Find the top rated hike trails in Columbus, whether you're looking for an easy short hike trail or a long hike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We're in our 60s and like medium length rides that arent too strenuous.
We started our ride at the west end trailhead at Williams Indiana right by the dam. You have to take a very curvy highway 450 to get there, but the experience was worth it. When you get to Williams, as you exit 450 and head to the boat ramp, go slowly, look to the left and you will see the trail, but there is no signage. There is plenty of parking near the dam. Starting at the end, which is mile marker 10.5, we went 7 miles to mile marker 3.5 and turned around. Most of the trail is in shade through some beautiful hardwood forests with constant bird songs. Every half mile is marked on a post or boulder. Trail surface is compacted gravel in fair condition with a few small washouts to watch for. We dont have wide tires and did OK. Bridges and approaches in fair condition, some bridge deck boards will need attention soon. Weed control is good. Some small branches hanging low over the trail. The first 2 miles or so out of Williams are mostly uphill, about 2 percent grade, then some ups and downs, then about 3 miles of downhill to mp 3.5. These grades are a little steeper than we have encountered on other rails to trails. There are no services on this segment, and weak cellphone signal. And a note to E-bike riders: PLEASE announce your approach to other bikers from behind WELL IN ADVANCE because you typically travel much faster than us pedalers. Enjoy! by kcwyks of Missouri
Way less traffic than the Monon trail, had a great time riding my ride here.
Great trail along Raymond then a bad crossing at Harding. The trail is nice along Eagle Creek but it goes nowhere. There is also no parking available along the trail but it doesn't really make any difference. Will Indy Parks ever finish this trail?
I thoroughly entire skating this trail. There are multiple sports to park and enter the trail. The trail has some uneven places, but is mostly an easy and relatively flat trail. I entered at mile marker 1, skated to the end, turned around and started to the other end, then back to my car. My total was 5.16 miles.
Our family biked here this weekend and loved it. Very pretty creek and woods area. The trail has lots of benches to rest on and no one else on the trail seemed bothered by our slow caravan of bikers Âż
The trail isn’t smooth, and you have to cross multiple roads, but it’s nice having this trail in town along a little winding creek with a couple playgrounds along the way. It starts at Summerfield Park where there’s plenty of parking.
I’ve skated this trail a few times. It’s so beautiful for the eyes, but the texture of the path is terrible for skates. Even with the softest wheels on the market, the constant rough bumps are not fun. There’s never a break. It goes from bad to worse, then back again. We still skate it for the view, but it sure would be nice if it was smooth. We enjoy the river views, the canal, the swan boats, and the steam lock outside the museum.
This trail at Waverly Park is great fun on quad skates. There are lots of obstacles like sticks, rocks, seeds, acorns, lifted cracks, rough wooden bridge, bicyclists, and lots of walkers with dogs. Everyone on the trail outs really nice and considerate. There are tons of places to stop and see the gorgeous White River. There are picnic tables of you want to bring a picnic. My skate tracker app clocks the trail at a little over 4.25 miles if you go so the way foam and back to the parking lot.
Earlier this year, my parents stumbled upon part of this trail and were eager to introduce it to me when I was in town for the holiday. As a new professional in the railroading industry, I was excited to enjoy one of the Rails-to-Trails in person after hearing high praise from my colleagues. The area is very well maintained with clear signage, greenery, and historical markers. Since my parents (who are in their 70s) did not feel comfortable traversing the steep incline that leads to the Hospital, we instead opted for the Crooked Creek West Trail and Deer Path. These were much more accessible due to being mostly flatter terrain and led us to the abandoned Crooked Creek Phantom Bridge of Madison, Indiana. I would love to see more historical information on display to enrich the experience. It was very cool to see parts of the rail stamped with the original mill marks of Carnegie Steel from the 1905 installation!
Pro Tip: Start at the waterfront downtown for easy parking and a better, more scenic starting point that follows the waterway.
This trail is beautiful. The trail surface is smooth and well maintained. There isn’t much signage at the trailheads. You will need to take water with you as there is no place to stop. Parking is ample on the Williams end. Definitely a must do trail! Very easy out and back for a total of 20 miles.
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