An Epic Adventure Trail Runs Through Several Indiana Towns And It’s The Ultimate Outdoor Playground

Bloomington, Indiana, is a delightfully nice little place. It's probably one of my favorite small towns in Indiana, and for many reasons - but one of those reasons is, undeniably, some of the truly amazing hiking and/or outdoorsy things there are to do in and around town. If you find yourself as in love with the area as I do (or if you're just really into hiking), you'll be pleased to learn about a stunning trail that goes not just through Bloomington but a clutch of other small Indiana towns, too. It's lengthy, but no worries - it's one of the best long hikes in Indiana, and it just might be your new fave.

It goes by a couple of names: there's the Blackwell to Terrill Ridge Loop Trail, or you might hear it referred to as the Cope Hollow Trail. Either way, you'd be correct.

For the sake of continuity, in this article, I'll be referencing the Blackwell to Terrill Ridge Loop - just keep in mind that the Cope Hollow Trail is indeed a part of it.

At just over 27 miles in length, it's a powerhouse of a hike.

Should you blaze all the way through without stopping (why though?), the hike would take around ten hours to finish.

I recommend, though, that you turn this into a backpacking adventure. It's the perfect trail for exactly that.

There are a lot of interesting features along the way you'll want to check out, and this might take a while - no worries, though, again - you'll find lots of campsites dotted throughout the hike.

Some of the most interesting features along the trail include marshy areas, ponds, a creek, an awesome old lookout tower, and so much more.

You'll find views along this hike that are simply enchanting.

Here's an example of one such view:

It's also outrageously photogenic, so be sure to bring your camera or, at least, a phone capable of taking some awesome photos. You'll want to remember this one!

The best time to hike the Blackwell to Terrill Ridge Loop is from March through October.

In the spring and summer, wildflowers are a common sight. During autumn, the entire forest is ablaze with color.

There are a couple of wonderful long hikes in Indiana, but I suspect this one might be among the best! I love all there is to see, and I definitely love that you can seriously just camp along the trail and take your time. For more information, including a map, be sure to check out the official AllTrails listing. If you find you'd like to explore the town of Bloomington a little more, be sure to do a day trip to the awesome Oliver Winery.