In the last week of October 2022, while heading to N. VA. to attend a hobby show, I decided to bring along the bike to sample some bike trails along the way. To the south, there are fewer crossings.This is an excellent trail. There really aren't many places to fill up. My estimate would be that this trail is less than 50 percent shaded. Along the final mile of the Cardinal Greenway, the trail features a trestle bridge over the East Fork Whitewater River before its official end at the D Street trailhead. BACKGROUND 1) A great test for me. National Model Aviation Museum. ", "As of Nov 2006, the trail is continuously paved from Gashton through Muncie to Losantville. If youre looking for more quiet and solitude, you may want to go farther north or south. BOTTOM LINE: Recommended. We planned to go all the way north and back on ther first day and all the way south and back on day 2. Drove down from Michigan for the second year in a row to ride this trail to launch my cycle season. From Williamsburg to Richmond the path shows its rail roots with a stretch on an elevated railbed. These gates are rather nicely done - they look quite nice - but they require your attention in order to safely negotiate them. Butif you go off the edge of the pavement, you may go over a cliff. You can schedule your tee time at Highland Lake Golf Course, less than a mile away, or enjoy the beautiful Thistlewaite Falls, various trails and rose garden, right here in Richmond. Cardinal Greenways Horse Trail. Hop on down to our Easter Eggstravaganza!A weekend full offun and games!We will keep your little bunnies "eggcited" all weekend long!Staff lead:Arts & CraftsCandy Bar Come relax with us while you "sip and create" to celebrate Mother's Day.This one is just for the Moms. I couldn't even figure out where that Amtrak stop could have been! Learn more about cookies in our, National Museum of the United States Air Force. Wish the trail continued further into Richmondas it is, only about 6 miles roundtrip. Sadly, once you cross Nebraska St. it becomes way too much starting and stopping crossing all the roads that must be crossed before you reach Ninth St. Once past Ninth St. however it becomes a fairly pleasant ride all the way to Miller Ave. the current trails end(or head). Rode it on 7/3/09, Very nice ride, see other reviews of other sections of the Cardinal Greenway. There is more variety in Richmond, but to get to most of them you will have to bike uphill! Today, for National Trail Day, I rode the Cardinal Trail from the D street Trail head north to the Williamsburg Trail head. On another trip I'll pick a different trailhead which would offer a more scenic ride according the rider I met at the trailhead before I started riding. For a stretch at the beginning of the Cardinal Greenway into Marion, the path runs adjacent to and then crosses an active Norfolk Southern line as the greenway passes through a flat, rural landscape that highlights industrial and farmland scenery. The Camping Cabins provide a more rustic camping experience, where you must bring your own linens. I rode the section of the trail from Richmond to Gaston over two days - essentially, all except the part above the gap to the north. With my trailer attached, huh? Great trail! A couple nice bridges too. I loaded the car with the bike, the rack, the bike trailer, the gps, drive the interstate etcI was fully loaded for this test ride. These access points run south to north. Your site was successfully added to your shopping cart. Not valid with other discounts. The only downside is that water is only available at approximately a quarter of the rest areas. It is a great place to get exercise on a bike or . Sweetser has a picturesque depot stopping point and the trail has been maintained very nicely, but only one restaurant is available but there are no shops to invite you to stop and browse (unlike the Monon in Carmel and Broad Ripple). HEADS UP 1. For a map to the trailhead, visit WayNet.org the North 3rd St. Although the decorative gates are interesting they are a hassle for cyclists to navigate. Our plan was to park our car, with all of our luggage, in Muncie, which is central to this trail. However, during our ride in Muncie, we found that there was no safety provisions for the section that crossed McGalliard, where there were 4 busy lanes. If you have little kids on bikes, or if you ever stopped paying attention and drifted off the pavement, then read up. View website. Spanning 62 miles from Marion through Muncie to Richmond and East Central Indiana. As a Hoosier, I know that there can be some pretty boring and desolate places, so I was pleased to find the tree canopy as prolific as those I've seen in Michigan. You might just slip under the fence and over the cliff. The Muncie depot offers a nice break from the trail, with restrooms and snacks, but has limited hours that they are open. Theres plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Now I want to ride another section of this trail. One exception is the Losantville gas station where you can find something cold, which was appreciated. It's uphill from Richmond. If you prefer something more artistic . Of particular note is the round barn that can be seen approximately 6 miles south. Then look to the Historic Richmond Depot District! Well taken care of with easy access at many places along the trail. That being said, its not real rugged either. Would do it again in a second! Such trails are always welcome, but when you find one that is relatively low use (during the workday) it truly lets you relax and take in all it has to offer. The BAD: 1) OK, Trailink, where is it really? South Trailhead. 