From level farmland to rolling hills, Indiana offers a variety of terrains for both novice and experienced hikers. Because of the varied terrain, Indiana has become home to hiking clubs, groups of people who come together to enjoy the great outdoors through hiking. Whether an organized club or just a group hiking together, Indiana's hiking clubs offer an assortment of experiences.
Indiana's Trail System
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has compiled an inventory of more than 1,000 miles of trails open to hiking. Although many of these trails are also open to biking and horseback riding, some are open exclusively to hikers. They range from urban walks to multi-mile backwoods hikes. The DNR has chosen to highlight the long-distance trails on its website, but the complete inventory is also available.
Hiking Clubs in Indiana
Because of these miles of trails, Indiana is home to several different hiking clubs, the oldest of which is the Indianapolis Hiking Club, started in 1957. The newer clubs include the Bloomington Hikers, begun in 1999, and the Indiana Appalachian Trail Club, started in 2000 for fans of the Appalachian Trail. The Central Indiana Wilderness Club is an outdoor adventure club that organizes not only hiking trips but a variety of outdoor recreation excursions, including camping, bicycling, and canoeing.
Hiking Club Members
These clubs are open to anyone, generally 18 and over, interested in hiking, whether experienced or not. The Bloomington Hikers includes people with a wide range of ages in its members, from hikers in their 20s to those in their 60s. The Indianapolis Hiking Club requires that a member be at least 18 to join and also has members from all age groups. The Central Indiana Wilderness Club is open to hikers of all ages but has a rating system for its trips, many of which are open to adults only.
Hiking Destinations
The destinations for hikes vary from club to club. Although most of the Indianapolis Hiking Club's hikes center on Indianapolis and the surrounding area, the club does organize trips to other destinations, including Brown County State Park in Indiana and Germany. The Bloomington Hikers keep their destinations closer to Bloomington while the Central Indiana Wilderness Club organizes trips to destinations around the United States.
Difficulty and Length
The hikes undertaken by these clubs range in difficulty and length. The Central Indiana Wilderness Club's annual trip to Isle Royale National Park covers five days and 40 miles of trails. The Bloomington Hikers' hikes are between 10 and 15 miles, and the Indianapolis Hiking Club's Indianapolis hikes range from four to 25 miles, include both self-guided and guided hikes, and encompass everything from slow walks to rigorous hikes.
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