Monon Trail Reviews

I run on the Monon twice a week it is beautiful awe inspiring quiet amazing and existential-it is excellent for running without interruption it is a beautiful way to exercise it’s amazing and I’m so glad it is here.. Ron put on a podcast and enjoy the beautiful view and beautiful path through the woods

Felt safe waking alone.
Walked about a mile north of downtown Carmel.
Parking lots available if nothing on street is available. Some construction going south.
A treasure for Indy travelers and residents.

Great for getting exercise, fresh air or seeing the birds. What all of America should be doing with old rail right of ways! bath rooms at the 146th area and 96th street area. And free.

Great trail for biking. Smooth, well kept. Long distance or short whatever your preference. It goes they towns so if you are one that wants to stop for lunch or a snack, that’s available for you. I would not recommend going on the trail solo during off hours due to safety reasons. That is the only reason I didn’t give it a 5 star. Other than that, it’s excellent. It even goes pass a park and a water park if you want to make it a day with the kids!!

I love the evening stroll down this scenic walkway. You could also run or bike. I will come here again for sure!

A friend who had recently moved to Indianaoplis in nearby Carmel took us to this trail for a morning walk. It is paved and nice on a fall day but most bikers seemed to brush by us too close for comfort while some, a very few, gave us an audible warning. Older people may not hear even that but it helps. There is a great sports complex on the trail for bathrooms and water and good parking and numerous water stops here and there too.

The part in Hamilton County is well maintained with lots of amenities. The part in Indy leaves very much to be desired.

We stayed a couple of blocks from the trail while on vacation and rode 4 of 6 days-north into Carmel and south into town, up and down the Fall Creek path and over to the Towpath. It’s almost entirely flat, plenty wide and lots of shade. What a great way to see the area!

I walked along this trail on a recent visit to the city. It was a great trail. We walked about 3.5 miles on it. Walked around the aquatic center too. Wish I had my kids with so we could have went.

I am an active cyclist and the Monon Trail that goes North of Carmel all the way to Indianapolis is a pure delight. My main route is from Zionsville thru Carmel where I catch the Monon @ 136th street and south to Broad Ripple to the Butler University area. The trail offers so much not just for the cyclist,the Rollerblade enthusiast, the Jogger and the good ol' walker. Along its way one can find many eateries, shops (bicycle aplenty), rest areas with bathrooms, benches and scenic sights. One of the most remarkable moments for me has been the assistance, the concern, suggestions whenever I faced a bike malfunction, normally a flat tire, that proves the Hoosier hospitality is alive and well. The Monon in Carmel offers more than just rest stops, eateries, etc but the Arts as well and skate board park, swimming pools and bike rentals. Both the City of Carmel, Indianapolis, Westfield and soon to be Noblesville are commended for bringing and continuing this marvel and its cultural diversity to the masses. The ride along the canal in Broad Ripple is stunning and relaxing and if your hungry by this time there places to eat aplenty. The Indianapolis Police Department Horse Patrol and cycling police officers make it comforting to know that your safety is a main concern. Family riders, individual riders, team riders all can be found on the Monon "Stretch." It's fun, safe and most important very healthy entertainment for any age and I have seen from newborns to geriatrics partaking this magnificent spectacle. So what are you waiting for? Like the saying you seen many a time, "Just Do It!"

Very pretty place to walk in the day, nature trail is perfect for a leisurely stroll or hardcore exercise. However, be careful of the road crossings as not everyone stops for pedestrians.

Nice to walk and ride bike. can be a little busy on the weekends in certain spots. The nice thing is if you want to see people you can go towards Broadripple or downtown Carmel. If you want to free your mind get out toward Westfield. Some new bridges make it a fun walk. Just learn the rules of the road and always stay to the right.

1st trip on the this trail. Started at Sun King in Broad Ripple (we didn't realize it was Grand Opening) and went up to Westfield. Amazed how nice people were at street crossings. Stopped in Carmel for lunch. Loved it!

This trail is 100% paved asphalt and in very good condition. The Broad Ripple to Carmel portion of this trail is heavily used by bikers, walkers, and skaters. This section has a very urban feel with many neighborhoods and shopping areas. Restaurants/cafes are trail side. North and south of the named communities the trail is less crowded and has an industrial, office park feel. Water and restrooms are readily available.

During a weekend stay in Carmel I was on the Monom trail twice. The first time was after my wife an I had dinner on a Saturday night. We walked about 1/2 of a mile south of Downtown. The trail was nice clean and flat but most of the view was urban. The following morning I started again at downtown Carmel and ran North. Most of the next 3 miles were in the shade of trees on both sides of the path. The path is again flat and clean. It was a hot day but the shade made it bearable. I also ran a spur trail to Carmel High School. It was ok and crossed over a small historic bridge.

The next time I am in Carmel I will be taking my road bike and riding the trail. The trail goes to downtown Indy and then you can connect to many other miles of trail like the Fall Creek trail that goes out to the far East side of Indy to Fort Benjamin Harrison.

The Monon Trail is an exceptional linear park. Enjoy a walk or bike ride from Indianapolis to Westfield. There are great stops in Broad Ripple, over the White River, Nora, and Carmel.

Really nice trail. 96th street trailhead was not far from drury hotel, did 5 miles out and back on trail for 10mile run. Good mix of woods, homes, and downtown Carmel to look at along the way. Plenty wide to support many users.

The trail is nice. Some words of advice. Stay on one side as it is quite busy. Be very wary at some spots especially just south of City Center Drive and Main St. as there are many people who don't pay attention and step out onto the trail.

What a wonderful way to experience the heartbeat of Indy! Started of in Carmel renting a bike with Zagster. This trail is wide, smooth, full of friendly people and fun sites. Great places to eat along the way, and plenty of places to rest as well.

This is a terrific trail on which to ride one's bike for several miles. Most of the terrain is flat and sometimes it gets crowded, but for much of the time, it's pretty open and a great way to loose oneself on the bike. There are pull-over places for water and restroom breads as needed.

This trail is gorgeous and tree covered. There will continue to be pain as a Carmel goes through lots of construction along the trail, but it is the best place to bike!

Love the Monon!!! 20+ miles of flat trail to walk, run, bike, whatever...someone in public service finally got something right. Recycling former railroad tracks never looked & felt so good.

Have been a frequent walker on many parts of the trail for over 10 years. When I first moved to the area, the trail ended at 96th Street & turned into a dirt alley. The way it has been extended & expanded is marvelous. Easy to walk into downtown Carmel’s Arts District or, in the other direction to Broad Ripple.

One can access the trail anywhere between downtown Indy & the far north suburbs, and go in either direction as long as you’d like. There are “rest stops” (at least in Carmel) with bathrooms, water fountains & benches, and ample spots to get “doggy bags” to clean up after pets (I just wish more people used them) and there could also be more garbage cans for disposal of said bags.

Most users are courteous & have etiquette of letting you know when they’re going to pass, or pausing to let you “merge” into traffic. Of course there are always jerks who would rather run you over than slow down for 5 seconds.

Using the trail in Broad Ripple makes for a fun adventure: since many shops are pet-friendly you can incorporate a bit of browsing into your exercise; or stop at one of the pet-friendly pubs for an outdoor drink/bite to eat. That said, crime is also a thing so it’s not wise to load yourself up with expensive tech or carry a visible wallet/ purse - I usually stash a small amount of cash in my sock, but keep my pepper spray close just in case.

It does get a little sketchy south of 52nd Street so I wouldn’t advise being out there alone or around sunset, and if I had one overall complaint it would be - in several areas - there are trailside residents that need to fix their fencing because they have aggressive dogs that, if they went thru the fence, would most likely attack people/dogs out on the trail. I’m kind of surprised the Parks Department doesn’t address this with homeowners.

I was staying in Arden Hills neighborhood through an Airbnb host. She loaned me her bike and a helmet and off I went! It was nice to bike stopping when I wanted to enjoy art along the trail and also stopped for lunch. I entered the trail near the INdianapolis Art Center which is lovely with several art pieces in the park. My favorite was the blue tile sculpture piece in which beautiful sayings, affirmations and quotes were written. It was a great ride!

My granddaughter and I had a lovely walk enjoying a variety of plants, watching the many dogs parading by with their masters, ending a a lovely little playground. We could have gone on for miles.

This is one of the best things in Carmel. This trail connects most of all the cities best. It has water and bathrooms located along the trail. There are numerous places to park to get on the trail. It is well marked with mileage markers. The trail has been extended up into other areas north now too. It goes south into Indianapolis as well.

My granddaughter and I rode the trail from 86th street to the Carmel business district and back, ten miles. This portion of the trail was shaded by a lovely canopy of trees and was most enjoyable on an exceptionally hot day. The frequent road crossings on this section of the trail are well marked and most drivers generously stopped to let us pass. My granddaughter is still a novice biker, so biking from 9:45 - 11:30 on a Wednesday was perfect as the trail was not very crowded. I hope to return to ride another portion of this wonderful trail.

The Monon Trail is a former railway turned into a bike, running, walking path which goes for miles extending from Indianapolis north through Carmel to Westfield. It makes working out fun, social and interesting and can even feel like more of a nature walk. Parts of the trail also run through quaint areas like the City Center (be sure to catch the Farmer's market on Saturdays during the summer!) and the shops on Main Street in the Arts District.

What an unexpected fun surprise. I had no idea anything like this existed. Walk, ride your bike, walk your dog or kids...fun for anyone. We couldn't get over how clean a trail and so many using it. So many different activities. I am sure the prettier the day the busier it is because it has a lot of variety to do.

enjoyed 22 miles of this nice bike ride. Several good stopping places for lunch or drinks. Found a good bike repair shop for a flat tire. Loves the bridges, streams and deer. Nicely shaded most of the time with not to many crossroads.

My fiancé and I took a trip to ride the Mono trail earlier this month. We have traveled to quite a few different cities to ride, and were very excited to see what Indianapolis had to offer. I googled a trail head that put us at the south end of the city to park at O'bannon soccer field. I would NOT recommend parking here at all. There are boarded up houses and factories everywhere. Your car may not be there when you get back kinda feeling. Plus, my fiancé had a knife pointed at him when he stopped at a marathon station and asked for the key to the bathroom. Sketchy area to say the least! We ended up paying $15 to park at white river state parking garage. You can access one of the other bike trails that will take you to the Monon right outside the garage. There are a lot of stoplights to go through until you reach the Monon. There is a nice area called Broad ripple that has coffee shops, ice cream shops, and food options that reminded us of the little Miami in Cincinnati. Other than that, this trail was not that spectacular. The neighborhoods were pretty sketchy in most areas, and I wouldn't feel comfortable riding some of the areas alone as a single female. Other than that, it is a decent trail, but not one we would ride again.

This Trail begins in Westfield and goes all the way to downtown Indy! With stops and great scenery along the way, it is picturesque and great for health and fresh air. Enjoy!

