The Nickel Plate Trail is part of a growing network of trails across Indiana. Here are other great trails to explore within about 75 miles, organized by distance from the NPT.
Nearby — Under 25 Miles
🚲 Industrial Heritage Trail — Kokomo
5.9 miles | Paved | Connects directly to the Nickel Plate Trail
An urban rail-with-trail linking historic industrial sites that celebrate Kokomo’s “City of Firsts” heritage. Connects to the Nickel Plate Trail via a pedestrian bridge over IN-931. Part of Kokomo’s 11+ mile trail network, which also includes the Wildcat Creek Walk of Excellence (3.4 miles along Wildcat Creek).
cityofkokomo.org — Industrial Heritage Trail
🚲 Panhandle Pathway — Winamac to Kenneth
23 miles | Asphalt | ~20 miles from the NPT
A scenic, flat rail-trail following the former Pennsylvania Railroad corridor through farmland and wooded areas, crossing the Tippecanoe River. Passes through Winamac, Star City, Thornhope, and Royal Center. Mileage is marked in tenth-of-mile increments. A planned southern extension will reach France Park near Logansport.
🚲 Converse Junction Trail & Sweetser Switch Trail
6.6 miles combined | Asphalt | ~20–25 miles from the NPT
These two connected trails link Converse, Mier, and Sweetser in Grant County. The Sweetser Switch Trail features a covered bridge, restored railcars with restrooms, and a 5-foot Garfield statue honoring local cartoonist Jim Davis. Together they form a continuous paved corridor connecting to the Cardinal Greenway. The MAC Trail is planned to eventually connect to Converse from the Nickel Plate Trail near Bunker Hill.
TrailLink — Sweetser Switch Trail
A Short Drive — 25 to 45 Miles
🚲 Wabash River Trail — Wabash to Lagro
7 miles | Asphalt | ~25 miles east of Peru
Follows the Wabash River with scenic overlooks, canoe and kayak access, and bald eagle viewing. Minimal road crossings make it a peaceful ride through canal history country.
🚲 Cardinal Greenway — Marion to Richmond
62 miles | Asphalt | ~30 miles east of Kokomo
The longest rail-trail in Indiana and a Rail-Trail Hall of Fame inductee. Follows a former CSX railbed with arched steel bridges, stone mile markers every half-mile, and 20+ trailheads with restrooms. Connects to the White River Greenway in Muncie and the Whitewater Gorge Trail in Richmond. Part of the Great American Rail-Trail.
🚲 Delphi Historic Trails — Delphi
12 miles | Crushed limestone & boardwalk | ~30 miles southwest of Kokomo
A National Recreation Trail following the routes of the Monon Railroad and the Wabash & Erie Canal. Tour the historic town of Delphi on old canal towpaths and former railroad corridors. A hybrid or gravel bike is recommended.
TrailLink — Delphi Historic Trails
🚲 Erie Rail Trail — Huntington
3.3 miles | Asphalt | ~35 miles east of Peru
A wide paved rail-trail through Huntington with a pedestrian bridge over the Little River. Connects Huntington University, Yeoman Park, and local amenities. Extended in 2024.
harta-gotrails.org — Erie Trail
🚲 North Judson Erie Trail
11 miles | Asphalt | ~40 miles northwest of Rochester
Built on the former JK Line Railroad, this trail runs from downtown North Judson southeast toward Bass Lake through hardwood forest, sand prairies, and wetlands. Features the unique “Our Solar System In Scale” (OSSIS) educational project depicting planets at actual scale distances along the trail. Part of the Great American Rail-Trail.
Worth the Trip — 45 to 75 Miles
🚲 Monon Trail — Indianapolis to Sheridan
28.5 miles | Asphalt | ~45 miles south of Kokomo
One of Indiana’s most iconic rail-trails, running along the former Monon Railroad through Indianapolis, Carmel, Westfield, and Sheridan. Functions as both a commuter route and a linear park. Connects to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Midland Trace Trail, and the Hamilton County trail network.
visithamiltoncounty.com — Monon Trail
🚲 Nickel Plate Trail — Fishers & Noblesville
18 miles | Asphalt | ~45 miles south of Kokomo
Shares the Nickel Plate name but is a separate trail in Hamilton County, built on the former Norfolk Southern railbed. Connects downtown Noblesville through downtown Fishers. Part of the Hamilton County Hubway network. Not yet connected to our Kokomo–Rochester trail, but both follow the same historic rail line.
🚲 Big 4 Trail — Lebanon to Colfax
13 miles | Asphalt | ~45 miles southwest of Kokomo
Follows the old Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway corridor through Indiana hardwoods and farmland, crossing Sugar Creek on an iron bridge.
🚲 Rivergreenway — Fort Wayne
25–30 miles (100+ mile network) | Paved | ~65 miles northeast of Peru
A major linear park along the St. Marys, St. Joseph, and Maumee Rivers connecting 15 city parks. Part of one of the largest urban trail networks in the Midwest.
cityoffortwayne.in.gov — Rivergreenway
🚲 Pumpkinvine Nature Trail — Goshen to Shipshewana
18 miles | Asphalt | ~80 miles north of Rochester
A premier rail-trail through Indiana’s largest Amish communities. Enjoy views of horse-drawn plows, hand-cut flower fields, and Amish buggies along the old Pumpkinvine Railroad corridor. Connects four public parks. A bit beyond 75 miles, but well worth the trip.
The Bigger Picture
Many of these trails are part of the Great American Rail-Trail, a planned 3,700+ mile cross-country route from Washington, D.C. to Washington State. The Indiana segment runs through the Cardinal Greenway, Sweetser Switch Trail, and the North Judson Erie Trail — putting the Nickel Plate Trail region right in the heart of a growing national trail network.
Know of a trail we should add? Let us know!