If you’re looking for the best hikes in Indiana that won’t take all day, this gorgeous jaunt near English is just the thing. The Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail is short, sweet, and among the prettiest trails in the state. Read on to learn more:

When “scenic” is right in the name, you know the trail is going to be pretty.

Alltrails/James Porter

The Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail is located in the Hoosier National Forest near English. It’s about 1.2 miles long and popular with casual hikers.

Alltrails/Jennifer Fugate

This trail offers a bit of steep terrain, but just enough to get your blood pumping!

Alltrails/Jacob Amanda-Miller

It’s a great option for families with older kids or solo hikers.

Alltrails/James Porter

Start at the trailhead and wind your way past tall trees and pretty meadows.

Alltrails/James Porter

The trail offers views of cliffs, waterfalls, and interesting rock formations. Depending on when you visit, you may also get to cross a shallow creek.

Alltrails/Shannon Hoen

You can complete this trail in just 30 minutes if you keep up a swift pace, but we recommend spending an hour or two wandering slowly through the woods.

Alltrails/James Porter

This trail is a loop trail, which means it will deposit you back where you started without the need for you to turn around.

Alltrails/Kevin Joest

Though this is a short hike, remember to wear sunscreen in the warmer months and pack some bug spray just in case.

Alltrails/Kevin Joest

Don’t miss this quick and easy hike through some beautiful Indiana wilderness!

Alltrails/James Porter

You can learn more about the Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail by visiting its AllTrails listing here. 

Alltrails/James Porter

Alltrails/Jennifer Fugate

Alltrails/Jacob Amanda-Miller

Alltrails/Shannon Hoen

Alltrails/Kevin Joest

For more of the best hikes in Indiana, don’t forget to check out some of our favorite trails in the state. What are your favorite hikes in Indiana? Tell us about it in the comments! 

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes in Indiana March 03, 2022 Tori Jane What are some good kid-friendly hikes around Indiana?   In this case, we’ll call a “kid-friendly” hike any trail that’s easy and under two miles in length; luckily, there are plenty in Indiana to choose from. Some of our faves include the awesome West Beach Dune Succession Trail, at Indiana Dunes National Park. It’s epic – at just over one mile long, this hike leads folks through all four stages of dune development. It’s a must-see for geography fans. Then, do the Ogle Lake Trail #7. You’ll find it at Brown County State Park. It’s 1.2 miles long and also features an amazing lake (though this lake isn’t nearly as enormous as Indiana Dunes’ Lake Michigan). We also love the Bicentennial Woods Eagle Trail, which is a little longer than Ogle Lake #7 at 1.8 miles long but totally worth every drop of sweat. Finally, check out the Hathaway Nature Preserve Loop Trail, at the Hathaway Nature Preserve. That one is 1.6 miles long and features brilliant greenery and an awesome waterfall. Need more ideas for more short hikes? Check this article out.   What are some of the most popular easy hikes in Indiana?   With more than 1,000 hikes in Indiana to choose from, it might be tough to know where to begin. Well, why not warm up with an easy hike? Some of our favorites include the Camp Creek and Fall Creek Trails Loop, which is 2.7 miles long and open year-round. It’s easy enough that most folks of most skill levels can take it on with no problem. We also love the West Beach Dune Succession Trail, which you can find at Indiana Dunes National Park. That trail is short and sweet, at 1.1 miles long, and it features all four stages of natural dune development. It’s quite the adventure, and you learn a lot along the way! Finally, check out the South Overlook Waterfowl Sanctuary Trail, which is an awesome nature hike nearby Indy that’s just under two and a half miles long. There are lots more, but these ought to provide great starting points!  

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes in Indiana

March 03, 2022

Tori Jane

What are some good kid-friendly hikes around Indiana?   In this case, we’ll call a “kid-friendly” hike any trail that’s easy and under two miles in length; luckily, there are plenty in Indiana to choose from. Some of our faves include the awesome West Beach Dune Succession Trail, at Indiana Dunes National Park. It’s epic – at just over one mile long, this hike leads folks through all four stages of dune development. It’s a must-see for geography fans. Then, do the Ogle Lake Trail #7. You’ll find it at Brown County State Park. It’s 1.2 miles long and also features an amazing lake (though this lake isn’t nearly as enormous as Indiana Dunes’ Lake Michigan). We also love the Bicentennial Woods Eagle Trail, which is a little longer than Ogle Lake #7 at 1.8 miles long but totally worth every drop of sweat. Finally, check out the Hathaway Nature Preserve Loop Trail, at the Hathaway Nature Preserve. That one is 1.6 miles long and features brilliant greenery and an awesome waterfall. Need more ideas for more short hikes? Check this article out.   What are some of the most popular easy hikes in Indiana?   With more than 1,000 hikes in Indiana to choose from, it might be tough to know where to begin. Well, why not warm up with an easy hike? Some of our favorites include the Camp Creek and Fall Creek Trails Loop, which is 2.7 miles long and open year-round. It’s easy enough that most folks of most skill levels can take it on with no problem. We also love the West Beach Dune Succession Trail, which you can find at Indiana Dunes National Park. That trail is short and sweet, at 1.1 miles long, and it features all four stages of natural dune development. It’s quite the adventure, and you learn a lot along the way! Finally, check out the South Overlook Waterfowl Sanctuary Trail, which is an awesome nature hike nearby Indy that’s just under two and a half miles long. There are lots more, but these ought to provide great starting points!  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

In this case, we’ll call a “kid-friendly” hike any trail that’s easy and under two miles in length; luckily, there are plenty in Indiana to choose from. Some of our faves include the awesome West Beach Dune Succession Trail, at Indiana Dunes National Park. It’s epic – at just over one mile long, this hike leads folks through all four stages of dune development. It’s a must-see for geography fans. Then, do the Ogle Lake Trail #7. You’ll find it at Brown County State Park. It’s 1.2 miles long and also features an amazing lake (though this lake isn’t nearly as enormous as Indiana Dunes’ Lake Michigan). We also love the Bicentennial Woods Eagle Trail, which is a little longer than Ogle Lake #7 at 1.8 miles long but totally worth every drop of sweat. Finally, check out the Hathaway Nature Preserve Loop Trail, at the Hathaway Nature Preserve. That one is 1.6 miles long and features brilliant greenery and an awesome waterfall. Need more ideas for more short hikes? Check this article out.  

What are some of the most popular easy hikes in Indiana?  

With more than 1,000 hikes in Indiana to choose from, it might be tough to know where to begin. Well, why not warm up with an easy hike? Some of our favorites include the Camp Creek and Fall Creek Trails Loop, which is 2.7 miles long and open year-round. It’s easy enough that most folks of most skill levels can take it on with no problem. We also love the West Beach Dune Succession Trail, which you can find at Indiana Dunes National Park. That trail is short and sweet, at 1.1 miles long, and it features all four stages of natural dune development. It’s quite the adventure, and you learn a lot along the way! Finally, check out the South Overlook Waterfowl Sanctuary Trail, which is an awesome nature hike nearby Indy that’s just under two and a half miles long. There are lots more, but these ought to provide great starting points!