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The Pennsy Trail is currently open in two main segments.
About the Route
The western segment leaves off from the eastern side of Indianapolis, linking the Irvington neighborhood with a local elementary school and a large Indiana Department of Transportation complex. The trail utilizes an extra wide sidewalk as it runs along the west side of Ritter Avenue to create a connection with Ellenberger Park and the Pleasant Run Trail. Heading east on the rail corridor, the trail becomes an off-road route and a restored railroad trestle takes trail users over busy Shadeland Avenue.
Local trail managers completed a crucial link on the trail in 2021, allowing for a seamless journey between Indianapolis and neighboring Cumberland. This section passes industrial properties and crosses several restored railroad bridges through a wooded corridor before emerging into open farmland. The trail parallels US 40 for its entire length (although the highway is always out of view) and thus offers a much safer biking and walking alternative. The trail comes to a halt at a trailhead at County Road 600 W, which offers a small but convenient parking area.
Further east, the Pennsy Trail resumes in the city of Greenfield after a gap of about four miles—a mile-long section of trail was built between County Road 500 W and County Road 400 W in 2021, but this portion is not easily accessible from the main trail until future extensions are completed. Passing through farmland and the Greenfield Country Club golf course, the trail also traverses neighborhoods and is within a short walking distance of downtown. The nearly 6-mile stretch of trail crosses Brandywine Creek, alleged to be the creek where the "Old Swimmin' Hole" was found in James Whitcomb Riley's poem of the same name.
Connections
At the western end of the trail, trail users can connect to the Pleasant Run Trail.
Trail History
The straight, paved Pennsy Trail occupies a portion of the old right-of-way of the Pennsylvania Railroad (“Pennsy” for short) and parallels the historic Old National Road. The Indiana portion of the corridor extended from Richmond, Indiana, through Indianapolis to the eastern border of Illinois. Along these tracks, the body of President Abraham Lincoln was carried back to Illinois on April 30, 1865.
The Pennsy Trail runs between Ellenberger Park 5301 E St Clair St (Indianapolis) and 400E (Greenfield), with parking available at both ends.
Please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
After the monon and nickel plate trail this is the 3rd best in the region
Way less traffic than the Monon trail, had a great time riding my ride here.
I thoroughly entire skating this trail. There are multiple sports to park and enter the trail. The trail has some uneven places, but is mostly an easy and relatively flat trail. I entered at mile marker 1, skated to the end, turned around and started to the other end, then back to my car. My total was 5.16 miles.
Wonderful well kept trail for all. This is a must ride for any level of rider. Just do it!
Great trail. My wife and I rode the trail today for the first time. Went to the location that Google Maps called the start but the saw a rider going west, so we found the actual start, about half mile west, and started there. Started down the and, a little over 11 miles later, we were in Hancock on S 400 W. Going east, when you hit 600 W, cross the street and go south. You’ll find the continuation of the trail
Nice trail. Flat and well maintained. Shaded in most spots. The gap on the map between 500W and 600W had been completed.
Pristine trail that is Ebike friendly and chocked full of geocaches! Perfect walking trail as well, extremely well maintained. The trip through the solar system is definitely a bonus!
Did this trail last Friday with Jim from EZbike Rental and his group of riders. We went from Cumberland to Irvington for a cocktail and had an evening ride back to EZbike. Very nice time, Jim is great and knowledgeable if you in the market for Electric bikes.
Nice ride. Not too crowded. There are several stops but most intersections were not busy. A few additional signs could be helpful but overall great time.
Really nice for running. The path is very well kept, not too busy, and felt very safe.
Great trail! Great for bike riding, running, walking and with your dog!! I rode 30 miles on the trail one day. Love it.
I rode the Pennsy today from Irvington to the trail end at Mt Comfort Rd, and back. It’s an excellent paved trail with only sparse usage making for a relaxed ride. Next time we may navigate the gap between Mt Comfort and Greenfield and check out the eastern section.
I love the trail! I think whoever is in charge of building it did an excellent job. I wanted to point out that there is a tent set up and clearly someone is living along the trail between German church and mitthoeffer. There are also Walmart carts back there
We rode the Pennsy from Irvington to Mount Comfort Rd on 3/13/2021. I'm glad to report that the trail has been completed along that entire stretch, which fills in one of the gaps presently reflected on the trail map.
