AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Big 4 Rail Trail

4.3 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 1 hr 27 min

Big 4 Rail Trail is a 4.3-mile out-and-back near Zionsville, IN. It is mostly level, with 26 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 4/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi886 – 925 ft4.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 39.95702, -86.27571
Nearest town Zionsville, IN
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Big 4 Rail Trail

4.3 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 1 hr 27 min

Elevation 886–925 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 39.95702, -86.27571

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

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 0.2 miTurn right, heading N.
  3. 0.3 miBear left, heading NW.
  4. 50 ftBear right, heading NW.
  5. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Big 4 Rail Trail, heading N.
  6. 1.5 miReach Big 4 Rail Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  7. 1.5 miContinue straight onto Rail Trail Park, heading S.
  8. 0.2 miBear left, heading SE.
  9. 50 ftBear right, heading SE.
  10. 0.4 miTurn left, heading S.
  11. 350 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/retention-pond-big-4-rail-trail-out-back-9-km

Trail surface

75% paved25% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:32 AMSunset 7:46 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.1 mi in (~52 min). Leave by 6:34 PM for the 7:46 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Hikes near Zionsville, Indiana