Get place to walk and get exercise in Carmel/Westfield Indiana. The trail can get very busy on weekends and fast moving bikes can be slightly dangerous. Nice mix of sun and shaded areas.

We did a bike share through the app Zagster and picked up bikes on Main St in Carmel. We went south to Broad Ripple. Round trip it is about 15 miles. We had a delightful time biking. Lots of food and shopping options in Broad Ripple. We loved the flea market!

Perfect for a little exercise, you can even take your pets. You can bike, walk or run. Family friends - you'll see strollers.

I was looking to get in a run in a safe environment. Monon Trail is the place!! It's 24 miles end to end with a huge variety of on/off areas with parking and, in some cases, restrooms and water fountains. I got on at the Monon Center, a rec center in Carmel. Ran north about 3 miles into old/new Carmel. Beautiful! Travel south a mile or so as well, in what was mostly wooded residential. This is a great place to run whether you're fast slow or just out for a walk. My only complain is the cyclists don't call-out "on your left" when passing. A couple went by doing 25-30 mph (in my estimate). So, don't listen to loud music if you want to be safe.

The Monon trail in Carmel is probably the best man made trail I've been on besides the Pinellas Trail in Florida. There are lots of great stops for food, drink, ice cream, sightseeing and specialty shops.

The Monon Trail in Hamilton county is very well maintained compared to Marion county. The Trail is kept clean from leaves and branches. It's always a beautiful place for exercise!

Fun biking trail from downtown Indy to Westfield. Shady & scenic with great places to stop along the way.

The Monon trail is the perfect place to take a walk, run, bike, walk your dog, go on a date, etc. Its beautiful and wooded in some places and it runs right through the middle of the city so you can easily exit the trail and find some good food and drinks nearby

Wanted to get away for a quick weekend -- and built a July 4th trip around the trail. Started midway on one day and went north. Next day we went south. Found the trail to be shaded most of the way, easy pedaling with sights and rest areas scattered throughout. Food, etc along the way too. We had a great time on the trail!.

The area going through Carmel is very nice and scenic. I have only used it when walking to lunch so I haven't been very far on it. Definitely enjoyable.

Fantastic trail for a weekend exploration of Indy. I had 1 weekend in Indy and did White River one way and back via Monon - perfect way to see some of the city and have a bite 1/2 way in Broad Ripple.

The Monon Trail is a great place to walk, bike, or run. It offers a quiet and serene atmosphere to clear your thoughts, enjoy an evening stroll with your significant other, and has the ability to connect communities together.

Rented bikes in downtown Carmel and hit the trail. Such fun riding down to Broad Ripple. Beautiful, well kept trail.

We parked in the lot by the Art Center and took a short walk down the trail to a cute selection of shops, restaurants & pubs. We felt like we had been transported to Key West! Great food at Flatwater Restaurant and a side of sass from our waiter, David! Also really enjoyed sitting on the front porch with an ice cold beer at Plump's Last Shot.

We love the Monon and the length and location. We appreciate being able to go to many areas of the city, downtown Carmel, north to Westfield....fabulous place to bike...but us retirees choose to use it during the week when the “spandex crowd” are not as visible. Much less crowded and an easier pace.

Monon trail is very easily accessible from Westfield, Carmel, Indianapolis. Great for outdoor exercises for individual, group or family. This trail has access from Carmel downtown.

A fantastic bike trail! Well thought out and well executed! Smooth, flat and well maintained. The Mohon Trail passes through downtown Carmel, where one can find restaurants, coffee houses, micro breweries, and shops. Water fountains and clean public restrooms here and there along the trail. We put in a 28 mile ride and easily could have covered more, if time allowed!

This is a former train track that went from downtown Indianapolis to Chicago. You can walk it or bike it from Carmel and further north all the way to Monument Circle. I walked a very short portion of it that passes by the Center for Performing Arts in Carmel.

We love this trail. You can walk for miles and miles or just take short walks. We always do 6 to 10 miles. People are friendly and it is beautiful in the Spring, Summer and Fall.

My brother, my friend and I took the bikes and directed ourselves to the Monon Trail starting from my house, which is located about 10 minutes from the Monon; that is you are riding your bike. The Monon is about 4 miles long so it took me about 8 miles to get back home. I had not been on a bike in about a year, so it was a great exercise! Love it. Great views too!

We walk this trail whenever we have time when we visit family that lives close. There are a lot of places accessible off of the trail with ice cream shops, a pond, a pool, a rec center and restaurants.

This is a busy walking trail that accommodates bikers and walkers. It cuts through the heart of Carmel, including Main Street where shops and restaurants abound.

I've never walked the entire trail, but it is easy to navigate for any age group, including bikers, and children in strollers. The area I walked provided shade, also at intervals there are benches to sit. Not sure how many restrooms along the trail, but there is a clean one within my walking area.

My husband and I recently had the pleasure of biking the Monon/Greenway Trail in Carmel, Indiana. What a beautiful and well cared for busy path in a lovely town. The path is very well maintained, smooth and flat. The scenery is beautiful, and on Saturdays during the summer there is a great farmer's market right off the trail at the Civic Square - they even have a youth group that will babysit your bike while you shop for a small donation.

This trail seems very practical, meaning that it is a method of transportation to several shopping areas. We visited here thinking it was more of a distance trail for bikers, but it is mostly used as a means of transportation (walking/ biking) to Clay Terrace shopping, Carmel historic district, and Broad Ripple. It is a great trail & well maintained, but it is a bit crowded with walkers & families traveling to the Community Center/Water Park (which is located right on the trail) to be used for speeding or exercise biking. But if you're just up for a leisurely bike trip to an historic district, this is perfect. Not for the serious bikers who want to travel at 20+mph.

One of the best amenities of Indianapolis and its northern suburbs is the Monon Trail, and it just keeps getting longer and better! From near downtown Indy through Carmel and into Westfield, this paved trail is perfect for biking, walking, running, and skating. People of all ages, from infants through the elderly, love to spend active outdoors time on this very flat trail. The scenery varies from tree-lined green areas to industrial sites to dining and shopping areas to residential areas. When the weather is great, the trail is very busy in the evenings and on the weekends. It does close at sunset so plan accordingly. There are public restrooms and drinking fountains at the 96th Street trail access parking lot, under the fountain by Carmel government offices, between 136th and 146th at another access parking lot, and north of 146th Street at a Westfield Utilities Dept. site.The only things that prompt warnings are the bikers who seem to think this is a training track and go way too fast and street crossings at which motorists have the right-of-way. Otherwise this is a fabulous railtrail for all to enjoy!

A fantastic trail. Hay way to enjoy the outdoors in and around Indianapolis. Walk, run or bike. .. it doesn't matter. Well kept and very pretty.

A great place to people watch while getting in some exercise. Depending on the time of year - the leaves can be in full color, or in summer canopy the trail. Try a bike ride - there are rentals available if you don't visit. Stop by the Carmel Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings.

The trail extends from Westfield in the North to Indianapolis South. I have only biked it as far North as you can go, and to 86th Street in Nora is the furthest South. It gets a bit crowded in downtown Carmel, but well worth it to bike downtown C for some lunch or a beverage where you can sit outside and people watch.

The Monon Trail is a beautiful well maintained path that cuts through Carmel and the surrounding areas. It is a great place to walk or bike. It feels really safe at all times of the day. This is a relaxing place to visit.

The Monon Trail is an 18.6 mile long trail running from Indianapolis through Carmel to Westfield. It is a rail trail, was developed on an old railroad grade. It is paved throughout with several bridges to cross over busy intersections.Many people enjoy the trail. I, myself bike or walk the trail. It is accessed by young people on roller blades, families with small children, seniors going for a Sunday stroll and many others. Pet friendly with a leash restriction. There are several places to take a break, with water facilities for both residents and their pets. I enjoy the walk with lots of shade trees. It is patrolled in Carmel police and has a time limit of dusk to dawn for safety. If you like a treat on your walk you can go into several of our downtown Carmel food shops, ice cream, pizza, a cold brew, or a delicious burger. Must see and enjoy the trail. It is great.

Right in the middle of Indy, this walking trail is a very nice gem. We took an evening walk after dinner. Despite being a hot and humid August evening, we were quite comfortable because of the trees lining the trail. The cicadas were in full swing with their buzzing but we found this comforting because we were visiting "home" from 2000 miles away.

I walked the Monon during the week. I nearly had the place to myself and as a woman alone I felt safe. No hidden curves and well paved.

The Monon Trail is 18 miles of rail trail, essentially a paved trail along the old Monon railroad bed. The trail is mostly flat with bridges, tunnels, & overpasses over busy streets with a few street crossings at others. It begins in the town of Westfield at Quaker Park near highway 32 and heads south, through Carmel, Nora, & Broad Ripple, ending at 16th Street In Indy. The northern section in Hamilton County is shady, has lots of users and goes right through the Carmel Arts & Design District, where you can grab a bite to eat or shop. Riding south into Marion County, you cross two bridges over the White River and once again can stop for an ice cream cone or lunch at one of the restaurants in Broad Ripple. Continuing on to 38th St, you can access the state fairgrounds, where during the fair you can safely park your bike at a kiosk for a dollar and visit the fair. I've not gone past that point, but the trail continues on for about 2 miles. Directions, maps & more info can be found here: https://www.traillink.com/trail/monon-trail.aspx
The trails is dog friendly, easy for kids & adults and safe.

I love living where I live ... about a seven minute walk from access to the Monon Trail. It provides me with exercise, but so much more. When walking, I say prayers of gratitude, meditate, appreciate the friendships that I see of people walking by, love the animals that are getting to enjoy the trail and just bask in the gorgeous ambiance.

Spent many Saturdays running this trail before my knee went. It is an outstanding place to run. Would avoid running through some areas through Indy if your not in a group.

20+ miles from north of Carmel to almost the center-city of Indianapolis is one stunning reclamation of former rails to an idilic straight and flat path for runners, bikers, walkers, joggers, and anyone who moves at any pace. Best use of private to public space ever, in the heartland of America.

very beautiful and quaint "trail" from Indy to Westfield
great resource for all to be active
a bit north of 96th street

This is a fairly recent addition to Carmel's many attractions. The Monon trail is a linear paved pathway which was converted from an old abandoned railway line running north from Indianapolis through the old and central part of Carmel. The total length of the trail is more than any reasonable walker could traverse in a day. It may be entered and exited at a number of different locations at the complete discretion of the user. As it follows the old Monon rail line, there are none of the roadside distractions, such as billboards and signage that one encounters on a typical highway. Rather, it cuts cleanly through the countryside and, once in Carmel proper, abuts the Carmel Arts and Design District, known for quaint stores, art for sale, restaurants and the like. For anyone, whether solo or as a family, looking for a bit of exercise, scenic vistas, and a pleasant afternoon, the Monon Trail is not to be missed.

