The One Loop Trail In Indiana That's Perfect For A Short Day Hike, No Matter What Time Of Year
By Tori Jane|Published February 19, 2022
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
Indiana is host to some of the most amazing hiking trails in the Midwest. There are more than 1,000 awesome hikes all over the Hoosier State to choose from. With so many options available at your fingertips, it might be a little difficult to decide where to begin, but that’s okay – we’ve got you covered. We love finding interesting and beautiful hikes you can do year-round, no matter when the mood strikes and this one is especially wonderful. It’s nestled within Clifty Falls State Park, and it features not one, not two, but three waterfalls – conditions allowing, of course. This loop trail in Indiana is easily one of the best; no wonder it’s one of the most beloved among locals and visitors alike.
The most challenging part of this trail is keeping up with it.
At times, it can be poorly marked, and some folks have complained about getting lost, though those reports are in the minority among rave reviews from hikers who had no issues at all. This is a good trail for you if you're an active hiker who pays close attention to their surroundings as opposed to someone like this writer, who enjoys meandering aimlessly and seeing where she ends up. That's an easy way to get lost on this trail, so make sure you're well-rested and attentive.
Besides, you won't want to miss out on all the amazing sights there are to see along the way.
This trail is a six-mile loop that takes you past three waterfalls: Clifty Falls, Hoffman Falls, and Tunnel Falls (hence the trail's name). These falls are all significantly more active during spring snowmelt and following good, solid rainstorms.
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For optimal waterfall viewing, you'll definitely want to time this hike accordingly.
It's worth the wait. The falls are breathtaking, and in the warmer months, the lush, emerald-green forest surrounding each one feels like something out of a J.R.R. Tolkien novel instead of Indiana.
Us? Personally, we'd rather take our boots off and soak them in the chilly water for a while, but that's up to you.
The trail features all kinds of interesting features other than the falls; you'll also happen upon a "cave," some bridges, and lots of points of interest worth checking out.
This one is great for a full-day hike; it's the perfect length for spending hours getting distracted along the way without taking TOO long. Stop and smell the roses - this trail, and the surrounding wilderness, is to die for.
Your inner photographer will likely want to be unleashed, so be sure to bring your camera, or at least a camera phone.
You'll find yourself dreaming of coming back to this trail time and time again; the best news is that you can! It's open year-round, and each season is something entirely new around here, so seriously - come back, at least once per season. You won't regret it!
Indiana doesn't seem to get enough credit for its natural beauty, if you ask us.
