this yesterday for the first time. Beautiful...lots of shade, nice scenery, well maintained. It is now almost completed to 6 miles, so you can make a good 12 mile ride. They have almost completed the two segments. We walked our biked across the road that divided the two halves, over some gravel, but just a very short distance. The only down side is that there are no restrooms, only 2 benches for a rest stop in Brownsburg, and the parking at the trail head in Brownsburg only accommodates a few cars. But it was a beautiful experience...so many trees, quiet, not too crowded, you cross over a small river and creek. Overall a very good ride.
Rode 34 miles of the trail this weekend. Weather was cool with only a slight breeze. We started in Rochester and rode to Denver and back on Saturday. The trail gets prettier as you ride south. If you have limited time or energy start at Peru and ride south from there. Entire trail is clean paved and well maintained with benches about every 5 miles or so. Limited restrooms but plenty of remote areas for emergency use.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Map Search
