Town Run Trail Park in Indy
Some hikes are great physical activity. While other hikes are good for the soul. My latest hiking adventure was both!
I’m now halfway through completing the 12 amazing hikes recommended by Only in Indiana in 2021.
Six hikes completed…six more to go!
June’s hike took me to the north side of Indianapolis to Town Run Trail Park. Fortunate for me, one of my oldest and dearest friends, Tammi, agreed to be my hiking buddy.
Long Hike
Town Run Trail is by far the longest trail so far in my yearlong hiking expedition, at nearly seven miles. Completing the entire loop took us just over two hours.
Tammi and I moved at a fairly brisk walk, but we did stop periodically to snap photos. We admired the flowing creek, lot of unusual mushrooms, and some spooky trees as well as the numerous punny signs and other amusing finds along the way.
Most of the trail is fairly narrow so walking single file works best. With plenty of roots, small hills, and uneven ground, I would consider Town Run Trail a moderately rugged hike. I suggest leaving the little kids and strollers at home for this one.
Lucky for us, it was a very pleasant day for the middle of June in Indiana. Temperatures were in the 70’s and it was fairly overcast. Most of the trail is wooded so the trees provided a nice amount of shade from the elements.
A portion of the trail does take you through some open fields, so it’s still best to lather up with sunscreen. By the end of the trail, we were both rather sweaty and ready for a long shower!
Bring a Buddy
This is actually a perfect trail to enjoy with your significant other or a good friend. Be sure to take someone you want to spend a couple of hours with and whose company and conversation you enjoy!
Tammi was the perfect hiking companion for me as we never ran out of things to talk about from fond memories growing up in Speedway, Indiana, the challenges of motherhood, our growing faith, and our unique struggles with food, exercise, and body image. Girl talk at its best.
We could have walked the loop twice and still not run out of things to say!
Conversation and companionship are good reasons to pick the right hiking buddy, but safety is another one. Even though this trail runs along the river as well as the highway at some points, it felt very secluded along much of the route.
With the somewhat rugged terrain, there is always the potential for injury, so I believe it is safest not to go this hike solo. And it is so much more fun with the right companion!
Beware of Bikers
While I am a hiker, Town Run Trail is actually more well known as a mountain biking trail. Mountain biking is definitely not my area of expertise so you will have to search for a different article to get a mountain biker’s point of view on this trail.
We encountered several biker’s on the trail, and I must say they were all extremely respectful and willing to share the trail with those on two feet. Given the narrow width of the trail and its numerous twists and turns, we did have to keep our ears open for biker’s coming up behind us. And when they did, we were happy to hop off the trail to let them safely pass by.
While they weren’t of great use to us as hikers, the trail includes numerous ramps and other features that I can only imagine make this a fun trail for mountain biking enthusiasts.
And it all added to the character of the trail for those of us simply out for a fun hiking experience.
What You Need To Know
Town Run Trail Park is located at 5325 E 96th St on the north side of Indianapolis. The entrance to the park is a bit difficult to find as it is not super noticeable on this busy stretch of road.
Your GPS should get you there without any issues, yet the entrance still snuck up on me. I missed it and had to make a U-turn!
The trail itself is a one-way loop, which makes sense given the narrow path and the many mountain bikers that utilize the trail. The start of the trail is easy to locate just off of the parking lot and has a sign clearly indicating if the trail is open.
Here you will also see a large map of the trail so you have a better idea of what you are in for as a hiker or biker. Plus there is information about special events and trail notices.
There is no cost to utilize the trail, but motorized bikes are not permitted. Also, the trail closes anytime heavy rains cause the path to become too muddy and slick, so it’s best to check on the trail status before you arrive.
You can check the open/closed status of the trail by calling 317-327-PARK, or join the Town Run Trail Facebook group for the latest trail information.
Whether you are a hiker or mountain biker, I highly recommend Town Run Trail for a fun-filled adventure. And I have to give a big shout-out to my hiking buddy and dear friend.
Tammi, I can’t wait for our next hiking adventure!
Just in case you missed any of my previous hikes in 2021, you can check out those adventures now:
hike 1, hike 2, hike 3, hike 4, hike 5 And there are plenty more exciting hikes to come!
Who do you enjoy exploring the great outdoors with? Comment below and brag on your favorite hiking buddy, then start planning your next outdoor expedition!
Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya
P.S. Subscribe to my email list here and never miss out on any of Traveling Tanya’s exciting excursions or travel tips…plus I’ll send you my free Packing List!
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