As of this spring, the trail is in fantastic shape: brand new blacktop, wide, brush cut back several feet on either side. This is brand new trail in an area that was formerly a desolate abandoned railroad track running through a lower-income/industrial area, so there is a desperate need for a clean up along the new portions. Garbage galore is in sight everywhere in the early spring before the leaves come out. The trail itself, though, is immaculate. The Pennsy is straight as an arrow. However, In Cumberland, the Pennsy intersects with the Buck Creek Trail which goes north for about 3 miles following the creek. If you are wanting to add some sweeping turns to your ride, this is a very pretty side-trip.
Be forewarned that as of the date of this review there are no restroom facilities on this trail. It parallels US 40, so there are some big-box stores & gas stations within reach if you look for them, but no on-trail establishments between Irvington and Greenfield.
Bicyclists who enjoy a cold beer have a great destination on this trail. The Black Acre Brewery beer garden is just off the trail very near the western terminus in Irvington. I would also encourage those who are not familiar with the area to take a ride around Irvington if you have the time. The streets are winding and the homes are mostly old and stately. If you find yourself in need of a bike shop, Irvington also has Indy Cycle Specialists just east of the intersection of Audubon Rd and Washington St (US 40). This is an excellent bike shop, worth a visit even if you aren't in need of a new tube or whatever.
I have ridden the entire Pennsey, with the Eastern most Portion being the best with signage, mileage and sights. Perhaps someday the segments will be connected, but at least we have the opportunity to ride the preserved miles.
This is truly a great trail. Nice and wide paved trail for walkers, runners, and cyclist. I mainly ride my bike since it is mainly flat. The only problem is a 4.5 mile gap between Cumberland and Greenfield. Donations can be made at www.PennsyTrailsOfHancockCounty.org to make this a 13.5 mile trail. Please help spread the word!
This trail is great! I love that it is so close to my house, and how beautiful it is. There are trees lining the way most of the way and the whole storage unit issue is nothing! Cars rarely enter and exit that area (and i mean RARELY) and i know that because i live almost right next to the storage units. The surface is so smooth on the trail and most of the people i cross paths with are very friendly. I think that this is a great place to go for a relaxing jog,walk,run! Only complaint, there should be more works of art!
The trailhead at 600W is closest to me, so that's where I usually start and ride east towards Cumberland/Meijers. But I have also ridden from 150W towards Greenfield. The times I have ridden the segments of the trail I think I passed less than 10 people walking or biking. So there isn't a lot going on with these trails. But that's what keeps me coming back. Although shorter, it's not busy like the more popular Monon Trail; you don't have to dodge others on the trail. It's flat, scenic, and depending on where you are, you have no idea that just north of you is busy US40. Funny, anytime anyone thinks of trails around Indy the Pennsy Trail is never mentioned--for me a well-kept secret.
There is a group based in Greenfield that is trying to raise money to join the sections from Cumberland to Greenfield. Funds are slow to come so they have made the decision to break up the acquisition of land into small sections. I wish them the best - it would be great to connect Cumberland to Greenfield in one segment.
This review is based upon the 3-mile segment of Pennsy trail in Cumberland, with German Church Road on the west trailhead, and CR 600W on the east terminus in Hancock County. US 40, a.k.a. National Road, runs parallel just to the north of the trail. This trail is the former Pennsylvania Railroad which ran from Columbus, Ohio from about 1870 until 1970. The trail has a smooth asphalt surface that is in very good shape, great for walking, jogging, or biking.
You can get to the trail at its west terminus by parking at the Marsh. Immediately behind the Marsh, the trail is paved but currently marked for no trespassing toward the west, but if you cross German Church Road you will see that the trail actually begins here next to the rear Meijer entrance.
At the beginning of the trail you will see educational signs about our solar system. Our Sun is located next to German Church Road. Keep going east, and you will see the posters for all 4 of the inner planets Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. The planet signs are spaced out along the trail to approximate the scale of our solar system, Neptune being closest to the 600W & US 40 terminus 3 miles from the start.
