AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Big 4 Rail Trail

9.7 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 3 hr 15 min

Big 4 Rail Trail is a 9.7-mile out-and-back near Northern Meadows, IN. It is mostly level, with 27 ft of elevation gain. It scores 6/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi892 – 942 ft10.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 39.96176, -86.27170
Nearest town Northern Meadows, IN
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Big 4 Rail Trail

9.7 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 3 hr 15 min

Elevation 894–942 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 39.96176, -86.27170

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

Bikes allowed on the whole route · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 0.6 miTurn right, heading NW.
  3. 400 ftContinue straight onto Big 4 Rail Trail, heading N.
  4. 1.5 miBear left, heading NW.
  5. 2.7 miReach Big 4 Rail Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  6. 2.7 miBear left, heading E.
  7. 1.5 miContinue straight onto Rail Trail Park, heading SE.
  8. 350 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  9. 0.4 miArrive 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/retention-pond-big-4-rail-trail-out-back-16-km

Trail surface

45% paved55% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:32 AMSunset 7:46 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 4.7 mi in (~116 min). Leave by 5:30 PM for the 7:46 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:55 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Bikes allowed on the whole route
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Northern Meadows, Indiana