We took an enjoyable morning run down the Monon from around 80th Street to Broad Ripple. Route was straight, flat and scenic. Broad Ripple area changed the scenery and its was pretty enjoyable short diversion around the town.
Also impressed with the Park Services who had cleared a fallen tree by the time we finished our loop. Well Done guys!

We were spending a week in Carmel I would love to have these trails back home. A beautiful 12 mile trail that goes through the whole city. It’s all paved and mostly shaded. Tons of people were out there walking, jogging, biking loved it!

The Monon Trail is a great place to walk, roller blade, ride bikes, etc. It is a fun place to walk that is safe and friendly. There are stops along it with restrooms, water fountains, and restaurants and ice cream shops. I know some people who commute on the Monon Trail and ride their bikes all the way into downtown Indianapolis.

The monon trail goes from downtown Indy to Westfield. Much of the trail is shady since it is a repurposed old railroad track. It had frequent exits for shopping & dining & has many free parking lots along the way. The trail is clearly marked with yield signs for walkers, runners and non-motorized bikers. There are frequent restrooms & benches & dogs are allowed.

Walking the Monon is a favorite activity. Exercising along the nicely guided trails, particularly in fall or spring weather, rejuvenates body and soul. Markers inform distance, and breaks along the trails are managed and appreciated.

Love finding good trails in cities. This trail is at least 15mi one way. The trail is wide enough, is used frequently by walkers, runners, bikers, etc. The trail takes you through some pretty scenery. Yoy have shade, sun, rivers, small towns, suburbs, restaurants, ice cream shops all in the trail side. You do have to cross a few big intersections, but they are will marked and I felt safe crossing. More smaller streets to cross but those are very doable! Overall a great place for a workout, stroll,etc!

So much fun! Rent a bike or bring your own. Great way to see this family friendly city. There is also a cool microbrewery bar along the path you can stop at to have a drink and hear a little outdoor music.

We were visiting the area and discovered the Monon Trail. It is a lovely and lengthy trail to walk, run, skate, or bike. Just be courteous and watch out for slower walkers and children. It was not overly crowded on a May weekend and the part we were on felt very safe. With trails like this that connect different areas of town, it is a motivator to walk or bike to things rather than just hopping in the car. There are eateries, play places, and resting areas all along the way. Find the cool Carmel sign in the Midtown area for a great photo. If I remember correctly, the trail is about 26 miles long running from downtown Indianapolis up to the Carmel and Westfield areas. Great find!!

What's not to love about the Monon? I would love to see Hamilton County, especially Fishers, adopt more these multi use trails. They are phenomenal for a myriad of reasons such as connecting different segments of a town or city, providing a safe location for citizens to exercise and for family and friends to connect and spend time outdoors. I like the fact that on northern parts of the Monon there are rest rooms and water fountains-water for the four legged friends too! Give me more Monons!

THE trail in indianapolis/carmel. Great for running, walking, biking or anything active. Runs right by a lot of great places to eat, hang out.

Nice walking trail. What makes the monn particularly nice is that there are places along the way to stop if you want to grab a cup of coffee, breakfast or even a beer - particularly down near the arts and design district.

If you are looking to get away from the hectic pace of your day grab someone or go by yourself to enjoy what nature has to offer. You can go for a mile run, or a 20 mile bike ride. Whatever you mind set is for the day take a stroll on the Monon Trail. Who knows you might run into someone you know. The trail begins in downtown Indpls. and end north of the city in the town of Westerfield. Stop along the way to smell the flowers, grab some eats and enjoy your day.

This is a great place to walk with friends and family. Safe, full of trees, nice atmosphere and bikers and skaters are really nice calling your attention when about to pass by you. Great also to walk with your dog; lots of others dogs to socialize and meet other dog owners. Extremely nice environment. It's worth a canine drive to check it out.

What a great use of the old train line, and north of Indy you can see the investments made by Carmel and Westfield.

Biggest issue are the bikers who think it is a race track. When busy joggers might get frustrated zig zagging around people and groups.

We recently walked the trail for an hour or so after dinner at Bub’s Burgers in downtown Carmel. I’m sure we will return soon for more exploring. One main attraction for the trail at this point is its proximity to the shops and restaurants in Carmel. We walked south from Main St. down past the Palladium to Gradle Drive where the summer Wednesday night concerts are held. Unfortunately, the concert was late getting stated due to the heavy rainfall that day, and the threat of thunder storms. I’m sure the trail can be overly crowded during peak times. Next we will probably try to walk north to see what is there, or go south as far as Central Park south of 116th St.

It's a nice way to relax and enjoy the area and the area and good conversation with friends they keep it clean and safe on a nice day you will enjoy your time with friends and family

I visit the Monon Trail at least 3x/week to do my marathon training. It's beautiful, clean and has all the amenities a runner needs. In Carmel, it's marked every quarter mile. My only wishes are for water fountains to be on in March. There are several restrooms either on the trail, or right off. If you're looking for hill, you won't find many here. Hills are pretty much overpasses or underpasses. It has always been safe, but use your head. If you're running, don't go in unfamiliar areas alone. And be aware of cyclists who sometimes don't announce their presence. Definitely, don't be on the trail alone in the dark.

I grew up in Indianapolis and sure wished the Monon Trail existed at that time. It is a superb non-motorized trail and a terrifi amenity for Indy, Carmel, and Westfield. Very nice recent additions include bridges and underpasses at some of the busier crossings, a bicycle fixit station and restrooms. Well done!

Definitiely give the Monon a whirl when you are there!

The Monon Trail is a fun venue. We’ve ridden our bikes, walked our dog and walked on it with our granddaughters. There are parts that are shaded when it’s hot out. I highly recommend enjoying the trail.

Relaxed and casual dining. We went on a sunny afternoon and enjoyed eating outside. Wait staff is fantastic and were patient with our small children. Food was tasty and fresh!

Easy to park and walk this trail. We often park at the lot just South of 146th street and walk into Carmel to eat. On July 4th it was really busy with walkers, runners, bikers, and skaters of all ages. We walked to Carmel fest at the city hall and walked over 14,000 steps. Almost 6 miles round trip. We stopped at a couple of places along the way to get drinks and use the restroom. I would recommend stopping to eat and look around. The trail is clean and in the fall they go over it with a leaf blower. They've also installed lights in the underpasses.

My mother-in-law goes walking here almost daily and so when we visit we go too. It is a great place with many trails and some local wildlife and wild flowers to see along the way. Was never too crowded, all kinds of people, young to old and families to singles. CCTV in various places which makes one feel safer if you are walking alone or odd hours...there were always people around too. The trails are shared with walkers and bikers so just pay attention for everybody's safety.

We bike, walk, and just use to get around the town of Carmel. It is safe and a fun way to use our time outdoors.

We loved this trail! My husband and I have biked a fair number of Rails to Trails including Hall of Famers and we both agreed that this one was a real standout!

We biked from northern Indy to Carmel for lunch and back on a lovely Sunday morning/afternoon. This was the busiest rails to trails path we'd been on, and it was great to see everyone out enjoying the beauty of it all! Plenty of shade on a hot day was a real plus, and everyone was pleasant and easy going despite the heavy traffic and diverse mix of walkers, runners, and bikers.

After heading north for about 6 miles, we went off trail to explore Broad Ripple and enjoyed our visit to Monon Coffee Company. Nice atmosphere, real mugs, and good coffee! It was too early for lunch, but there were lots of places that looked good there.

Our next stop was lunch at City BBQ in Carmel. Delicious and the service was excellent! Afterwards we headed back toward Indy and stopped at the Indiana State fair which has a gate right off the trail. It was a fun way to end our day on the trail.

We especially enjoyed the bridges along the way and loved seeing folks (and their dogs) playing and cooling off in the river flats. Water and restroom stops were readily available and the entire ride was only about 28 miles or so and was mostly very flat so it made for a nice easy day!

This is a great trail. Through Carmel it's almost too busy, but if you want to stop and eat, shop, look artound it's great. If you want distance it goes all the way to downtown Indy. Past the fair grounds.

I bike on the Monon Trail on a regular basis. The trail is maintained well and a great place for biking, walking, etc. It has been expanded to the North and you can ride for a long distance without riding in road traffic. There are a few street crossings but not difficult. Also, you can, ride from Carmel to downtown Indianapolis to the Cultural Trail. Many restaurants and businesses are accessable from the trail. I use the trail many times each month. Love it!

This is one of the prettiest bike trails I have ridden on. Everyone should ride it...very level, not many hills...

We walked north from Bub's Burgers and found it shady the whole way. Great variety of segues, bikes, walkers, and strollers.

The Monon Trail is easy to access with many acces points along the trail. The Rohrer Road parking lot (146th St) has bathrooms, drinking fountains and a tool rack with air pump for bikes.
There are benches and fountains at several points along the trail.
The trail is a nice way to avoid traffic. The bridges/underpass go over or under busy roads.
It's a fun bike ride with several places to stop along the way to grab a bite to eat or have a drink.
Many people walk dogs along the trail. You'll find doggie doo-doo bags for clean up and water fountains for the dogs.
It can get busy on weekends. It's great to see so many people out getting exercise.
It is plowed in the winter, offering runners a place to safely run outdoors.
The Monon Trail is one of Carmels best features.

My wife and I use the Monon Trail frequently throughout the year, except when there is snow or ice! It is a wonderful trail with different views along the way and, if you plan before you go, the trail goes right by many, many restaurants and shopping areas. And many of these places along the way allow the use of their restrooms. We like that it is an asphalt surface and is in good shape everywhere we have been on it. Our only frustration has been that in some places there can be a lot of people on it causing a little bit of concern as there are walkers, runners, roller bladers, bicycles, people with pets, people with small children, etc. Still, the trail is in excellent shape and we enjoy it thoroughlyl.

I have been on the Monon from Westfield all the way down to the State Fairgrounds. It is a straight shot with mild elevation changes. It is almost completely shaded and perfect for a nice workout.

Seems like a great combination to me. On a beautiful day, what could be better-and healthy too! Give it a try. Use it often!

We took grandkids with their bikes to kill a couple hours. Nice trail, well maintained, good for kids of elementary school ages.

We rented bikes in Carmel and then took a bike ride down to Indianapolis. The trail is great, most of the way there is tree cover so it doesn't get too hot. There are some coffee shops, ice cream stores and restaurants along the way. This makes for a great day trip to get out and see the area.

If every city had a fabulous walk like this, we would be a healthier population. Dogs, bikes, kids, seniors. It's a great walking trail. I walked 6 miles through Broad Ripple and beyond. Day 2 I walked to SoBro 3 miles and it was just as enjoyable.

