AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Nickel Plate Trail

10.2 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 3 hr 25 min

Nickel Plate Trail is a 10.2-mile out-and-back near Sandstone Lakes, IN. It is mostly level, with 27 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi801 – 850 ft11.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 39.97213, -85.94257
Nearest town Sandstone Lakes, IN
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Nickel Plate Trail

10.2 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 3 hr 25 min

Elevation 800–849 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 39.97213, -85.94257

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:30 AM · sunset 7:46 PM

Dogs allowed on leash · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NW.
  2. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  3. 1 miBear left, heading SW.
  4. 50 ftBear right, heading SW.
  5. 1.6 miTurn right, heading W.
  6. 0.4 miTurn left, heading N.
  7. 0.4 miSharp right, heading W.
  8. 50 ftBear right, heading W.
  9. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  10. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  11. 300 ftTurn right, heading W.
  12. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  13. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  14. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  15. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  16. 0.2 miTurn right onto Nickel Plate Trail, heading W.
  17. 1.5 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  18. 1.5 miTurn left, heading S.
  19. 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
  20. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  21. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  22. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  23. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  24. 250 ftTurn left, heading S.
  25. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  26. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  27. 50 ftSharp left, heading S.
  28. 0.4 miTurn right, heading E.
  29. 0.5 miTurn left, heading E.
  30. 1.6 miBear left, heading E.
  31. 50 ftBear right, heading E.
  32. 1 miTurn right, heading E.
  33. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/nickel-plate-trail-out-back-16-km-05f0

Trail surface

95% paved5% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:30 AMSunset 7:46 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.4 mi in (~34 min). Leave by 6:52 PM for the 7:46 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Sandstone Lakes, Indiana