Are you fed up with the hustle and bustle of the cities and want to explore the beauty of nature? If yes, do not look elsewhere; pack your backpack with essential snacks and buckle up your shoes because l will take you through lush forests, rolling hills, and beautiful lakes. Where you can hike, mountain bike, and enjoy backpack trips. Indiana Trails offer all these features. In this blog post, l will share some of the best hiking in Indiana.
So, here are top five of the best hiking in Indiana.
Cowles Bog Trail
This moderately strenuous trail is 6.9 kilometers long with a 66-meter elevation gain and is a loop trail near Dune Acres. This child-friendly hiking track will welcome you with a beach, lake, forest, and wildlife. It usually takes 1 hour and 27 minutes to complete the track.
If you want to enjoy a hike with your dog, this track must be your first choice, but your dog must be on a leash. Visitors have commented that the track is well-marked and is a sandy trail. Some have also shared that if you want to avoid the steep sandy climb, take the crossover.
Thus, it is a perfect sandy and fall hike. The scenery is also mesmerizing, so if you want to enjoy beautiful scenery and a moderately challenging hike, pay some entrance fees and enjoy the trail.
West Beach- Dune Succession Trail
It’s another loop trail, but it is easier than Cowles. So, you plan to get into the habit of hiking. In that case, try this easy trail of just 1.6 kilometers and an elevation of 23 meters. This trail is near Portage, Indiana. The hike might take 22 minutes but will allow you to cherish the stunning beauty of a lake, beach, and wildlife.
Being one of the most popular tracks, you will not hike alone; you can have the company of people on the go. The track is, however, part sand and partially Broadwalk. Most of the visitors enjoyed their hiking experience in the fall season.
Some even appreciated the dunes and trees, and others just adored that the track is dog-friendly. The best time to visit this track is from April to October. So get up and enjoy a lazy hike with impeccable views.
Indiana Dunes Trail 8 to Trail 4
A moderately strenuous loop trail is waiting for your attention! This trail is 2.9 kilometers long and has a 97-meter elevation gain. It is situated near Chesterton, Indiana. This track is the beauty of bird watching. You can walk or hike and enjoy the chirping of birds.
The dense forest and the beauty of the beach are the cherry on top. If you want to work your legs, take the three-dune challenge. It will be worth your time and energy. Just pay the entrance fee and enjoy the taste of the park.
Some visitors, however, have mentioned that though it is a short hike, the 97-meter elevation through the soft sand gives good cardiac exercise. So challenge yourself and your friends and get your feet on the trail.
Clifty Falls State Park
If you are looking for the best cross-country skiing spot to enjoy the sun’s view on a river or want to bless your ears with the natural sound of the waterfall, then look no further because Clifty Falls State Park has all these touches. It is located near Madison, Indiana, and the trail route is a 9.8-kilometer loop with a 331-meter elevation gain.
This trail is considered moderately challenging and will take an average of 2 hours and 53 minutes. You can hike and walk in this kid’s and dog-friendly route. The track is muddy and rocky in some places, but it is the best place to delight yourself.
Some visitors have reported that the trail map could be more precise; therefore, pay more attention to the trail markers. Others have shared that the trail is challenging, but the views are worth experiencing. Thus, one must savor themselves with the trail’s natural beauty.
Camp Creek and Fall Creek Trails
Hike, mountain bike, and snowshoe all in one place at Fort Harrison State Park. This trail is near Indianapolis, Indiana. It is considered an easy track of 4.2 kilometers and an elevation gain of 40 meters. The track will take a little of your time as it takes an hour to complete. Moreover, you can visit the trail with your dog and kids throughout the year.
The trail is partially paved but can entertain you with the beauty of a lake, first, river, wildflowers, snow, and wildlife. In the morning, visitors reported the trail as damp but not muddy. Overall, the trail is in good form and is well maintained. Visitors have shared that they enjoyed the cool breeze and scenery, which captivates them to visit again.
Thus, if you do not want to sweat your pants and want to enjoy a short hike, then look no further because Camp Creek and Fall Creek Trails can serve you all.
Trail #3 at Turkey Run State Park
A moderately challenging track near Marshall, Indiana, is 3.1 kilometers long with a 108-meter elevation gain. This loop-shaped track is known for hiking, camping, walking, and paddle sports. The track offers stunning views of rivers, waterfalls, forests, caves, wildlife and wildflowers. The hike will give you the experience of being between the rock walls.
Though the track might be rocky, muddy, and slippery, the track is clear of debris. Some visitors have suggested starting the track clockwise to make climbing ladders easy. However, some have also shared their views of not taking kids and animals on the trail. Despite some challenging spots, the track is still the best trail in Turkey Run State Park.
Although Indiana may not be famous for hiking trails worldwide, and a picture of bustling cities and farmlands may cross your mind, outdoor enthusiasts may find some flabbergasting natural beauty. These tracks are decked with caves, rivers, waterfalls, forests, and wildlife. You can hike, walk, camp, bike, and snowshoe. One must visit the natural treasures and enjoy the best hiking in Indiana.