If you are looking for great venue to bike, jog or walk, the Monon is the place to be. The trail runs for approx. 18. 5 miles. The former railroad path runs from Westfield down into Indianapolis. You can stop in Carmel and find a number of places along the path to get a drink or food. The path runs right by Bub's and Bazbeaus Pizza, two standout restaurants. Or you can stop in Broad RIpple and dine there.

Under construction at present- should be complete by late spring - will be easy to cycle or walk by spring.
The Monon has abundant artwork to enjoy.

We all decided to ride our bikes about 12 miles each way, the trail is much longer. Along the trail, there are coffee shops, ice cream shops, small cafe's and many other places to stop to rest or have something to eat or drink. Most of the trail is wooded running over creeks and through neighborhoods. It is a very easy trail.
I did discover there are some "rules" Even if there is no one in sight, you stay on your side of the trail. There are a small number of very high speed bicyclists, who do not want to slow down, and display and attitude that they own the trail for personal training. They will come up behind you very quickly..so beware and stay to your lane, or you may be yelled at to move over. This is the only reason I did not give this trail five stars.
This is a wonderful trail for every one of every age. The negative is that there are some very rude people using the trail (they are in the large minority) The trail is safe, but always be careful, as there have been a few incidents along the trail.
We use it often and one of the better features in the Carmel, Indianapolis area. I does get longer and longer and is fun to see the new areas.

Great place with a safe atmosphere to walk and ride a bike. A good place for the family. We go often

Great for walking, biking, rollerblading, you name it. Miles and miles of fun! This is one of the better urban trails I have come across in my travels.

Ive been in Indy many times... But this area is the coolest! Walk anywhere anytime.. Awesome restraunts, bars, along the trail. The downtown Carmel area of the trail, where I was, is serene, almost mayberry, but I could live here ride my bikes and walk with my dogs and Bride. Or just cruise around with pals. What a jewell for Indy metro area. Nicely done yall!

Enjoyed a pleasant hike on the Midland Trace portion of the trail. Well maintained and pleasant diversion from the urban/suburban area. Several exercise venues along the trail. Well worth a visit.

Hamilton County has the best section of Monon Trail. Marion County has let the Trail fall down with very poor maintenance so far in 2016.

Monon trail is use to be a rail road and now it is popular wolk path between Indianapolis and its northern suburbs.

From Downtown to Carmel you just can't beat this trail. We love starting in Indy and riding North. Love grabbing lunch along the way. Also great to park away from the fair grounds or broad ripple and ride in. It's an all round great trail

Safe, convenient bike and pedestrian trail that runs thru Carmel and connects with surrounding cities. Restaurants are on trail with bike racks. Great activity for family or solo.

Felt safe and loved the trees and shade on this sunny beautiful day! Would definitely come back! I wanted to go.for a walk outside and used this forum to find something close to my hotel. Bonus was the Bubs Burgers right on the trail for a fantastic and easy outdoor dinner!

People keep their distance but we enjoy it together. So awesome to go out and walk away from traffic.

We took a bike ride (rental from Zagster) from Carmel, IN towards Indy. Unlike the trails near me in FL, there were lots of really cool places to eat, drink, visit, etc.. There were also bathrooms and water fountains available. We rode past a community center, fitness center, water park which for locals would be great! At the community center, I noticed there was a stop to put air in your tires and tools for repairs, if needed. My sister and I continually kept saying to each other that "they" (Monon, Carmel, Indy ?) got this right! I wish more of these kind of trails across the USA were put together as well as this one!

Use to like to go here to walk with my dog but is too crowded and not safe to walk from the cyclist that go entirely to fast!

What a great place to bike, run or walk! Very clean and maintained- perfect for families!
There are several places to access the trail- like the Monon Center...good parking there.

Indy is very proud of what has been accomplished in the MONON TRAIL..definitely worth your walk, ride roller blading..whatever your pleasure is. Have fun - altho, not a heavy crime area -a few incidences reported. As with anything, leave your valuables at home and take just enough money to stop along the way at eateries etc.

If you are looking for a little relaxation, a little scenery, and a pleasant stroll, the Monon is a great choice. Many small restaurants and bars line the Broad Ripple part of the trail. Good for biking or walking, we have never experienced a problem and have always found the time well spent.

If you've visited this trail in the past, it's time for another visit. The trail has been recently paved north, nearly to highway 32 in Westfield. So, from downtown Indy (10th street/Mass avenue) to Westfield is paved. And, technically, you can get from Fountain Square using the cultural trail.

This trail is safe and all sorts of users get along well: moms with strollers, bikers, bladers, walkers/joggers. The choices for food and beverage are abundant in the Carmel Arts and Design District, Nora (86th Street) and Broad Ripple, as well as downtown.

I'm a blader, and there are some parts that could be better maintained for us, such as some of the tunnels which tend to accumulate wet debris. But...this is an awesome trail and well worth the visit whether you bike, walk, run or blade.

I don't know what there is not a lot about the trail. I do find if I want to bike ride, it is definitely less congested to go north of Carmel - Westfield rather than south because there are a ton of walkers between the greyhound pass entrance and downtown Carmel. I find when it is very crowded you have to really stay on top of what's going on around you because cyclists get very close to you while you're walking - jogging.

If you're reading this review with thoughts of taking your family on the trail for a walk, please keep your group together. I have seen small children run out into the path of bicyclers going pretty fast and it can be scary.

Scenic trail in historic neighborhood. Great wide paved sidewalk. Usually busy. Pedestrian, skate, bike & pet-friendly. Overlook above White River. Very nice.

Well maintained, well lit and safe. It goes from suburbs to the downtown and passes through different cities connecting them to one trail. Really a cool idea, this trail connects to many other trails and it keeps it all very interesting all the time. A must do when in Indiana

By far one of the best trails that we have ever used!! It goes on for miles. And we have never felt like it was unsafe at all. Great for walking, jogging or biking. So glad to have access right near my house.

I will never do it. People get mugged and robbed. Don't do without 10 people and never after dark.Some walkers and bike riders get beat up.

The Monon Trail goes about 30 miles from Downtown Indy out to the small town of Sheridan, Indiana. The Carmel stretch is by far the worst section, especially the MidTown area. A concrete jungle where trail users (including the bar & restaurant patrons) generally act self-absorbed (snooty) showing NO consideration for those around them. Like (seemingly deliberately) obstructing others by ignoring trail use signs (for the separate walk, bike and car lanes), stopping in the middle of the trail rather than stepping to the side, or having their dog leashes stretch across the whole trail. And watch for motorists downtown that seem to enjoy roaring their engines, squealing their tires, and threatening folks crossing on Main Street. North to Westfield or South to Indy (Broad Ripple or further South to the Cultural Trail) are MUCH better experiences- including the trail-side bars/restaurants in Indy (although Westfield near Grand Park has some too).

Whether you're walking, running, biking, or skateboarding, the Monon is a wonderful path for your exercise. It's scenic, safe, and super close to restaurants.

This rails-to-trails goes from north of Westfield all the way to downtown Indy! My experience on nice weather weekends is it is very crowded with bicyclists, strollers, walkers and in line skaters.....so a traffic jam can be potentially dangerous. Watch out for wheelchairs parked in the middle of the trail with bicyclists stopped too! The etiquette is usually pretty good, but inevitable blocking the trail activity when people stop to 'visit' in middle of trail can cause some trouble trying to get around them! I am retired so can go out on the Weekdays - much less traffic problems. But Carmel is lucky to have it connect to the Monon Center, Performing Arts Ctr and Farmer's Market etc.

Nice way to get a bit of exercise and see the neighborhood treasures along the way. Walk, bike, bring the dog - everyone is always friendly and you can walk as long as you want.

Several times a year, I bicycle somewhere on the stretch between 38th and Carmel. Lots of interesting places to stop along the way. Fun, popular, a great place for walk or bike ride. The addition of the tunnel and the bridge up in Carmel a few years back, makes it an even smoother ride.

I was in town visiting friends and we walked part of the trail so that I could see some of the city. The trail is in great condition and plenty of things to see as you walk. It was nice to see a safe place for bikers. I will definitely make more time to walk the trail the next time I am in town.

As trails go, this is a nice smooth, paved, well kept trail. It is also very busy with all sorts of non-motorized transport, including walkers and joggers. And it is only about 10 feet wide. Much of it is well shaded and it has many VERY interesting sights and businesses along the way. Enjoy, but watch out for fast moving bicycles.

Weather you want to walk from downtown to the suburbs or bike, there's lots to see and do along the Monon. The northern part of the trail goes into Westfield and goes south all the way into downtown. The trail was a former railroad so it's nice and flat and most parts are tree covered so it's nice and cool in the summer. There is often a place to grab a bit to eat along the train in Carmel and Broad Ripple and Nora.

the monon is a nicely paved trail. It is smooth and wide enough for 4 to walk side-by-side. The route is mostly tree covered which keeps it cool in the summer.
There are several side routes, eg: out to Fort Ben is a nice side trip.

One of our favorite routes is to start in broadripple, ride south to down town, west on the cultural trail to the canal, southwest to behind the zoo and then north through the west side of IUPUI. Then north on the riverside trail to the canal at 30th street and back to broadripple.

you can take the trail all the way north to state road 32 just west of westfield.

Another nice option is to take some of the dirt trails into Marrott park north of Broadripple and south of 75th street. Or to take a loop around Central Park in carmel.

There are plenty of places to eat along the way if you get hungry.

On nice days it can be crowded and slow and yes dangerous as some cyclist ride to fast and pass without warning. Also not uncommon to have people turn around mid trail without looking back first. The worst is young kids ranging out in front of their parents. You never know what they might do. When biking you have to be very cautious.

A converted railroad bed, the Monon Trail is amazing and so are its users. It's a great place to cycle, blade and walk/run. So many people enjoy it and nearly everyone follows the rules so all can enjoy at their level. Not all can ride a bike at 12 miles an hour or run an 8 minute mile, no problem. Use this trail like one would drive a car, everyone stays to the right of the center line. If you're a fast traveler and need to pass, be sure the left lane is clear and announce yourself.

One can go miles and miles along this trail from downtown Indy north to Westfield. There are several places to get off to the east and west and once downtown, the culture trail takes you around the city.

There are a few buildings with paintings on them, community gardens, stores, restaurants, parks, coffee shops galore. I saw several folks out doing their marketing and riding home on bikes with dinner. We road to coffee shops and restaurants, what a way to go! Wish we had something like the Monon where I live.

The Monon Trail runs for miles! Lots of miles! Nestled in Indianapolis, the Monon connects Downtown Indy up through the Broad Ripple area into Carmel and Noblesville.

My feet are tired from casually strolling down the path today dodging the occasional biker who is “In it to win it!” Aside from some bikers riding too fast through the dense stream of walkers & runners, the Monon is a delightful pathway to eateries, brew houses, parks, coffee shops, boutique retail joints, among a host of streams, rivers, wooded areas and many quaint neighborhoods.

Enjoy! Pick your times! Weekends can be a little bit crazy!