After you pass the back side of Meijer, you will see the sign for Jupiter and the trail then takes a jog 150 feet off path to the north, around a lumberyard and back side of the Cumberland Police Dept, then across Munsie Street and then back south to the Pennsy's original alignment. Now that you are past the lumber business, you enter the more scenic section of the trail. At this point the south side of the trail is lined by dense vegetation, and you will soon see the poster for Saturn.
As soon as you reach the appropriately keystone-shaped Mile Post 1, the trail crosses over Carroll Road with a bridge. It is at this point that artifacts of the railroad become evident. On the north side of the trail, you can see the old poles that held the code lines/telegraph wires that ran along the tracks. When you reach Buck Creek overpass, and you will see a poster describing the wetlands and watershed system. This is a very scenic area with just a couple newer homes behind the trees lining the south view of the trail.
A thousand feet or so to the east, look along the south edge of the trail, under the trees. You will start to see the railroad's now rotting, moss-covered, wooden ties that were pulled up from the tracks. The code lines are also now running along the south side, and occasionally you will see a stray ceramic insulator hanging from a remaining wire still threaded through the trees. I never saw any iron or remnants of rail, however.
The trail continues mostly lined by trees or agricultural zoning, and passing Uranus, until Mile Post 2 where it crosses road 700W at-grade. There is a sitting area near this milepost as there are at the other two mileposts.
At mile 2.5, close to Neptune, the trail is torn up and is being turned into a crossing where a storage unit complex is being built on the south of the trail alignment. This is quite insane, and I wonder how this even got past the permitting/zoning process. There will be vehicles crossing the trail at grade to get into the storage units. Why couldn't they build the storage units in the huge empty field on the north of the trail facing US 40? Like central Indiana needs more storage units anyways.
The trail then comes to an end at Mile Post 3, close to road 600W. There is a small parking lot and sitting/stretching area. On the other side of 600W going to the east are some properties which have acquired the former railroad's right-of-way. So it remains to be seen if the trail can be extended in this direction toward Greenfield.
I'm giving this trail 3 / 5 stars because of some of the ugly development that has taken place around the trail, disturbing the natural feel and setting. Near the Meijer and lumberyard you will see a lot of concrete and pavement. There is not much natural scenery, and a lot of trash along that part of the trail. It's a shame that an eyesore of a lumberyard cuts through the trail's original path, and the new ugly storage unit complex that is being built near 600W. But hopefully, with enough community support, the trail won't get spoiled or developed any further.
Pennsy Trail offers users some quiet peaceful, natural scenery in what used to be a very heavily traveled passenger and freight railroad. It also offers users an interesting educational perspective of our solar system. Some artifacts of the railroad are still present, but mostly just the remnants of the codeline poles. Very few people born after the 1980's will even realize that this used to be a historic railroad line. I hope this discontiguous part of the trail will be connected to the western segment in Indianapolis and the eastern one in Greenfield for a complete trail between both cities in the future, but those plans seem on hold for now. This trail has a lot of potential. If you're looking for a longer trail, check out the Monon Trail in Indy.
We have ridden the trail before, probably a year or so ago. Lightly traveled, not much to see along the way. We did stop at a local restaurant, (Riley House), for dinner. Pretty decent food, not cheap though! If you want to stop there when you are on the trail and get to Franklin St., go north up to Main St./Washington US 40 and it will be just to the left on the north side of the main street.
Hello... I ride all 3 Pennsy Trails... each has things I lkje and things I dont like.
the Cumberland Trailh is the best of the Pennsy Trails --- far and Away the best.
