Posted in Indiana Hiking, Nature April 06, 2022 by

Follow This Abandoned Railroad Trail For One Of The Most Unique Hikes In Indiana

Here at OnlyInYourState, we have covered lots of super-cool hiking trails in Indiana that everyone should try at least once. With more than 1,000 awesome hikes to choose from, the Hoosier State is an unsung hero of the hiking scene, providing surreal and beautiful trails for Midwesterners to enjoy since, well, pretty much always. Well, this might be one of the coolest trails we have EVER covered, and that’s saying something. Check out this rugged, abandoned railroad trail in Indiana for an incredibly unique hike that you won’t forget any time soon:

The Madison Railroad Walk is nestled within beautiful Madison, Indiana, and features 3.9 miles of breathtaking views in which nature is reclaiming a railroad built long ago.
Dani Clifford/AllTrails
It's a wild, unmaintained piece of Hoosier State history that attracts the bravest, most daring hikers in the state to come try and conquer it.
It's rated as moderately difficult, and some sections can be quite challenging - especially when the area is slick and muddy following rainstorms.
Michael Browers/AllTrails
Falling rocks are another common occurrence here, so be sure to stay aware of your surroundings at all times so as not to meet one of those falling rocks the hard way. Be sure to bring water and wear closed-toed, safe shoes - this is one challenging hike that's an absolute blast as long as you plan for its twists and turns.
Check out an overgrown, abandoned bridge, which the rail tracks you follow cross right under.
James Dowler/AllTrails
Many parts of this hike feel like something out of an amazing fairy tale, or perhaps a J.R.R. Tolkien novel.
Hikers will love the away-from-it-all, remote feel to the whole trek; during the warmer months, it's astonishingly lush and green, making for one incredible hike.
Curtis Mann/AllTrails
It is, however, open to hikers year-round; check it out during winter for a frozen landscape that feels like something from another planet!
Oh, and sometimes, there's even a little waterfall to enjoy.
Chad Reynolds/AllTrails
Your best bet for seeing the little fall is following a rainstorm (though remember what we said about mud and slippery surfaces) or during snowmelt, when winter transitions to spring and the majority of Indiana's waterfalls are healthier than any other time of the year.
Explore canyons, gorges, rock walls with fascinating growths on them and, of course, nearly four miles of abandoned rails being reclaimed by mother earth.
Curtis Mann/AllTrails

For more information about this hike in Indiana, including a map, more photos, hiker reviews, and detailed directions, be sure to check out the official AllTrails listing.

What are your favorite offbeat hikes in Indiana to take? Tell us your picks in the comments – join the conversation! We love hearing from you.

Address: Madison, IN, USA