While the Miami Valley and Ohio boast some of the best bike trails in the Midwest, there are a few in neighboring Indiana that are worth the drive to ride. Some are closer than others, and some are better than others, but, if variety is the spice of life, the following article highlights 10 different bike trails that you might want to try. Not all of them are paved, but most are very well-maintained and open to all types of bikes. Many pass through very quaint and interesting towns and cities, as well as quiet farmland, Amish communities, next to rivers, lakes and sand dunes, and along old abandoned railroads that contain bridges, tunnels and other relics from long ago. It’s a chance to experience a slice, or many slices, of Indiana.
1. Cardinal Greenway Trail
The longest bike trail in Indiana is the closest for most readers, with a trailhead located in Richmond, less than an hour away. The Cardinal Greenway Trail starts in downtown Richmond and travels north (and slightly to the west) to eventually reach Muncie and then the small town of Gaston, where the official trail ends. In between are long stretches of Indiana farmland and several small towns, plus, as its name indicates, lots of cardinals! They really are everywhere (seen and heard), as are spring wildflowers and budding trees in April and May and colorful foliage in the fall.
Besides the cities of Richmond and Muncie, the trail passes mostly through rural areas and has very few amenities. In fact, it is not until 20 miles into the trip that you reach the small village of Losantville, where a Dollar General, pizza place and gas station (and rest rooms) await. On the other hand, the trail does have plenty of clean portalets and picnic areas to stop and rest at.
Although this is mostly farmland, it is not necessarily flat. There are some hills to deal with and the wind can be challenging in some areas. The trail also crosses a number of major roads where extreme caution needs to be taken, as cars are not paying attention! It’s not the most picturesque or power-packed bike trail in the region, but the Cardinal Greenway Trail does offer distance, solitude and plenty of fresh air, and it’s not far from home.
While you’re in Muncie, stop at the Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, as well as the National Model Aviation Museum. While in Richmond, visit the Warm Glow Candle Outlet, the Uranus Fudge Factory and Shelton Fireworks.
There are plenty of hotels and restaurants to accommodate cyclists in Richmond and Muncie, making this an ideal overnight, roundtrip biking experience.
2. Whitewater Canal Trail
The next closest trail for most readers is also one of the most memorable—although it’s not that long. The Whitewater Canal Trail follows the old White Water Canal path and passes 11 canal locks between the Laurel Feeder Dam and downtown Brookville, about 11 miles. The highlight by far is a stop in the historic and touristy town of Metamora, where visitors can shop and dine in the Metamora Village (mid-April through late December), visit the Gristmill (Wednesday-Sunday, April through December), see the rare Duck Creek Aqueduct, take a ride on the Whitewater Railroad on select weekends or come during the popular Metamora Canal Days (Oct. 3-5 in 2025). The trail also passes through quiet forests in the Whitewater River valley—a very pretty area.
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Hang Out with Wolves
While you’re in the area, check out the Wolf Creek Habitat & Rescue in Brookville. On Saturday and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on a first come, first served basis and for a fee, (gates open at 10:30 a.m.), visitors can interact with rescued wolves! You can even stay the night on the property, near the wolves! If this sounds interesting, visit wolfcreekhabitat.org.
3. Pumpkinvine Nature Trail
The reason this trail is so unique is because it passes through the heart of Indiana’s Amish country. It is common to share the bike path with Amish residents, who use bicycles (and the path) as a highway system between their communities and activities. There are parts of the trail where cyclists are literally passing through the back yards of Amish families (who are often working in their gardens and fields), as well as next to their schools, churches and barns and their horses and buggies. The trail begins in Shipshewana—home to the famous Amish Blue Gate Theatre (and bakery and restaurant), as well as several antique stores and gift shops, an Amish department store and several eateries and lodging options, all in a very small town atmosphere.
Make sure to stop by the Chief Shipshewana Memorial and Shipshewana Lake Park on the north end of town.
