Indiana has more than 140 trails located within the state. That’s more than 4,439 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails that wind through forests, cross meadows and skirt marshes teeming with wildlife. That number continues to grow as more people discover the many benefits of public trails. You are bound to find a trail that is right for you.
There's walking trails, bike trails, horseback riding trails, dog walking trails, family-friendly, water trails, historic trails, backpack, off-road vehicle (ORV), snowmobile and running trails and within these trails there are certain levels of difficulty as well.
Trails offer us adventures, exploration, and invite us to the wildest corners of Indiana with relaxation among countless lakes and fields. Making smart trail choices will help you stay safe and ensure that these special places remain beautiful for future hikers.
Open and Maintained Trails
Most trails that you will hike probably are considered open and maintained. These types of trails are sanctioned for use by a land manager and generally receive some level of regular maintenance. While a lot of trails share the “maintained” category, they don’t always look the same.
One maintained trail might have wooden stairs, gravel, and lots of signage, while another trail may be an overgrown path with limited signage and no footbridges. Regardless of their looks, these are designed with both the people and environment in mind. Many believe open and maintained trails are the best ones to travel.
Social Trails
Then we have social trails, and these ones usually you can find at campgrounds. They are small, foot-wide paths that have one destination in mind. If you find yourself on a social trail, you will find yourself in a popular foot traffic area that leads to either a water source, bathroom, or campground. Having too many social trails can heavily impact the area surrounding it, so it is important to stick to the most apparent trails to keep the foot traffic to a minimum.
Boot paths, way trails and scramble paths
Just like social trails, we have boot paths, way trails, and scramble paths. These trails are formed naturally by years of foot or hoof travel. Although these trails are not nearly as small and constricting as social trails, they often have high country travel routes. At times these paths can become so popular that land managers have to take action and increase user safety.
Unmaintained and Primitive Trails
Unmaintained and primitive trails are part of the official trail system but haven’t received maintenance in a long time. Since these trails are unmaintained, hikers should take extra precaution when hiking and watch for common hazards.
Abandoned Trails
Another trail to be wary of is abandoned trials. These trails used to be in the system but now are not officially considered a trail. With these trails not being in the system, they do not receive any type of maintenance and most likely never will. Once again, you have to be extremely careful on these trails, so hike at your own risk.
These were just some common trails that you might run across throughout your hiking adventure, but it is always best to look into the trail and surrounding area before continuing on your hiking adventure to ensure safety.
Once you know what to look for, identifying trails can become second nature. Identifying is just the first step as a hiker though, as you need to know general trail etiquette before starting off on your adventure. Make sure you know the rules and follow them too.
Some general rules that every trail will have is stay on the marked trails, do not trespass, and follow the trail signs. You also need to be courteous and mindful that you share the trials not only with others but with nature. Travel at a controllable, comfortable pace, do not take up more than half the trail, be cautious of noise level, and keep your group together. Dispose of all waste properly, pick up after your pet and leave nature as you see it to preserve it and to let others enjoy the beauty with you as well. Make sure the dogs, horses, bikes or whatever may be allowed on such trails beforehand as well.
Indiana has so many hidden gems, there's so much to explore in Indiana that has yet to be discovered. Hiking is a great way to find them. With the many different types of trails available, there is something for everyone. No matter what trail you are on, you are going to encounter others, and all trail users deserve to have a safe and enjoyable experience, regardless of age, ability, or activity.
For more information about all the trails that are offered within Indiana, check out https://www.in.gov/dnr/outdoor-recreation/trails/ as well as https://www.southshorecva.com/things-to-do/outdoors/bike-trails/