The Monon Greenway in Carmel, Indiana is a wonderful place to ride your bike or run. It connects to other trails north and south, and gives you a ride that is mostly tree-canopied, and also goes through the vibrant heart of this wonderful city. I have used many times. The only problem is the occasional Spandex-clothed bicyclist who is going too fast and who thinks that stop signs are only apply to lesser mortals. All in all, a wonderful amenity.

My husband and I live near this trail and we see people on it a lot on the weekends. It's perfect for a nice walk. It's not a very long trail. But very cute.

It's a perfect people watch situation. So, many cute families walking up and down the trail.

This is a 20+ mile path that runs from downtown Indianapolis to Carmel. Lots of restaurants and bars within a 1/4 mile of the paved trail. Can get a little crowded on weekends and cross traffic doesn’t have to stop

Awesome trail for bike riding, walking or running. Lots of restaurants right off the trail in certain areas such as Downtown Carmel and Broadripple. Family friendly

Nice trail to walk, run, bike. Everyone is friendly, follows the rules of the trsil, safe and courteous. Easy access; can stop and shop or eat as you go if you like!

Lots of places to jump on the trail and just enjoy the weather. It's really clean and people are respectful. You can jump on and off at different locations and grab a bite to eat. Get out there and enjoy the day. There is a lot of stopping along the way. Thats the only problem if you are riding a bike.

It was a cold and snowy day, but needed to get out of the house. The trail was quiet and peaceful( for a change). We love the monon trail and are regular walkers/riders

We parked on Main Street & walked a small section of the Monon Trail down to the Palladium. There are various activities and art along the trail where we walked.

Sunday morning walk on the monon is always a treat. We ran into literally a dozen people we knew. There are a lot of amenities on the trail and people are friendly. If walking watch out for bikers.

Hiked the Monon trail from various locations. This is urban planning at its' finest! Paved trail that was planned 100 years ago that runs through the heart of Indianapolis and suburbs. If you like to bike, walk, or run, this is where to go!

This is for reasons known only to the powers that were back when it was built out and even folks intimately involved with the trail neglect its "real" name. The Greenway is pretty well maintained, except in snow and ice. I love the pink granite milestones and red half-mile medallions because I do not have gps on my running watch. For bike riders they have workstations for sudden repair needs at the Monon Community Center and up in Midtown.

We had a lovely ride on the Monon Trail and and brunch this past weekend in Broad Ripple only to return to our car parked near the 86th Street Trailhead and find that our car window had been smashed and all of our belongings stolen. Police indicated that this happens from time to time, watch where you park!

Plenty of scenery changing, lots of people walking too. I like this for running and walking, but wouldn't encourage true cycling enthusiasts to use it as it can be crowded on peak times.

Bicycling up and down the Monon Trail between 52nd Street and 96th Street was part of my exercise routine. The path is usually smoothly paved. The few asphalt ripples are mainly near Broad Ripple, where most of the pedestrians are as well. Going north from Broad Ripple, the path crosses two bridges where it is not uncommon to see a heron or egret standing still on the alert for fish. Being the Midwest, most people on the trail are genial, although I have seen some aggressive pedal-pumping bicyclists training garb snarl at pedestrians.

The Monon at Carmel is fantastic!! There are so many extra things to do and restaurants along the trail there.. no matter your age. Plus downtown Carmel is beautiful!

The Monon starts near Mass Ave., in Indianapolis and goes now all the way to the northside of Westville at 191st Street. The Monon is a wonderful way to clock some major milage on Bikes, running and walking. I rode it everyday i was in Indy and went through the Carmel section. It is well maintained and patrolled. The Indy section is nearing the need for resurfacing. The Carmel section is newly resurfaced and the westville section is great as well. I love it for biking.

Looks like a great way to exercise off the lunches which you will enjoy in the tourist district of the restored Carmel.

The Trail is completely paved and extends from about 10th Street near downtown Indy all the way to 151st Street in Westfield. The section just north of 16th Street passes through some sketchy neighborhoods (there have been a few robberies over the years) but there are emergency phones along the trail and park rangers patrol the area. At about 25th Street it becomes more secluded and beautiful as it crosses Fall Creek on a rather tall bridge and then a viaduct over 30th Street. North of 38th street, the trail becomes progressively prettier as it skirts the Indiana State Fairgrounds, until you reach the Broad Ripple area (52nd up almost to 86th) where the trail is tree-lined as it passes through leafy neighborhoods and eventually crosses the White River on a high bridge with an overlook. The Broad Ripple part is the most popular, with numerous small shops and restaurants within walking distance. Bicycling through that section can be problematic in good weather due to the proliferation of baby strollers and dogs on long leashes, so you should take it slow, there. The mile from 86th to 96th traverses some mundane apartment complexes, but from 96th all the way to the end it seems quite rural, even the part that passes through downtown Carmel. When I lived downtown in Indyfor a time, I would ride up the Monon to Broad Ripple and stop for lunch or a beer, then ride the lovely Canal Towpath and White River Greeenway trails back to downtown.

An excellent place to walk, run or bike. This is the best of outdoors. It's a safe place to enjoy nature and get fit. Just ask my wildlife buddies.

This trail lets you walk or bike or jog for miles without intereference from trucks, cars, motorcyles, etc. Walking with older person and pre-schooler felt incredibly safe and easy. The trail is very well maintained.

This Greenway is open 365 days a year and is maintained i.e, swept, snow plowed etc. There are plastic bags for removal of pet waste and a simple set of rules to follow. Adequate parking at many locations.

usually bike from 146th st south to 96th st. decided to bike north thru Westfield. nicely paved. areas of shady riding. need to careful at major intersections as cars may not see you or stop.

We didn't have time to go too far on this trail but we walked a few miles and loved it. It is paved and good for anyone. Pretty houses along the way and trails that branch off the main trail that take you thru interesting nature. Loved the town of Carmel and this feature was being used by lots of people biking, running and walking. Everyone was friendly and happy!

When we first moved to the Indy area 30 years ago this was just an overgrown old railroad track. We enjoyed walking this trail with our dogs and now that it has been developed for the past decade, we enjoy it even more. You go from wooded areas into shopping districts with eateries along the trail. It can get crowded at times on the weekends in the summer so it is best to hit it early. Just a great way to get out and enjoy nature.

We live very close to the trail and use it almost daily. It is a great path to run, walk or bike. You can run downtown Indy to downtown Carmel and beyond. Great way to stay off the busy streets and still get to the places you want on foot or bike. They have recently done some repaving on sections of the trail.

Fun,a lot of people on about. Great for exercising. It's quite long, you can only walk the whole length with a lot of stamina. It's great for exercise (walking,running, cycling). A couple of fun stops (bars,Soho,laser flash) along the trail.

If you park next to the Monon Center just south of 116th Street then go North to 146th Street. This loop is six miles but is filled with stops of restaurants, pubs and shops. It also runs through the very popular Art District.

My friend was visiting, and we went for a walk on the monon trail. We saw parks and rec. upkeeping the trail, picked out a book from the book box, saw some ROTC kids in training, stopped at an ice cream shop part-way in, and enjoyed one of the rest stops on the trail. It was fun!

Live near the trail and enjoy a walk whenever I can. Well maintained and not ok busy up north. Beautiful scenery.

I love living close to the Monon Trail. So wonderful for walking, running, biking....lots of places to stop and have a cup of coffee, lunch, dinner, art attractions. Love Love!

This is a great resource and allows you to take a safe walk or bike ride without worrying about car traffic. Intersections are well marked. The trail itself is well maintained. Some nice shady spots are wonderful when the weather is hot.

"The Monon" is well-maintained throughout the year and connects easily to the town of Westfield to the north and Indianapolis to the South. Great access to restaurants, The Palladium and shops in downtown Carmel. Dog friendly! The paved loop trails around Central Park are scenic and connect to neighborhood sidewalks plus playground, pool and the Monon Center.
Mornings and evenings have heaviest foot traffic which can be tricky for bicycling. Cyclists should announce "on your left" to alert pedestrians or other cyclists when passing. Pedestrians should stand off pavement to the side if they need to stop. Of course, there are those who do not follow these safety rules so always be aware of your surroundings! My four-star rather than five-star rating is due to the frequency of cyclists whose speed and approach are hazardous to others.

I have walked almost the entire trail from downtown to 146th ( not all at once. ) Some of my favorite sections are between 79th and 56th. and 116th and 131st.

Pretty, active and with lots of good places to stop along the way.

The Monon trail is now open north all the way to Sheridan! Not the easiest to navigate at 32 in Westfield (Monon bridge over 32 is under construction), but it is so nice. Less busy the further north you can and it feels a bit rural.

One of the best rail to trail projects anywhere with a beautiful canopy. The portion in Carmel is particularly nice because it dissects the downtown, several parks and the arts and design district.

I ran 6+ miles and came across many families and other active people. It's safe, clean and very pleasant. I would imagine this is a great asset to the community.

We walk here several times a week from Spring thru Fall. It is a greenbelt right in the middle of the city. Beautiful!

What a nice paved walkway making for a mostly peaceful and beautiful place to visit.
There are occasional restaurants and breweries which are really good.
Cyclists need to learn and use the courtesy rules as they generally blow by walkers and runners without notice or any warning.
I suggest utilizing the trail during the weekdays for a pleasant exoerience.

Great trail for walking or biking. Or, if you just want to people watch you'll find plenty of people on the trail especially in downtown Carmel. Trail gets a little busy on the weekends, but once you get out of downtown Carmel the congestion if fine.

Very fun. It is a 22 mile walk trail. Over in the carmel area there is a water park. After 4 everyone is $4. The waterpark was a nice way to cool down after taking the trail

We rented an Air BNB and the trail was right outside our door. We did a 5 mile walk and it was truly incredible. Bikers, joggers, walkers, people with their children, and everyone having a great time walking the trail. We stopped in Carmel and went to mud bugs café which was absolutely extraordinary. Fun Trail, fun area in Carmel Indiana is a little hidden gem!

...and others see usually very considerate and pick up after their pooches. We love the vitality and energy on the trail... Young and old are exercising, getting fit and enjoying our wonderful Indiana!

We live within walking distance of the Monon Trail and use it frequently. The Monon Trail is named for a railroad that serviced Indianapolis and Chicago with stops in between. The line has now been converted into a beautiful pedestrian pathway that connects Indianapolis to Westfield Indiana. The path includes tours through Martindale's Hillside Neighborhood, King Park, Mapleton-Fall Creek, Meridian-Kessler, Broad Ripple, and Nora neighborhoods, through Carmel and the Arts & Design District and finally into Westfield, Indiana. The entire tail is now 18 miles long.
The path is safe, however, walking, cycling or running with a partner is always a good idea. The only down side is the few cyclist who believe the Monon is suitable for Tour de France training: it is NOT!

