Hiking / Walking
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 Volkssport Association
Central Indiana Wilderness Club
National Center for Bicycling and Walking
SPUR, Inc. (Society for the Preservation and Use of Resources)
Reference Links
GoogleMaps Pedometer - navigate to your area of the country and then double click to figure distance traveled.
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.
Did You Know?
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| Email: | info@waynet.org |
| Phone: | 765.939.0857 |
| Mail: | 50 North 5th St. Richmond, IN 47374 |
| Director: | Board of Directors |
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