Hopewell Mound Group Interpretive Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Pretty level loop with one small ascent and then descent.

A nice trail to walk, hike, or run. The Hopewell Mound Group is part of the Hopewell Culture National Historic Park group of ancient earthworks. Parking is allowed in the well-lit parking lot. Available at the start of the trail is an information board about the site as well as a container with informational brochures. Restrooms are available as is a picnic area.

The start of the trail is paved for about 100 yards. The trail itself is a marked loop and can be taken clockwise or counterclockwise. If you decide to go clockwise around the loop, you'll first enter the grassland portion. Follow the signs and the mowed trail (more difficult to discern in winter but still not bad). This will take you through the remnants of various mounds with the occasional information board to be found along the way. This portion of the trail is completely flat and lasts for one mile.

At this point, you'll enter the woods on a singletrack trail with small grades. A wooden walkway crosses over small ravines and wet areas and stairs are present to go up and down the steepest grade of the run. Be sure to look out for the remnants of the ancient earthen wall to your right and a small pond on you left.

After leaving the woods, you'll enter an open area on a crushed limestone trail. There may be some wet areas with puddles after a recent rain so watch your step.

Of note, this trail is also the course for the < ahref="http://www.muddyleprechaun.com/">Annual Muddy Leprechaun two or four-mile trail run/walk held around St Patrick's Day each year.

You'll have the opportunity to stop for a vista overlooking the mound area and then continue on the path as it gently descends to the level of the grassland. This will close the loop and bring you back to the parking lot.

Grassland and forest loop mix with wildflowers and native grasses making home for many birds and small woodland creature.