The Monon Trail is easy to access from any location and passes great tourist attractions for visitors.

Great place to run , bike or walk! Start in Carmel- lots of great restaurants and shops.

Try Woodys library on the Porch!

Monon is a rails-to-trails pathway. By next summer will extend from 146th to 216th(southern and northern borders of Westfield. Carmel portion goes 146th south into Marion county. Westfield portion relatively new and not as crowded as Carmel's portion. Connects to Midland which runs east-west. Perfect for biking, walking or roller blading.

Great bike riding, walker or running trail with shade and places to eat and drink along the way. Plenty of places to start on the trail as well.

I have biked the Monon from the Cultural trail near Mass Ave. to where it peters out in Carmel, and it is a gem of Indy. The Broad Ripple and Carmel sections are particularly atmospheric. I think in Carmel alone, you'll pass through parks, wetlands, waterparks, dining streets, and there are even periodic bathrooms. Except for a few of the cross streets (e.g., 16th), most drivers know to look for bikers, which is a big difference from bike trails in other US cities (where you are basically suicidal if you want to use them).

Although I can't recommend it (for safety reasons), there are about 10-15 breweries that could be hit within a few short blocks of the trail. Hell, some of them are ON the trail, and the trail virtually dead ends at one of the state's best (Grand Junction's tap room). You've been warned (wink wink).

I love the Monon. It's a great trail for running, especially long distances. Lots of shade in the summer from the trees, plenty of places to stop and refill a water bottle, and lots of other people to keep you motivated. I'm not a fan of the path as a bike route, other than as a commuting route to downtown. Early in the morning is OK, but after about 7 AM, it gets way too crowded and I prefer the open road for cycling. My only other wish would be to have more feeder paths throughout Carmel that would connect other parts of town with the Monon.

I use the trail to ride my bike on and the section is Carmel is fantastic. Lots of stores and restaurants to stop at and it's never too crowded to take a bike down.

The Monon trail is a must see for anyone. Whether you're biking, walking, or another form of transportation its always fun. I go there when I just want a break from home. I just pop in some earbuds and listen to my playlist it's very relaxing. There are also a lot of nice shops along the Monon in case you're looking for something to do.

Perfect place for a walk, bike ride, run or even skating. Myself and the kids love it and walk 5 miles of the Monon nearly every day! It can get very busy at lunch time but there is plenty of room for everyone!!

I love that I live so close to the Monon trail. I can ride my bike for miles and feel great and safe going through the city and ending up in a different place. It's easy access for those that want to travel and get exercise at the same time. Love it!

The Monon is a rail trail where people enjoy walking, biking and skating. It's often tree covered so it brings a welcome relief from the heat of the summer. There are lots of places along the way to enjoy a meal, ice cream or a beverage.

This trail is super long and connects other trails. I appreciate that there are trash stations for dog poop bags every once in a while, since I like to walk my dog on the trail.

This is a great place to take your family for a bike ride or a walk. Watch for speeding road bikers that should be out on the road.
Not the safest place once it gets dark!!

Trail now extends north to Westfield. Rode 16 miles to state fair grounds and back. Very busy on a Saturday, so be prepared to slow down at times.

When I lived in Indianapolis the Monon Trail was a great place to walk, bike, in-line skate and run. Today it is twice as great since it has been extended well into Carmel. For the exercise buff or for a casual stroll surrounded by nature, this is the place to be.

Monon Trail is nothing but a long way of around 5 miles or may be some more, it is a small path where you can walk, cycling. covered with trees.

We love, love, love the MONON.

This trail is a great place to walk, ride, blade...you name it. Beautiful Saturdays are usually find the trail busy. Early mornings you can "get in the way" of the packs of Lance Armstrong "wanta bes (ding ding, WOOSH)". The trail is well maintained year round and runs past some great restaurants, coffee shops, bars, parks, etc. and runs North/South from Westfield to Indianapolis. There are clean public bathrooms, drinking fountains (people and pet), and dog bag/trash facilities (please use them; you give the rest of us dog walkers a bad rep otherwise). Generally, the path is safe. It is not lighted and is closed when dark except for special occasions (State fair, 4th of July, etc.). The MONON is a great for exercise, social, commuting, and general relaxation.

Something for everyone here. Being the only major crosstown pedestrian thoroughfare that traverses several communities presents some challenges and benefits.

Great people watching and well maintained paved trail attracts bikers, hikers, kids, skaters, strollers and runners... And it is wheelchair accessible in parts. It can be crowded and competing interests present challenges. As you might expect Weekends and after work can be crowded.

Mostly Lined with trees, there are several Retail passages that make for a nice suburban experience. I tend to seek a more off road experience but you can find peace and quiet including birds and fresh air and good exercise on this trail and it can lead you to other park trails that are a bit more remote. Enjoy!

A real assets to Carmel/ Indianapolis area. Like to see people being active. Lots of restaurants open close to the trail. One negative issue is when it gets busy and lots of people riding bikes too fast.

The Monon is a cool idea executed almost too well. At times it is so busy that it is a challenge to move. If you are a walker or runner, it is pretty good and safe. You will have streets to cross and drivers still can't figure out if they need to stop or not (they are not supposed to stop). If you are a cyclist that goes more than 10 mph, I don't recommend it.

We thoroughly enjoyed our walk on this trail. It is jointly shared by cyclists, runners, and walkers (and their pets). We got on the trail downtown Carmel and walked for about 8 km. Built on an old railway line, this trail is a wonderful feature to Indianapolis and its surroundings.

I walk on the Monon trail at least once a week. It is a beautiful, safe and scenic trail that is easy to access and a wonderful asset to Hamilton County.

First time on the Monon Trail. We parked at the 96th St lot. First off the bathrooms there were really clean which was kind of surprising for a park like setting. There was also an area that had everything you would need should you have to make repairs on your bike. I thought that was very neat. The trail is paved and was great for riding bikes. We will definitely be going back very soon!!

Spent a fun day bike riding here, we had gone over 30 miles (roundtrip) without realizing it. Really fun (free) activity.

Experiencing the Monon Rail Trail in Indianapolis, Carmel and Westfield. Great views, level - paved and with a center-line allows for comfortable running and walking without too much interference from bikers. It's good to see police patrols from time to time too.
Watch for vehicles waving you past on major intersections where You have a stop sign.
You do not have the right of way. If a person in a vehicle waves you on, do not accept. It's dangerous as other vehicles are not going to stop.

This trail is well worth walking. Took different routes everyday, from the town to main shopping centers over bridges, through the woods along streams of water. Encountered many other on the trail walking their dogs, jogging or just taking a family stroll. Well marked out and kept in excellent condition.

Safe walking path with beautiful scenery. The city of Carmel spared no expense in the construction of this trail and it shows.

It is nice to have this in your neighborhood or within walking distance, but this is definitely not a " destination". It is just asphalt laid down where train tracks use to run and gives locals the ability to run, bike, or skate on an asphalt trail. Some areas may have dining or bathroom options but those are few and far between given the total length of the trail.

We have enjoyed this ever-extending trail for the last ten years. Bike & runner/walker friendly. Can't wait for the upcoming extensions north and east so we can explore more of Westfield on foot or by bike. I am hoping for even more businesses to move closer to the trail - restaurants in particular. This will continue to drive growth and improve the quality of life here in Hamilton County.

I feel safe on this trail. Water offered for people and pets near the Good Dog hotel! Great place and a huge draw for the community.

The Monon Trail is an EXCELLENT place to walk besides being very safe. I would always use the buddy system anyway because this trail is long and there can be safety issues in some areas of it, very rare, but it has happened. There is so much to see and do along it, restaurants, stores, and very friendly folks. I usually start in the Broad Ripple area and walk north. Family walks are encouraged, signage along the way to let you know where you are. Bikers are usually very courteous to walkers/runners vice versa. A great place to get your exercise routine in. I highly recommend to avoid crowds early mornings and during the week instead of weekends is best.

I really enjoyed these trails. They are well maintained and have nice greenery. They are nice and wide so many people runners/walkers/bikers can enjoy without feeling crowded. I just wish trip advisor maps would direct out of town people to where they can park. I eventually found you can park off Rhoder road in Carmel.

After spending a lot of time in Carmel on business in recent months - I finally had a chance to check out the Monon Trail a couple of weeks ago - blessed by a combination of great weather and an hour free on my schedule..

I hiked the section between Carmel Rd. and Smokey Row Rd. and back - all the photos attached to this review were taken in that section... as you will see - LOTS of varied and interesting things along the trail - including several inviting restaurants and pubs where you can "pull over" for refreshments and a rest - Including Bazbeaux Pizza, Bub's Ice Cream and Burgers, Union Brewing Co. and Jamaica Reggae Grill...

I am looking forward to hiking the more southern section of the trail in Carmel soon..

This is a wide, level paved walking path - arrow straight - running north and south along the path of an abandoned railway line. A great place to walk - I would imagine anyone of any age would be very safe along the Monon during daylight hours - esp. as Carmel is such a safe and friendly town...

The one caveat - LOOK OUT for the cyclists! Almost all of them encountered on my hike were careful to call out when they came up behind - and were going at a reasonable speed and well in control... if you have small children along however - keep them close in tow as veering out into the path of a bike could be a disaster..

Check out the photos!

Highly recommended attraction - esp. for burning calories after enjoying Carmel's Culinary gems..

Always well kept, fun to walk, run or bike!
Great every season but fall and spring the trees along the trail are amazing. I really love to take my dog for a walk there, and I appreciate they have waists bag you can use. (Unfortunately not every one does.)

Nice trail for walking and jogging. Could have been better if there were STOP signs for the crossing traffic. Right now Monon users have to yield to the cars, but Carmel motorists usually stop anyway, while in Westfield cars never stop, this lack of consistency makes it not very safe.

Walking the trail on Sat mornings can be a bit of a challenge because that's the time everyone seems to be using it. Which is fine…except for the bike riders who speed up behind you to pass without saying anything. Potential for disaster when they don't say "on your left", ring a bell or something. Other times of day it's a wonderful experience for everyone.

It was a great way to pass the time while we waited for a meal reservation and I would have loved to have walked further if we didn't need to get back to eat. Neat trail and used by many people.

The Monon Trail is an incredible bike/walk trail in Indiana. The trail has grown dramatically over the years and is now long enough to make it a solid ride. Be sure to bring water for the Monon as you could be on the trail for awhile.

Although a bit crowded on weekends, this one of the nicer trails I have ridden in more urban areas. The trail can take you from Westfield, IN (North terminus) to downtown Indianapolis. Along the way you travel through towns, wooded areas, neighborhoods, and city scapes. Although I prefer less crowded, rural trails, my wife likes the Monon so we go together.

