Nickel Plate Trail – The Nickel Plate Trail is the 40+mile railtrail corridor running from Kokomo in Howard County to Rochester in Fulton County. The trail currently goes through the communities of Cassville, Bennetts Switch, Miami, Bunker Hill, Peru, Denver, Deedsville, Birmingham, Macy and Rochester. It is ideal for walking, hiking, running, bicycling, skating, or even cross country skiing.
North Judson Erie Trail – The North Judson Erie Trail occupies the railbanked right-of-way of the former JK Line Railroad, running 9 miles from downtown North Judson southeast to US 35 near Bass Lake.
Pumpkinvine Nature Trail – The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail covers just over 17 miles between the towns of Goshen, Middlebury, and Shipshewana.
Monon Rail Trail – The Monon Rail Trail stretches from the town of Sheridan in the north, extends south through Westfield, Carmel, Broad Ripple, and passes by the Indiana State Fairgrounds before intersecting with the Indianapolis Cultural Trail on the east end of Massachusetts Avenue (Mass Ave).
Other Indiana Trails – Explore the best rated trails in Indiana, whether you’re looking an easy walking trail or a bike trail, you can find it here.
Indiana Trails Community – The mission of Hoosier Rails to Trails Council (HRTC) is to advocate for trails and greenways in Indiana. Accordingly, HRTC advocates for trails generally, rail-trails specifically. As such we also promote and advocate for walking bicycling, and non-motorized pathways.
Greenways Foundation – The Greenways Foundation promotes Greenways, Blueways, and Multi-Use Trails in Indiana.
TrailLink.com – FREE trail information on the Web. Find detailed information on bike trails, walking trails, equestrian trails, and hiking and running trails including interactive trail maps, trail descriptions, pictures and more.
Bike Ride Indiana – Find the latest information about touring bicycle rides in and around Indiana.
Trail Talk: Issue 33: In the Beginning
It was June 2005 when the idea of converting the old, out-of-service Pennsylvania Railroad track bed (the Panhandle) to a recreational trail was first discussed. The first public meeting attracted approximately 50 curious area residents. By June of the following year, and after many additional meetings, that interested group was down to about eight people. That small group included Doctor Rex Allman. Doc and the others began the informal trail committee and the start of the trail project.
In the beginning there were so many questions and so many unknowns. No one in the group had trail building experience, and trail construction was relatively new to the state of Indiana at that time with the existing trails around the state only being in operation for a few years. The team made trips to other trails, including the Pumpkinvine Trail in Goshen, the Nickel Plate Trail in Peru, and the Monon Trail in Indianapolis.
The main question—How did you do this? Much insight was gained from these meetings with the various trail people. The initial local team of committed volunteers contributed $400 each of their own money to hire an experienced trail building grant writer. The first grant application was submitted and accepted by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).
That first grant was used to design and construct a crushed limestone trail from Pulaski County Road 150 South to Key Street in Star City. This first grant was quickly followed up by two more grants, which then paved the trail and extended it south to Kenneth near France Park in Cass County. Since that time, the trail expansion work has continued to lengthen the trail out in both directions. More grants were pursued. Work on the final vision, “Park to Park,” Tippecanoe River State Park on the north to France Park in Cass County on the south continues on today, approximately 20 years later.
As the years go by, word of the Panhandle Pathway of Indiana (Yes. There is a Panhandle Pathway trail in West Virginia and Pennsylvania) continues to spread with visitors from many different parts of the country coming here to use and enjoy this trail. As many as 80 people a day visit the Panhandle. This community asset, available year round, is here to stay for current and future generations.
Have something to say about the Panhandle Pathway? Please share: www.panhandlepathway.org/contact-us/
I remember when some of your founders came to the Friends of the Nickel Plate Trail - Indiana monthly meeting and shared the opportunity and vision. A huge thank you to all the “pioneer” visionaries, passionate volunteers and donors! Keep up the good work for the good of all!!
Our cycling group is The Bikin' Brothers from Goshen, and we plans rides on it a couple times a year. We love the Panhandle!
Thank you to the team that put forth their own time and money to get this started, it is appreciated
