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Hiking / Walking

Website:Hiking

There are a wide variety of hiking and walking trails to experience across Wayne County. You can enjoy a nature-centric experience in the middle of the City on Richmond's Gorge Trail, be humbled during a hike through an old-growth beech and maple forest at Hayes Arboretum or enjoy the fresh smell of pine on Cope Environmental Center's Conifer Trail.

The American Discovery Trail, the nation's first coast-to-coast, non-motorized trail across the United States, traverses Wayne County.

Not feeling that ambitious? How about a stroll on the former golf-cart paths at Glen Miller Park? In Wayne County, there's a trail experience for all abilities and interests!

Wayne County Trails and Hiking Paths

Trail Name Special Features
American Discovery Trail The Wayne County section of this coast-to-coast trial encompases much of the Whitewater Gorge and the Cardinal Greenway.
Cardinal Greenways The longest rail-trail in Indiana and spans 62 miles from Richmond to Marion.
Cope Environmental Center Includes a variety of experiences, including the Jim Cope Conifer collection, a tall grass prarie, a hard wood forest and even a spiritual labyrinth walk.
Earlham College Plenty of green space to roam. The wooded back-campus encompasses a criss-crossed variety of paths.
Hayes Arboretum Explore a old-growth beech and maple forest, examine a variety of animal habitats and be sure to visit the Paul C. McClure Native Woody Plant Preserve where native trees are labeled and catalogued for easy reference.
Indiana University East Plenty of green space to roam. The wooded back-campus includes a cross-country course.
Richmond Parks Springwood, Glen Miller Park and Middlefork Reservor will be of special intererst to walkers and hikers. Bicentennial Park includes a special fossil hunting area.
Table listing location and facilities
Riverside Trail This rugged urban trail follows the east fork of the Whitewater River from Freeman Park to East 24th Street. Access the trailhead at North 17th Street and see the old dam for the former Morton Lake.
Steve Swoveland Nature Preserve 46 acres of reforested wetland, located within the city limits of Hagerstown. *Please note* This is a wetland habitat. Trails are often soft and wet.
Whitewater Gorge Park Paved trail extending from Test Road to Veteran's Park in downtown Richmond, this urban trail offers an interesting look at local geology and history. A rugged trail follows the Whitewater River north from Test Road, by Thistlethwaite Falls, through Springwood Park.
Trail Guide - Map of Gorge Trail System

Area Hiking Locations

Property or Trail Noteable Features
Whitewater Memorial State Park Located in Union County, just south of Liberty, IN, this is the nearest State Park to Wayne County.
Trail Map
Brookville Lake Trails, beaches, marina
Trail Map
Hiking in Indiana Sort by proximity, difficulty, or length.
Hueston Woods State Park Hiking trails, fossil hunting, lake, nature center, lodge.
Trail Map
Backpacking in Indiana
Indiana Trails Guide
Indiana Trails
Ohio Trails
Rail Trails in Indiana

Organizations

American Discovery Trail Hiking Club

American Hiking Society

American Volkssport Association

Central Indiana Wilderness Club

Greenways Foundation

Hoosier Hikers Council

Indianapolis Hiking Club

Indiana Trails Community

Indiana Volksmarch Clubs

Indiana Hiking Organizations

National Center for Bicycling and Walking

Rails to Trails Conservancy

SPUR, Inc. (Society for the Preservation and Use of Resources)

Reference Links

Geocaching in Indiana

GoogleMaps Pedometer - navigate to your area of the country and then double click to figure distance traveled.

How To Use a Compass

U.S. Orienteering Federation - the sport of navigation with map and compass.

Snakes of Indiana - there are only 4 venomous snakes found in Indiana, none of which are native to Wayne County.

Common Snakes of Indiana State Parks

Trail Tips & Etiquette

Walking Strategies for Overall Health

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City of Richmond, Indiana
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More Photos:
Wayne County | WayNet Albums

Did You Know?

Richmond was once known as "the lawnmower capital" because of the lawn mowers manufactured here from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. Manufacturers included Motomower, Dille-McGuire and F&N.