So many rail trails seem to want to eliminate every vestige of their railroad heritage...Even with their trail names. Well here, in my opinion, is the capping beauty of Indiana rail-trails which other preservation groups should study and model their trails after. This was the Pennsylvania Railroad's "Raceway" in its glory, and the folks out here are not going to let you forget that on Greenfield's Pennsy Trail! First and foremost, the trail is absolutely BEAUTIFUL, from endpoint to endpoint! Asphalt smooth as glass, with pristeen black topcoat. It is a JOY to cycle on! In the center of Greenfield, large photo plaques detail the unfortunate fate of the town's both passenger and freight depots, at their sites. As soon as I saw these, I knew this group was "on the right track", so to speak, with this trail preservation. Heading west from the depot sites, I noted that customary trail mile markers start from Mile 0 at both trail endpoints. But in addition, and I have RARELY seen this done, and nothing quite like this, the trail marks PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD milepost markers 167, 168, and 169, at their correct timetable locations, on keystone shaped signs, with the PRR's keystone logo! Beautiful! These are mileages from Columbus (Ohio's) Union Depot, over the railroad's "freight" route through West Central Ohio via Urbana, Piqua, Bradford, New Paris, and Richmond, Indiana. (FYI, the PRR "passenger" route from Columbus, through Xenia and Dayton "zeroed out" again at Xenia, and those mile markers extended to MP51.7 at New Paris Junction) The "straight line" nature of this trail should by no means be noted as a detraction. Several miles at both ends of the trail are straight and smooth, but the Greenfield center offers a nice big "off-grade" loop around a big industry on the west end of town. And the trail's passage through city center is very interesting. Note the actual "station track" eastward from the depot site. This is the ONLY actual railroad TRACKAGE I encountered between Lewisville to the east, and the west end of this particular trail. From the east end of this trail westward to Interstate-469, this double-track main line was controlled by an operator at a CTC machine inside a little, single-story brick interlocking tower, "Thorne", which was located just east of the 469 overpass. You will notice that this trail doubles in width for a couple of miles at it east end, where the paralleling power line switches over from the north to the south side of the trail. This was a 4-track right-of-way out here, two main tracks with an eastward and a westward passing siding on both sides of those main tracks. At the end of the trail, and at that widening point, there were remote-controlled crossovers and signals, controlled by "Thorne" Tower, called "CP-East Riley" and "CP-West Riley." (James Whitcomb Riley) The names the Pennsy used at its "controlled points" (CP's) and towers were often most interesting, sometimes named after famous people or landmarks, and sometimes mysteriously named. This is a great trail that is well used and enjoyed. The Pennsy Trail is a MUST for trail enthusiasts and railroad historians alike! The people of Greenfield have a real gem out here that they should be most proud of! Nice work, guys! -Rich Ballash, Latrobe PA 9/16/2012
I agree with previous reviews, not a lot to see, but you will be hard pressed to find a trail that is in better shape or more accessible. I rode it in on 07/21/2012 when we had an 85 degree day after three weeks of 100 degree heat, so I was fortunate to have ridden it on a perfect day. Definitely ride if you're in the area, it is a well-kept as any trail you will ever be on. The city of Greenfield should be commended. I'll give it a 4 just because of the upkeep!
The Pennsy Trail in Greenfield, IN is a mostly linear trail as would be expected with a rail-trail. The in-town portion of the trail passes by light manufacturing and warhousing areas as well as a few neighborhoods. There are not too many cross streets to deal with and there is a safety gate at the busiest intersection at State Road 9.
The east and west sections outside of the downtown area are fairly similar with trees on both sides of the trail, but no real canopy over the trail. The western leg does curve north around a large business compound and skirts near US 40 for a short while and then jogs back south to bick up the old rail line again. This is a welcomed diversion from the otherwise straight trail. The rural areas offer some views of farm fields and open fields, but in many places the views are blocked by the trees on both sides in the summer months. However, the trees do block some businesses that front US 40, so the lack of view on this side of the trail is a good thing. The eastern leg passes by a mature stand of trees on the south side, which did offer afternoon shade on the trail in late summer. This section also passes over Brandywine Creek.
There are parking lots at each trailhead and a fairly spacious one at the trailend on CR 150 W. The trailhead at CR 400 E also has a port-o-let.
All in all, this is a very nice trail that is well marked and maintained. The 5.3 mile distance makes it a nice biking option since it is over 10 miles roundtrip. The trail is not particularly scenic, which is why I rated it a 3 instead of a 4. However, don't let this discourage you from using the trail. It is a very nice trail and I would recommend it.
This trail is close to home just a 15 mile bike ride.. It is really a nice trail, paved all the way. A new addition was added to make it about 3 miles longer.
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