Hike ‘em or Bike ‘em! There are plenty of paved trails to travel in Grant County, Indiana. Here we have listed and described several trails to explore throughout the area with convenient trail heads and parking.
Cardinal Greenway
The longest paved trail in Indiana, the Cardinal Greenway spans 62 miles throughout East Central Indiana. From Marion through Muncie and onward into Richmond, the Cardinal Greenway offers natural beauty and fascinating sights along the way. Motorized vehicles are prohibited; therefore, it is ideal for hiking, biking, jogging or strolling. Once a Chesapeake & Ohio railroad track that was the main line to Chicago, you’ll encounter charming communities along your trek, each with their own classic-cool vibe.
Four convenient trailheads with ample parking
- Miller Avenue Trailhead in Marion at 380 South Miller Avenue
- Hogin Park Trailhead in Marion at 1460 S. Valley Avenue
- Jonesboro Trailhead at 215 North Water Street in Jonesboro
- Sweetser Trailhead in Converse at 1281 North 700 W
Garfield Trail
Drive, bike and/or hike to discover 14 larger than life-sized statues of Garfield throughout the county. You know Garfield: the lasagna loving fat cat created by Jim Davis. What you may not know is that Jim Davis was born and raised in Grant County. This selfie-suitable journey covers a lot of territory, so you’ll need some wheels to move you along this kitty cat convoy. A map of all the Garfield locations is available.is available. Share your photos at #followthecat.
Mississinewa River Walk Trail
Get the best of both worlds when walking along this two-mile walkway. Sparkling water views and a nature walk through the woods, the Mississinewa River Walk combines these two serene experiences. Completely paved, this path ends at beautiful Matter Park in Marion. Gain access at the park or at Washington Street bridge and 1st Street.
Converse Junction Trail
Explore quaint shops and cool restaurants as you wander this three-mile smoothly paved trail. A former Penn Central railroad line, this trail connects to the Sweester Switch Trail, providing an option for a longer hike. Be sure to stop for ice cream at the Big Dipper for a classic diner experience.
Sweetser Switch Trail
On this excursion, you’ll spot a 1916 wooden caboose, restored parlor train car and a mail train car planted in the heart of downtown Sweetser. Beautiful landscaping, picnic tables and shelters will invite you to linger. This stretch of trail connects to the Cardinal Greenway and the Converse Junction Trail. You’ll love the option for a four-mile trek or an even longer one when including one of the other two trails.
Hit the trails in Grant County, located just 90 minutes north of Indianapolis off of I-69. There are long and short trails that connect to make a different experience every time. Plenty of camping and hotel accommodations are available, so you’ll have time to explore them all!
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