Southern Indiana has excellent trails and paths for experienced trekkers or novices who want to ease into hiking.
Family Friendly, Easy and Accessible Hikes
For family-friendly adventuring, the 2.8-mile Mount Saint Francis loop trail in Floyds Knobs is great for all skill levels. With some parts of the trail a little narrow, you will not want to bring a stroller if you have little ones. This loop is great for families who love the peace and ambiance of this treasured retreat center.
Sam Peden Community Park in New Albany is another great option for walking and other family activities. The ¾-mile path is wheelchair accessible for people with disabilities and for small children in strollers.
Lapping Park in Clarksville is another multi-use park great for family activities. It is also home to Flatwoods Trail, a 2.9-mile easy loop, great for hikers and trail runners. This trail offers forest views and is moderately trafficked.
Casual Hikes, Moderate to Strenuous Level Difficulty
For casual hikers who like a moderate level of difficulty, Charlestown State Park offers seven trails ranking easy to rugged, and no trail is longer than 3 miles. With several trails offering views of wildflowers, a historical bridge, incredible birdwatching and creeks, they can be great for energetic families. You can also build stamina and mileage by exploring multiple hikes in one day if you’re up for it. Charlestown State Park allows hiking with dogs on a leash so your pup can get some exercise, too! View the full park guide.
Buttonbush Woods at Origin Park in Clarksville is a newer trail in SoIN. To access the trail, park at the George Rogers Clark Boat Ramp in Clarksville and walk west on the Ohio River Greenway toward New Albany. The trail entrance is well-marked just past the Mill Creek bridge. The .7-mile natural-surface trail features a mix of dirt and grass, surrounded by a canopy of cottonwood and black locust trees. Enjoy beautiful views of Mill Creek and keep an eye out for seasonal birds, as well as wildlife like warblers, turkeys, deer, and beavers.
For the Experienced Trekkers
For experienced trekkers, Knobstone trail is more than 41 miles in length and starts at Deam Lake. It is Indiana’s longest footpath. Due to the rugged terrain, many advanced hikers train on this trail as they gear up for the Appalachian Trail. Dogs are also allowed on a leash, and many hikers use this multi-day hike as an opportunity to camp and fish. This is perfect for training or a long weekend with friends!
Stroll a Paved Path
If you want to beat the heat with an evening stroll, there is no better walking path than the Ohio River Greenway. The riverfront in downtown Jeffersonville will offer the best views overlooking the Louisville Skyline. The Greenway can be accessed at many points and offers views you can’t find anywhere else!
Explore New Trails
There are always new parks and trails opening throughout SoIN. One of the newest options, the Monon South Trail, will eventually offer 60 contiguous miles of multi-use trail. The full rail-to-trail project is still under construction, but pedestrians and cyclists can already enjoy a completed 10-mile section stretching from Borden to New Pekin, Indiana. Read our blog, "Your Guide to the Monon South Trail - Borden," to learn more about what to expect along this newly opened section of the Monon South Trail.
No matter the trail you choose, get active and have fun. Happy Trails!