I've taken the trail as far as it's paved north in Westfield to as far south as Broadripple (though the trail goes further south). It's convenient because of its length & central location and so many designated access points along the way. Overall, it's a great resource for walkers, runners, bikers, rollerbladers, skateboarders, ... The path is wide enough to handle the traffic on Saturdays with perfect weather. Weekdays are especially nice because it's quiet.

Pros:
+ shaded in many parts, so keeps you cooler on bright sunny days
+ there are bathrooms & water fountains a few spots along the way (96th St and 111th come to mind)
+ there are bridges over or tunnels under some of the major intersections of the Monon and busy northside roads (116th, 146th)
+ it seems to be well maintained with branches and snow cleared in reasonable timeframes
+ feels safe; enough foot traffic that you don't feel isolated or vulnerable(I use it often as a women exercising alone, but wouldn't at night)
+ some attractions along the way; our family takes bike rides to eat at restaurants in Carmel or Nora that are right off the Monon; Huddles yogurt is right at the Monon & 86th and there's a Shave Ice shack & Bricks Ice Cream off the Monon in Broadripple

Cons
- thefts aren't uncommon at cars parked at the access points (96th St, Monon Center), so if you must use them, make sure your purse or other valuables aren't visible
- a bridge or tunnel would be helpful on 86th St - it's a busy road so you always have to wait a bit to cross, plus it's an awkward crossing

I've ridden my share of trails. The trails in Indianapolis are excellent. It's easy to tell that they take pride in them. Not only do the trails have names, but they have themes. And many of them interconnect.

Monon is the standout, probably because it's red theme. When driving in the city, you begin to be aware of the trail and take caution as you cross it. There's lots of people on it.

The trail is mostly flat. I rode it for about 13 miles (one way) and noticed NO elevation changes. It's mostly straight also. It has a few slight turns, but nothing dramatic. There were a number of bridges to cross, some over rivers. That adds to the scenery. The rest of the scenery depends on what part of the trail you're on. There's lots of places that are completely green with trees on both sides. There's some industrial areas. There's some suburban and some higher density areas. It's nice to have things to look at while you're riding.

Monon connects to communities as much as connects the communities to each other. Carmel has a nice community around the trail and so does Broad Ripple. It's nice to see the communities embracing the trail.

And it actually goes somewhere. When I reached the Southern terminus of the trail, I transitioned to another trail that connects many more communities in the downtown area.

Ok, it's not all great. If you like to ride fast, then you're going to be disappointed. There are a lot of people and a lot of traffic crossings that will slow you down. Just when you pick up your pace, you'll have to slow down again.

It's not open at night. I didn't realize this until about 11pm July 4th (after the downtown fireworks). The trail is not lit and is unpleasantly dark in some locations. There were times when I could just barely make out the trail, but couldn't see where my tires were. I don't normally ride with a light, but I highly suggest one for this trail.

I also would have liked to see a few more bathrooms and drinking fountains. There may have been plenty off the trail, but a new user like me wouldn't know about them.

Overall this is an excellent trail. It's definitely an attraction for the whole city. I can't wait to get back to Indianapolis and ride the Monon again.

This trail goes all the way into downtown Indianapolis and is nicely paved. It does not have lights, so it is best for daylight hours.

The Monon Trail is a great place to ride your bike. During the warm months I love to ride my bike the with my husband or friends. It is great, there are hill and flat area and beautiful views!

I love the atmosphere you get on a greenway and there is none better than the Monon! The location of the trail provides mostly wooded routes and plenty of stops along the way for food and drink, or just to rest your legs. It is long enough that walking the entire trail had to be broken down to multiple trips but if you like a long bike ride, them this is great for the not-so-avid rider. It connects downtown Indy to Broad Ripple, Carmel, and Westfield. With other trails that intersect, there is numerous days of fun and adventure on the Monon!!

we biked mid-week and it was very clear and pleasant. Very nice greenway and lots of courteous folks on the path.

What a pretty trail thru a lovely little town! Very nice...wish we could have walked further on it with the time we had.

A great trail for biking, running, and walking. Area around main street can have too many clueless people unaware of others. Using the section south of 126th St. all the way to the Indpls. Arts Center near 66th St. gives more open space and ability to keep your pace for exercising. Lots a places to stop on the way if you aren't just working out. Weekdays are less crowded and more enjoyable than weekends.

The Monon Trail, especially through Carmel is a fabulous place if you are looking to get some reasonable exercise. It's not for folks looking to shop, or talk or to be seen. It's for a good walk, run, or bike ride in great venues without significant auto interference. If you get too far south into Indy (south of 56th street) it can get dicey and occasionally runners are accosted by local criminals but this is rare and shouldn't deter you. Stay focused and you will have a great time.

Back when we lived in Indiana, my wife and I began pedaling this trail on Saturdays, and they were some of the best Saturdays. You can take it as fast or slow as you like, and Indianapolis and the Broad Ripple neighborhood in particular line both sides of the trail with any number of watering holes and cool restaurants. When you get down to Mass Ave, you're going to want to lasso your bike to a post and mosey around. Everybody there seems to be in a good mood, and why not, because you can drink beer in the street from plastic cups.

I regularly ride the Monon Trail on my bike. It serves me well in a couple of key ways. It provides an easy route north from my home in Carmel to out of the suburbs into the countryside. And in the winter when trail traffic is light I use it as part of a big loop that keeps me off the streets.

The Monon is a great paved trail perfect for running, walking, biking, blading and people watching! A lot of it is shaded and quite beautiful. Easy to get on and off with plenty of parking. It will take you all the way downtown or up north into Westfield. Lots of restaurants along the way. Oh the places you will go!!

Started in the Carmel area, found the trail nice and easy going. Made for a nice day. Rode the trail down to broadripple where we had a meal and then rode back at a nice leisural pace.

My husband and I did some geocaching on the trail while visiting friends. Wish I had more time to go through all of it. The little side trails were great! It's also good for families. Children of all ages will like the trails. Highly recommended.

Rode our bikes from the Broad Ripple all the way downtown Indy. The trail is safe and clean can't wait to go back.

Extremely busy, many bikes, some fast. Some roller skates. But also, some casual walkers and baby carriages. Everybody seems used to it, people just keep moving. Almost like the town has been built around the trail.

Safe. Easy to walk, run, bike. Places to stop for a drink or a snack. Easy access. Nothing to dislike, and everything to like.

What an amazing find in the middle of the city! You can walk for hours along the Monon Trail! Lots of people out walking their dogs, little kids on bikes, all enjoying the springtime weather and out walking on the paved trail. If you head towards Main Street, you can stop off for lunch and then resume walking again. Lots of the trail is within pretty wooded areas, saw lots of red cardinals along the way. Great place to get outside and walk, without worrying about cars. Several places to stop along the way and grab a coffee or some water to make a leisurely walk even better. Great resource for the city!

The Monon Trail stretches from northern Indianapolis, Broad Ripple, Carmel and Westfield, along the right-of-way of the now reclaimed land occupied by steel rails of train tracks, now removed. The asphalt surface provides the perfect surface for running, biking, jogging or strolling with a baby carriage. Bridges traverse the trail over the flowing White River, along wooded landscape, through Carmel's interior and north to the city of Westfield. You witness people in all sorts of physical condition. From the walkers that just like to take the slow pace, to runners training for The Mini Marathon in early May. Even families on their bicycles enjoy spending nice, sunny days on the Monon Trail. If you have worked up some hunger, you can stop in downtown Carmel for food or icecream or pizza, right near the trail. When crossing busy thoroughfares, be cautious and look both ways before proceeding, since vehicles may cross your path. On major streets, overpasses and underpasses provide safer passage, without the concern of meeting up with fast-moving cars and trucks. If getting outdoors and staying fit and fast is your thing, then the Monon Trail should be ready for you to explore.

Beautiful urban walking/hiking trail. A great variety of things to do and see along the way. Lots of art, sculptures, paintings, shops, restaurants, and nature along the way. It’s also dog friendly, as I saw a lot of pets along the way.

They are still working on several areas around the trails, so they will improve, but I love walking North from Sun King to US 31. That is 2 miles round trip and is mostly in shade or with great scenery.

It comes as advertised...long (26 miles), flat, paved, pleasant views, and it passed through places to stop to eat and drink. Loved our Broad Ripple stop for lunch. Walk or bike. Dogs seemed to be ok.
It’s not a hike, it’s just a nice walk.
VictorB

The Monon Trail - good idea with some not so good results in places. This trail is great for walkers, bike riders, people on skates, and just about everyone else. The only problem I have with this trail is the issue of when it comes in contact with a busy street and people on the trail have to CROSS the street. It IS getting better but I've seen people dart across the street thinking they have the right away (when they don't) and either get hit or darn near get hit! All ages are on this trail and I really love being on there but I think we need to build a trail bridge over these streets so that there isn't an issue with crossing the streets. Other than this, I love this trail! : ). It reminds me of roller skating on trails in California down by the beach - loved that!

The Monon Trail, extending from near downtown Indianapolis to Westfield, IN, is a great place to hike, bike, or take your pet for a stroll. It passes through many interesting neighborhoods and includes many shady sections. It is mostly flat and is well-paved. Several places along the way offer nearby restaurants and/or rest stops. It can be busy at peak times, and it is always important to be cautious where the trail crosses city streets.

It is amazing that most communities that have old railroad lines don't think to do this. It is great. People of all sorts use this place and on sunny weekends you'll see whole families out there biking or walking or even running. It goes by stores, coffee shops and so much more. Plan on a great walk with starts and stops along the way.

Wat a great idea to have to connect a city and to help keep it fit!

The Monon trail is a great place to experience nature without leaving the city. Also a great place to walk in the shade if you walk certain sections, which is great when the weather is too hot.

Building out the Monon trail north into Westfield has made a great trail even better.

City of Carmel gets a lot of tings right and the Monon Trail is one of them. Nice place to walk, run, casually bike....

Awesome for a local park!
What kid could want more? Water slide, wave rider, etc. Clean, life jackets provided and snack bar.
Great time!

This is the place everyone goes in the area to exercise. Very long trail that goes from Westfield to downtown Indy.

Most of the trail is very safe, but there are some areas that have had crime targeting people on the trail.

Also, when it is busy the bikers go too fast and are a hazard.

A wonderful rail-to-trail. One sign designated that it is in the R-t-T "hall of Fame" and we understood why. I can't say enough good things about this … we spent about 2 hours either on it or near it in Carmel arts area. Would go there man, many, many times if we lived in the area.

Long, mostly wooded, and paved for jogging, strolling, or biking. Not crowded interspersed with businesses catering to trail visitors.

Love, love, love this trail. Feel safe and happy when I am here. Bring a pet? You bet!

Hikers, be aware at Carmel, Nora and Broad Ripple, there are lots of yummy places for treats!!!!

We were visiting the area and discovered the Monon Trail. It is a lovely and lengthy trail to walk, run, or bike. It was not crowded on a weekday and the part we were on felt safe. With trails like this that connect different areas of town, it is a motivator to walk or bike to things rather than just hopping in the car. Great find!

