Find the top rated mountain biking trails in Indiana, whether you're looking for an easy short mountain biking trail or a long mountain biking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a mountain biking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
_73528_st.jpg){kind=spacer}
_124794_st.jpg)
This is a nice smooth trail for all types of bikes, but it's hard to find and follow. And you'll run into construction on Calumet Avenue in Indiana.
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.
Drove to Richmond and skated north 12 miles. The only negative is the pig farm you have to pass. The smell is atrocious and as a vegan it’s even more disgusting. Gorgeous gorgeous trail! Smoothly paved, little to no debris. Would do it again in a second!
This trail is smooth Note: the map here has not been updated... there is no longer a break in the trail south of Main Street at the Munster /Schererville boarder
We rode this trail from Toulon to Princeville today. It was great! The path was very good. It is mostly shaded. Excellent. We stopped in Wyoming on our way back for lunch. Ate at 111 Coffee Shop. Don’t be fooled, this is NOT just a coffee shop. The lunch was delicious. And it is decorated all with bikes! Perfect for us bikers. And check out the bathroom. Cute!!! Can’t wait to do more of the route from Princeville going south.
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 walked this trail with my dogs, out-and-back, in segments over three days in early July 2020. I started at the Oak Prairie County Park in Griffith to the eastern end in Hobart at the Duck Creek railroad crossing and the VFW. I found this trail to be mostly shaded, with good asphalt. My only obstacle was having to start early to avoid the sweltering heat and humidity for my dog and me.
The far western section in the county park and near Chase Street crossing flood easily after heavy rains. This trail goes through genuine wetlands so take that in consideration. Beware of low-flying aircraft coming and going from the Griffith-Merrillville airport.
The wildflowers are so beautiful this year: the purple coneflowers, orange butterflyweed, pink milkweed and Queen Anne's Lace dot the trail with their colors.
The section near Broadway in Gary was trashier than the rest of the trail, but I helped out by picking some of the trash off the trail and placing it in nearby trashcans. This is a busy road afterall. If everyone picked up one extra plastic bottle or pop can, imagine how much cleaner the entire section would be. The Delaware Street crossing is also through an old neighborhood, and one does see the backyards of small homes.
There is no quick access to Lake George if one is walking with a dog, but there is access to Lake Robinson, where my dog and I rested and refreshed ourselves. There are plenty of benches along the way. Just be careful of ticks: they love to pounce on human and canine alike if you venture off the OST and walk the Hobart Woodland Trail, for example.
The first 1.3 miles through Hobart, starting at Duck Creek crossing, is more of an urban trail that was added to the old railroad path.
Parking in the middle of the trail is at Lake Robinson.
This is a busy trail and used by cyclists, joggers and walkers alike. I never once felt afraid on any section.
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.
Wife and I went the day after strong storms. One tree down across the trail but we got around it ok. The first part was chipped rock and the second asphalt. I was riding a Trek Domane road bike which handled it well and wife riding a Specialized hybrid that went through without any trouble whatsoever.
Benches ever so often and it was shaded very well with some short stretches of open sky.
Loved this trail.
There are presently trees down on the trail following a storm (Probably July 11 or 12, 2020). The route is very blocked by bridge number 8, though walkers have moved around one side. This looked too difficult for us to navigate with bicycles. There is a large tree down over the path just east of bridge 16, approx. mile 4.7. It is possible to walk a bicycle under this tree. I do not know where or how to report these. Love the trail, good shade and good condition and beautiful.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Map Search
