Running along a former rail corridor, the Honey Creek Trail connects three of Middletown’s parks, including Dietrich Park, and passes through the community of Honey Creek in the Fall Creek Township. Almost entirely off-road, this trail provides increased connections between local communities and additional opportunities for alternative modes for both recreation and commuting. Moving through the fields and forests of the Indiana landscape, it's possible to see far in the distance under the wide open sky.
Heading southeast from its northern trailhead on Mechanicsburg Road, the smooth paved trail stays flat as it travels through Middletown to County Rd 600W. There is a brief on-road segment (.65 miles) that runs south to Country Rd 700N, where the off-road portion of the trail picks up again. Continuing southeast of Honey Creek, the trail ends at Country Road 600N. The trail is currently 5.27 miles of asphalt, which includes a .65-mile on-road segment.
Parking is available behind the Middletown utilities building at 653 Locust Street and on North Spruce Drive (near the old grain elevator) in Honey Creek Township.
There are now two trailheads, one behind the utilities building in Middletown and one in Honey Creek near the old grain elevator.
I began my walk at the trail head in Middletown, and walked east toward Honey Creek. The trail was nicely paved and level. I only walked a mile or so, but I was impressed with the natural beauty I came across. The area near the trail is marshy, and the skunk cabbage and marsh marigolds were just starting to flower. There are numerous buckeye trees along the trail that were clearly planted by squirrels or blue jays. Every so often, you'll see a brilliant spray of redbud in bloom.
There is parking in town behind the fire station, but you can also use the parking area in the town park that is just north of the trail on Raider Road. If you are planning to walk east as I did, this would probably be the best choice for parking. Although many people driving on Raider Road will stop if they see you are wanting to cross the road, the drivers have the right-of-way and they are not required to stop. Parking in the park means you don't have to cross Raider Road on foot or bicycle.
Because there are no benches or port-o-potties, you'll need to know your limits. The trail itself is an easy walk / ride, but it is lengthy and it's easy to go further than you planned on.
The trail itself is lovely, mostly through farm fields and along a creek/ravine, with new asphalt and signage, and a crossing light at the busiest intersection. That being said, the trail is not complete as Illustrated in the map. The section bordered by N CR 600 W and W CR 700 N was not paved and is actually fenced-off. It appears that the land owners were unwilling to sell this to the trail association, Healthy Communities of Henry County. Also, there are no specified trailheads for parking and no port-o-pots.
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