9 Incredible Hikes Under 5 Miles Everyone In Indiana Should Take

Hiking can often seem too complicated or difficult to anyone who doesn't do it regularly. But hiking doesn't always have to be about steep climbs and trekking across dozens of miles; there are plenty of Indiana hikes under five miles long that are perfect for beginners or leisurely hikers looking for a quiet afternoon. If you'd like to try hiking out for yourself, start with these quick and easy short treks, some of the best hikes in Indiana! You're sure to love them:

1. Trail 8 - Turkey Run State Park, 1.5 miles

This popular hiking trail is located within Turkey Run State Park in Marshall. This park has 11 trails, spanning 14 miles altogether. While most of the hikes here are fairly rugged, Trail 8 offers a peaceful hike through the park and even joins up with other trails along the way, allowing you to see some of the same sights, without all of the extra strain. Indiana state parks have so many great hikes and while a lot of them are more suitable for advanced hikers, Trail 8 at Turkey Run is definitely beginner-friendly. You can find out more about the amazing trails at Turkey Run in this article.

2. Bluebeard Hills Trail (aka Trail 7) - Pokagon State Park, 1.8 miles

This moderate trail takes place mostly on rolling hills and offers a perfect view of the park's plant life and restored wetlands. Alltrails has more photos and information.

3. Trail 9 - Clifty Falls State Park - 1 mile

Trail 9 in this gorgeous state park in Madison is a fairly moderate one-mile hike that offers glimpses of the beauty contained within this park. This hike starts at the campground and ends at the nature center. As always, Alltrails has plenty of photos and information.

4. Mason Ridge Trail - Morgan Monroe State Park, 2.8 miles

The Mason Ridge Trail in Martinsville is just under three miles and perfect for beginners. It's a little longer than some of the others on our list, but there isn't much elevation increase and it's pretty simple. Hikers can hike, walk, jog, or even bring their dogs along for the ride. This is the always-helpful page on Alltrails.

5. Hardin Ridge Trail - Hoosier National Forest, 2.1 miles

This two-mile trail in Bedford, Indiana is a great trail for beginners or those looking for a less strenuous trek. Explore Hoosier National Forest for an awesome day trip. This one's very popular with bikers as well! It's also one of the best fall hikes in Indiana you can possibly do.

6. Rocky Ridge Bike and Hike - O'Bannon Woods State Park, 2 miles

This two-mile trail in Corydon starts at campsite 35 and loops through ravines and rocky slopes, finishing back up near the campsite. This is a stunning way to experience gorgeous ridges and more, without having to climb. It's part of a much larger trail in the state park, and you can view the Alltrails page for more info.

7. Great Marsh Trail - Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, 1.26 miles

The Great Marsh Trail is in Beverly Shores, Indiana and is a great, easy trail that accommodates wheelchairs and strollers. This trail connects to an observation deck, offering you a breathtaking view of the dunes. Be sure to read this article for more details!

8. Trail 9 - McCormick Creek State Park, 1.2 miles

Trail 9 in McCormick Creek State Park in Spencer, near Bloomington, is an easy trek across the park grounds. It starts at the picnic and playground area and circles around hardwood forest and former farm fields. You can find out more information on the official Alltrails page.

9. Trail 2 - Brown County State Park, 2 miles

Trail 2 in Brown County State Park is a moderate trail, perfect for taking it easy on your hike. It passes many scenic places, like the North Overlook and offers glimpses of several of the park's largest trees, as well as white-tailed deer. It does have a little more elevation gain than many on this list, so you might work up a bit of a sweat! Find out more information in this previous article.

So, what do you think? Which hiking trails in Indiana do you love the most? Do you agree that these are the best hikes in Indiana? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!