Peninsula Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · Fishing · Lake · Spring · Swimming · Views · Wildlife

This would be a good trail run except for when muddy.

The Peninsula trail is well signed and easy to follow, particularly for a wilderness area trail. The trail initially follows a very rutted and often muddy horse trail that can be uneven even in the wintertime when the previous season's muddy furrows have frozen over. Fortunately, several of the most heavily disturbed sections of trail have been bypassed singletrack that is designated with "hiking" signs.

Because the trails follows along a gentle ridge, it isn't very strenuous, especially compared to the nearby Pate Hollows trails. Eventually, the trail turns into all singletrack with an awesome hillside overlook of the lake before it descends more steeply toward the edge of the peninsula.

Along the final leg, the trail is shored up by timbers to help combat the swampiness. The last descent brings runners to the rocky shoreline of Lake Monroe where some nearby lakeside houses are visible. This is a great spot to enjoy lunch or a swim before heading back to the trailhead.

This area was heavily logged and farmed in spots in the 1930's so the land is still recovering. Pine forests were planted to slow the erosion and make nice spots for camping and running. Elsewhere, you'll find the typical southern Indiana hardwood. There are also some invasives like multi-floral roses along the trail.