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Print Friendly MapThe Sugar Creek Trail meanders on the southwestern outskirts of Crawfordsville through suburban back yards, wooded parks and cultivated fields. It follows part of an old Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway corridor, popularly known as the Big Four Railroad, that dates to 1868.
The paved trail, which doesn't follow a rail corridor at its southern end, begins behind Crawfordsville High School's entrance off State Route 47 and carries along a somewhat hilly route along SR 32, crossing over two bridges along the way. Turning north, a scenic stretch of trail winds through the woods across from RR Donnelley Book Publishing Service's massive Crawfordsville facility before ending, appropriately, at RR Donnelley Trailhead Park.
At Schenck Road, the trail picks up the former rail corridor and heads west through dense woodlands, passing by Sportsmen's Club Lake and through the Rock River Trailhead along the way. After crossing the Nucor Bridge over Sugar Creek, the trail ends in peaceful forest south of Black Creek Valley Road; at this point, trail users must turn around and continue the way they came.
Parking and trail access are as follows:
See TrailLink Map for more detailed directions.
On a business trip I was able to ride two evenings. Beautiful early fall foliage along the way. Asphalt pavement is smooth and a short gravel run along the old railway. Beautiful crossing of Sugar creek on a wooden bridge structure is a sure place to stop and enjoy the view. Well maintained. Multiple sightings of deer, squirrels, and geese. I will definitely return and bring a road bike or mountain bike.
The trail now goes over the creek, on a pedestrian bridge. Saw VERY FEW others on this neat fun rail to trail. There are ‘easy’ hills on the eastern trail, pretty flat otherwise. GREAT COOL SHADE almost all the way!
Got on at the High school. About 3 floors of steps going down (and up later). to narrow cement path, but it got better a mile or so in. Nice asphalt with a few areas of root "rises" halfway in or so. Pay attention to area that it goes through congested area with Pizza Hut and other stores. Easy to lose path if you're not familiar. Measured 4.95 miles to end of path, and it ends with nowhere else to go. Not crowded with a few walkers and dog walkers. Didn't see another biker all day.
as of last year the break in the map shown is now connected. There is also a parking lot next to the animal shelter which is where you can get on the trail. (that is the connection point) You do not have to go the west end anymore to get on it. It is all paved. My biggest complaint is that it still does not connect to downtown trail head park. which would solve the other problem, which is , it is too short.
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