801 Elks Road . Unique stone mile markers are situated along the trail. The Cardinal Greenwayand the American Jazz Age Cardinal Greenway | Photo by Jane Holman, courtesy Waynet, Inc. This is a long post to give details for those who want to use the trail in Richmond. 1.7 mi Biking Trails Parks. If you want a few more, there are a couple of shorter trails that connect in Muncie. The old Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) rail line was about transportation . Very scary and dangerous. The southern section was reliable in this area. Great Job. Trail of the Month: July 2012. We stayed at the Holiday Inn at Richmond IN. It is well maintained, clean, the people are friendly, and really smooth to ride on. Copyright Cardinal Greenways - All Rights Reserved. Learn more at koacarecamps.org. They may have water, I just dont know for sure. It was in the summer, had lots of wildflowers and butterflies, and I saw many deer in the mornings. So far worst trail Ive been on. Our RV park is located conveniently off the Black Canyon Highway (I-17) at the Glendale Ave exit in Phoenix, AZ. The Sweetser Switch and this trail combine to make 13.7 miles of varied and fascinating scenery, a real treat for ghost railroaders like myself! The one thing to be aware of is a couple bad spots/cracks in the pavement that could result in an ankle injury or biking issue, but this should not deter one from using the trail. Cardinal Greenways is a private, not-for-profit organization that encompasses the Cardinal Greenway, White River Greenway, Historic Wysor Street Depot and Cardinal Equestrian Trail.The Cardinal Greenway is the longest rail-trail in Indiana and spans 62 miles from Marion through Muncie to Richmond in East Central Indiana, with a road section from Gaston to Jonesboro that is . It houses the Cardinal Greenway heqdquarters and a nice gift shop that was open when I visited. walk this trail almost daily. You could also pitch a tent on one of our pond-front Tent Sites. First stop was Richmond IN, southern terminus of the Cardinal Greenway, another Rail-Trail Hall of Fame trail [My 4th]. Richmond KOA Holiday has everything you need for a comfortable stay, from various lodging options to great campground amenities and events. NUMBER 2 TIP: Make sure you double check the names of streets. 39 talking about this. I bought a Cardinal Greenways Trail User Guide for a mere $2 and found it to be chock full of good info and detailed maps.I hate to sound at all negative, but there is some critical info I need to share: there are countless road crossings and some of the roads are quite busy. Lots of wildlife. The trail itself is often elevated with coarse railroad ballast gravel on both sides. Read more. -Rich Ballash, Latrobe, PA 9-14-14. Estrella Mountain is also the site where the Gila and Agua Fria rivers meet, and a 65-acre grassy picnic area. Starting just north of Marion, the Cardinal Greenway seamlessly connects to the Sweetser Switch Trail, which heads north, while the Cardinal Greenway runs south back into downtown Marion. We live close by the trail and typically use the White River Greenway to connect to the Cardinal. Norfolk Southern is using this stub to serve the huge GM plant to your north. Drove from Tennessee to ride most of The Cardinal Greenway in early July 2013 and I was quite happy with it. Several miles outside of Muncie, you can take a short side jaunt on E CR 650 S to the Prairie Creek Reservoir. On Thursday we rode from Tingler Rd trailhead to Richmond and back-15M. Losantville parking area is just off US35, 3.7 miles N of intersection of US35 and IN1; well marked and easy to find. Bring your water bottles. A cyclist can make good time assuming the headwind is not too stern. Return to your campsite and relax after long, fun-filled days exploring the area or participating in our campground events. Im not sure if the Cardinal Greenway oversees it, but I consider it part of the Greenway. 330 N. 3rd St. Richmond, IN 47374 (765) 287-0399. Great trail to ride , the hog farm near Williamsburg smells terrible and at least 3 times big Rottweiler dogs have chased us and nearly wrecked us at the hog farm entrance. In 0.6 mile, cross the East Fork Whitewater River, and Richmond Ave. becomes N. D St. Go 0.1 mile after crossing the river, and turn right onto N. Fifth St. In addition to boasting a swimming pool area, the park is close to several shopping centers, including the Metrocenter Mall and Christown Spectrum Mall. The only negative is the pig farm you have to pass. This trail has a slight turn for every half mile of strait away. The Cardinal Greenway trail is an excellent trail. The trail is paved and smooth from one end to the other and is just over 100 miles. But a great trail to ride. Drove a