Been on about every trail in Illinois and wanted to try the Monon and Indiana Cultural Trail. This trail does not disappoint. Many places to stop for both pictures and food galore. Great beauty in the fall and easy to follow markers. A must if looking for walking, running, biking in central Indiana!

If you love to walk, run, hike or bike, this is the trail for you. Now extending for miles & miles, this beautifully paved wide trail is perfect for it all. Nice long shady areas with a path that goes by several great restaurants, especially as it crossed Main Street in Carmel, this is the perfect option for families wanting to exercise together or those who are in training for an event. So many have taken the opportunity to get in some exercise now that this trail goes from as far north as Westfield to downtown Indy, I believe. Try it - you'll LOVE it!

I have used this trail for fun runs with friends recently, and it's both well maintained and family friendly, seeing use even in the cold Indiana winters!

If you are staying near or come across a sign for the Monon Trail, check it out! Bikes, skates, walkers and joggers are all welcome and follow typical customary rules of the road (with yielding and announcing "on your left" if you are passing someone).

Depending on what kind of walk you want, it's important to choose your 'port of entry' well. Some favorites- Broadripple off the main drag- going north is most pretty. Northern most end in Westfield carmel for tranquility and nature. Southern most end by 10th street for the city.
Just don't use it at night and be careful of less populated areas more south. It's always good to be cautious. But just enjoy. It's a true gem.

Rode this trail on a Friday with two fellow biking buddies and I really enjoyed the ride. The first two miles are a little blighted but the rest of the trail is really pleasant. I plan to return soon and ride with my wife. Not crowded on this particular Friday, and only encountered friendly and considerate co-exercisers,

The Monin is a beautiful rail trail but bike riders go way too fast and rarely let you know when they're coming from behind. Carmel has a speed limit on the trail but there's inadequate policing to slow bikers down. Would recommend this trail for anyone looking for a good walk. If you're riding, please notify walkers that you're 'in their left'.

Great place to walk or bike. Beautiful. Love the new bridge over 146th street. Goes by downtown Carmel, where you can stop for lunch.

Great trail for walking or biking. Best during the week and really crazy/busy on the weekends, but passes through some interesting areas.

Great destinations along the trail, good connectivity and tree shaded. Use thiavtrail a lot since there are no cars and few road crossings.

I've jogged and biked the Monon, and if you started at the north end of the Monon near 146th street and went all the way to the south end of the Monon at Mass Ave., it's basically half a marathon (about 13 miles). There have been reports of muggings but I have never really seen any dangers. The section near downtown Carmel is excellent as you can take a break and eat/drink.

In good weather, I love to have lunch along the way and finish with walk along the trail. An old railroad right-of-way. Enjoyed by walkers, bikers, skaters and people of all ages. Great plus for Carmel suburb of Indy.

The Monon Trail is wonderful for running, biking or walking ( bring your dog). Beautiful in the fall or any time of year it's always busy. It's very scenic and runs from south of Broad Ripple Village to well north of Carmel with numerous areas to stop and relax or eat.

We started in the Broad Ripple neighborhod on 64th street. Plenty of free parking here..rode the 8 miles to downtown Indianapolis and then picked up the Culture Trail around downtown. It is well marked and easy to navigate. Heading back we ate The Garden Table, great food. After lunch we headed north to Carmel, much of both legs are canopied with a chance to see several neighborhoods. The only downside is negotiating the intersections, but traffic seems to know bikes are around and they stopped as we approached. Give this trail a try, let know if this review helps!

Trail is wonderful - for walkers, bikers, families, and anyone! The trail extends through three cities, and includes places to stop for food, shops, etc along the way in Westield, Carmel and Indianapolis. Lovely trees, birds, some quiet places, some bustling places.

We had a great time here. A lively place to walk. Several places to grab a bite along trail. We had a very relaxing experience. You don't have to be a power Walker. Plenty of slow walkers as well as runners share trail amicably.

If you love company the weekends are made for you! Stop by the Carmel Farmers Market Saturdays May through September from 8-11:30am and refuel...lots of great products!!! If you are a loner or like to really move make sure you enjoy the trail early mornings...

One of the best trails I've ran on. Very tree covered and lively with lots of activity and many restaurants along the trail. Highly recommend.

After dinner my family and walked along the Monon trail. It was very nice and there very unique shops along the way. It was a very enjoyable walk.

Love biking and running on the monon. It is a great place for the whole family and your furry friends!

Among the best walking trails in the United States. A trip unto itself. It will lead you to many diverse and vibrant neighbors.

is a very nice place to visit, in carmel especially, the trees around protect you for sun and also is nice place for walking

Love running on the Monon. Great access with parking lots (we use Rohrer Rd. just south of 146th St.) and and to other areas like downtown Carmel.

Rode from Benjamin Harrison State Park on Fall Creek to connect to Monon Trail Northbound. Trail is detoured around construction on the Monon Trail near the Marion County Fairgrounds. Monon is diverted around the concrete forms being staged for what appeared ramps for bridges over a congested street. The trail becomes hazardous when detoured through a rundown neighborhood with very bad pavement that has deteriorated. A yellow Chevy Corvette Stingray tried to run me off the road head on, I heard some verbal abuse, and a subsequent vehicle followed me while I road back onto a fenced portion where cars can't fit. Recommendations: Avoid Monon trail near the Marion County Fairgrounds. Not safe.

Great Indiana byway. Lots to see along the trail in Carmel including Civic Center, Japaneses Garden, Main Street A& E District, Performing Arts Center, Monon Center, and beautiful Central Park,

We were staying in Broad Ripple and stumbled across this great pathway and ended up walking for hours. Close to the township you walk by several cafes, pubs and an icecream parlor. If we had longer we would have rented bikes and done more of the trail.

What a great addition to Carmel's city! Similar to the Katy Trail in Dallas (I'm from the Metroplex!), it is a multi-use trail that can accommodate walkers/joggers and bikes. It connects multiple areas and can be an enjoyable way to get around and to exercise.

I'm so thankful that I live close to the Monon Trail so I can take advantage of it nearly every week.

For the out-of-towners that comes in town to visit there's plenty of parking spots along the trail. The trail is completely paved in asphalt. There is drinking water and clean public restrooms along the trail. The only thing to be cautious about is the time of day that you visit...the trail could be highly congested around downtown Carmel.

Such fun to walk, jog, bike or people-watch. Always relaxing to eat at any of the adjacent restaurants. Just love it!

Beautiful, well maintained trail ideal for running! Especially lovely in the fall, but worth checking out when snow covered as well.

My husband and I love to bike on the Monon. Lots of places to enter and exit the trail. Lots of shops and restaurants to stop at. In the summer our favorite stop is the Carmel farmers market.

Lovely north of Broadripple and very upscale once in Carmel. Not very safe south of Broadripple. A lot of dining establishments in Carmel along and near the Monon. Broadripple has restaurants too, be keep your eyes pealed because it is not the safest area to walk. Don't walk south of Broadripple.

A lot of it is shaded, so even in the summer it is not too hot to use it.

Sections of it can be crowded, especially when people are walking / running in parallel, blocking the whole side, making it hard to pass.

I have had the privilege to run on this trail three times in the last year. I have ran from Broad Ripple to 124th street. The path is wide and flat. The south part of the trail is mostly shaded. The trail can be busy late in the morning and near Carmel. I try to run here whenever I am in town.

At a width of only 8 feet, the Monon Trail presents the classic "attractive nuisance" long documented in insurance law. It allows for access north and south through Indy and it attracts hundreds of people in good weather. Unfortunately, that includes people who are walking their dogs on a leash, people who are not walking their dogs on a leash, parents with kids on Big Wheels, strollers, walkers, rollerbladers and an assortment of Tour de Farce types who think the speed limit on the trail is for someone else. In short, some stretches of the Trail are unusable due to the danger presented by mixed groups of fast/slow/stopped people. And it changes quickly. You might say I'm exaggerating a bit, but I lost an neighbor on this trail while he was biking. I'm sorry, 8 foot wide is just not wide enough for Broad Ripple and parts of Carmel (whenever they get around to finishing it). There are other ways to get north-south and I recommend avoiding this trail during good weather and the Busy Season.

great trail f or walkers, runner, and casual biking. We have traveled this trail from Indianapolis to Westfield, IN by bike, walk, and run. There are a number of nice stopping points along the way to stop and eat, drink or engage in city events along the way.
Greatest enjoyment for our family is walk/run. Fast biking is not ideal. We prefer to enjoy the Monon during clearly daylight hours.

It is also pet friendly.

The Monon Trail is great walk and safe.
I enjoyed the city government buildings and the performing arts buildings. A parking garage is under construciton.

This trail goes on forever. If you are looking to bike or walk for miles this trail is perfect! I felt very safe and saw all sorts of people. There are many stops aling the way fir shopping and dining. Great experience!

Great trail for walking and biking. Shaded, nice, flat and easy trail. Nice way to get some exercise. Well used by all ages. Pet on leases allowed. Easily accessed.

This rails to trails is a highlight of the city. Walkers, runners, cyclists, roller bladers all share this trail that travels right through Carmel. It is a scenic trail. There are off shoots of this trail that invite the traveler to visit wetlands, parks, and restaurants. It is well maintained and constantly being upgraded

Warm weather....the Monon Trail is a perfect destination and experience. In this December, with limited snowfall, the crisp air and pretty good surface for walking and running makes this a year round experience to get one's heart pumping and inner furnace lit and burning. Friendly folks still smile and say hi from within their layers of clothing, and the overall crowd pace of movement doesn't seem to be as dramatic in contrast/when compared to scenes involving bikers and others on foot as in warmer weather. What an asset for fitness achieved at least partially outdoors!

Went for a run on here today. Great for people watching. You can go north upto Westfield or head south down into Indianapolis. Bike ride or run. Stop off for a bit to eat or grab a beer.

We rode this trail north for about 30 minutes from main downtown spot access in Carmel. The trail is wide enough for all sort of traveler. We used mountain bikes but I also saw road bikers. There are stretches of shade and then blasting sun. The intersections of roads can be very busy so you should be very careful and stop as opposed to wait on the cars to do so. There's enough to see between the neighborhoods, parks, woods and people. The trail is smooth and marked but there's a pretty sharp bend you can easily miss on the northern stretch which isn't a major problem because you can track back. Bring a small backpack, bike lock, sun screen, water, snack and some money to stop and eat or drink as you like. If we had more time, we would've gone further. This is a great way to get off your third point of contact and drag anyone else with you to enjoy some fresh air while getting your blood moving. We parked our vehicle along a residential street where others had done the same. There are a few public restrooms along the way.

The monon trail goes from Indianapolis to Westfield. Many shaded areas, many water stops, places to stop and get food. Dogs are welcome on leashes