Middlebury is another colorful town on the trail. It contains the Krider “World’s Fair” Garden (which is right next to the trail offering several interesting statues and decorations to view), the Essenhaus Covered Bridge, and a number of highly rated restaurants, including 14th Street Barbecue. The trail ends in Goshen—another great town filled with Amish culture, plus great locally made ice cream.
The trail was built on the former Pumpkin Vine Railroad, which got its nickname from the many turns the route took between Goshen and Middlebury. This is rare for a rail trail, which usually travel in a straight line. The trail is made of asphalt and packed limestone and is suitable for narrow-tired bicycles. Overall, it’s a rare window into another way of life and probably the best trail on this list!
4. Panhandle Pathway
While you probably wouldn’t want to go out of your way just to ride the Panhandle Pathway, it does make a good combination when combined with the nearby Pumpkinvine Trail, or possibly the Nickel Plate Trail (see next). Combined, this area offers cyclists long, quiet rides through the heart of Indiana. There aren’t a lot of frills on the Pandhandle, but if this sounds good, you’ll be in the right place.
5. Nickel Plate Trail
This long, paved trail is notable for passing through 10 communities in Indiana, plus wooded areas, farms and wetlands. It follows an old railroad line and is a fairly easy to ride. It never gets very steep. The southern portion of the trail is very secluded and surrounded by wilderness. The trail seems lesser-used than others on this list, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s rustic.
Highlights along the route include Rochester (known as “The Round Barn Capital of the World”), Denver (home to the Denver Days Festival in August) and Peru, which is filled with numerous attractions.
An oddity to note is that this trail passes near Grissom Joint Air Reserve Base. It has been in the news recently for unexplained lights/drones/UAPs in the area, so keep your eyes peeled!
NOTE: A portion of the trail requires the use of city streets in Peru—mostly just back streets that add some scenery to the trip, as well as some good places to eat and visit during the long journey.
6. Indiana’s Big 4 Trail
Located northwest of Indianapolis, this “developing” rail trail (appropriate for mountain bikes but not street bikes) follows the old Big 4 Railroad for 21.5 miles between Colfax and Zionsville. It is a “straight, flat” ride that passes through a number of small towns, as well as through wooded corridors and quiet farmland. The trail also retains aspects from its railroad days, including tunnels, bridges and other relics.
The goal is to eventually expand the trail between Lafayette and Indianapolis, a distance of more than 50 miles.
7 & 8. Monon Trail & Indiana Cultural Trail
This trail passes through urban and rural areas, north to south, and is a very easy, flat ride. Some of the highlights are old train bridges and trestles, plus several small towns, including quaint little Carmel. The trail connects to the Indiana Cultural Trail (an urban trail in Indianapolis) that adds an additional 9 miles to this trip for a total of 36 miles, passing numerous points of interest in Indianapolis. If you enjoy urban cycling, you’ll enjoy this combination of trails.
9. Erie Lackawanna Trail
This old freight route through Lake County is close to a number of other Michigan Lake area bike trails. In fact, this trail is part of the longest contiguous trail in Northwest Indiana. Some of its trails reach into Chicago and Illinois! Compared to other trails on this list, these trails are mostly in urban areas, but not always.
The Erie Lackawanna Trail starts near East Chicago (Indiana) in the city and quickly moves south into more suburban areas. It is all asphalt so it’s great for street bikes.
NOTE: This trail connects to the Little Calumet River Levee Trail in Hammond and the Oak Savannah Trail and Turkey Creek Trail in New Elliot, among other connections. Days can be spent cycling this region. Even more can be added by continuing onto downtown Chicago!
10. Prairie Duneland Trail
Although not very long, this trail is close to the Erie Lackawanna Trail (mentioned above) and contains a tunnel and few other interesting landmarks. It’s also just south of Indiana Dunes National Park, which is a beautiful, white sandy hilled place to visit and located next to a number of other short, but picturesque trails. In fact, the National Park is currently working on a new trail that passes through some of the most beautiful, sandy parts of the park.