little over an hour from Ohio to get on at Losantville. The only one is at the Losantville trailhead, so if you're starting there and going to Richmond and back, you'd better start out with all the water you'll think you'll need for the whole trip. It is a great trail but we picked a bad time to ride as it rained from Gaston till we got to Harris Chapel Church where we spent the night. Towns Along the Trail Hoosier towns along the 62 miles of Cardinal Greenway are worth discovering! The scenery changes enough, so don't worry about getting bored with your surroundings. The next morning I woke up with welts all over my forehead, neck and shoulders. It was a very hot week, and I remember sections without much shade, though the fields were pretty. Do not expect water at the access points. Very flat except some slight grades at the southern 20 miles. The lady attendant was helpful and very pleasant. Its fine if youre on foot. We can't wait to meet you! First, I'll note that I didn't notice any pig farms, despite expecting to on the southern section, nor any Rottweilers. One can imagine the collective Hoosier hooray when the final leg of the Cardinal Greenway was put in place last summer. Just pick a dry day or two to ride it. My wife and I rode 35 miles on the trail beginning just south of Losantville and turned around near Richmond. Drive until you come to a crosswalk with flashing yellow lights. We found that there was very little scenery along much of the trail because of the dense vegetation lining both sides of the trail. This forms a loop option you can take with the Cardinal Greenway and the White River Greenway in Muncie. Fees: $32 per night. b) Beware the cliffs in Richmond. This has a couple hills and some unpaved side trails that can be fun to explore if youre into off-road biking, hiking, or fishing. This is one of the longest running RV parks in Phoenix, AZ with plenty of shady trees and grassy areas. Nice scenery and the day we rode it was very quiet. Marion Located in Grant County, Marion is the northernmost segment of Cardinal Greenway. It just keeps changing, right down to the trail's end at Jonesboro, where you climb back up along the river's edge, on a shelf, lined with huge timber supports from the railroad days. Now I am not an avid road cyclist, but compared to other trails I've seen this one is superb. You can park your car here and go up a steep switchback to get to the Greenway. They will jump you and your bike unexpectedly. The road portion was OK but GPS is pretty much a requirement. It reminded Me of the Tanglefoot Trail a bit, due to the rural region, only instead of cotton & soybeans, the crop is corn. In 3 miles, turn right onto S. CR 900 E, which becomes N. CR 600 W. In 4.9 miles, turn right onto CR 850 N/W. Hayes Arboretum. Bring your RV to camp at a Pull-Thru or Back-In RV Site with 50-, 30- and 20-amp connections. Bring plenty of water. Choose from seven RV-developed sites for your stay. Otherwise, this is a great trail, very nice personnel at the train station, and lots of places to eat in Muncie! The rail corridor for Indiana's longest and long-awaited rail-trail was purchased nearly 20 years ago and now offers 62 miles of smooth, inviting . We also found the portable restrooms to be clean. This neighborhood was first settled by members of the Society of Friends, later by free blacks and German immigrants. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group theres plenty of ways to stay and explore. I usually take my bike along on trips like this to ride the local roads. The other plus is how far apart the trail sections are from each stop sign. So if you are planning a trip from Marion to Muncie, pack for weather conditions. If you get a chance, you should definitely get on this trail. (A detour was possible, but unsigned; too bad.) I am from Northwest Ohio. The many log fences lining the trail are quite nice, as are the many large rocks that are imprinted with the mileage and the greenway logo. Definitely worth the drive and will do this again very soon. I found the trail to be very nice. Everything else about this trail is exceptional. You will find a couple of gas stations with sandwich shops inside. DO NOT PARK HERE. Some suggestions I would like to make. There are a fair number of whistle posts still in place, as well as some mile markers, a few concrete bases from signals and lots of ties along the route. Learn more at www.greatamericanrailtrail.org. There should be a big green sign at the top of the stairs. As you pass through Webster, the trail begins a slight uphill grade through woodlands; this is a good spot for birding. ", "Thirty miles of paved trail are now developed in three segments: 7.5 miles in Marion, 20 miles centered on Muncie, and 2.5 miles in Richmond. Richmond KOA Holiday is a family-owned campground with family activities in Richmond, Indiana. Looking for Craft Beer or Wineries? To reach the trailhead in Gaston, take I-69 to Exit 255 for IN 26 toward Hartford. It was an easy ride, gentle slopes, a lot of tree canopy and benches along the way for some rest time. They are well-maintained, assisted by the newness of the trail. 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