Big 4 Rail Trail

3.7 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 14 min

Big 4 Rail Trail is a 3.7-mile out-and-back near Russell Lake, IN. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 4/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi899 – 925 ft3.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 39.96051, -86.28310
Nearest town Russell Lake, IN

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Big 4 Rail Trail

3.7 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 14 min

Elevation 899–925 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 39.96051, -86.28310

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 7:32 AM · sunset 7:46 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
  2. 150 ftBear left, heading N.
  3. 0.1 miTurn left, heading NW.
  4. 150 ftBear left, heading N.
  5. 50 ftBear right, heading N.
  6. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Big 4 Rail Trail, heading N.
  7. 1.5 miReach Big 4 Rail Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  8. 1.5 miContinue straight onto Rail Trail Park, heading S.
  9. 0.2 miBear left, heading SE.
  10. 50 ftBear right, heading SE.
  11. 150 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  12. 0.1 miBear right, heading W.
  13. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

85% paved15% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:32 AMSunset 7:46 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.8 mi in (~45 min). Leave by 6:41 PM for the 7:46 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead