Central Illinois Recreational Trails

Map of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail and Maple Heart Trail

Pumpkinvine Nature Trail,  Wilden Avenue Trail and MapleHeart Trail

The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, Wilden Avenue Trail and MapleHeart Trail form a 25-mile long system of paved and unpaved pathways in North Central Indiana. These trails connect the cities of Elkheart, Dunlap, Goshen, Middlebury and Shipshewana. The trail system includes some designated roadways to connect a gap in the trail. The Wilden Avenue Trail is a part of the Maple City Greenway system of trails within Goshen.

Pumpkinvine Nature Trail

The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is part of a 17-mile long paved pathway, with a 1.75-mile section of roadways to connect a gap in the trail. The trail goes cross country through the Indiana countryside, going past farmland, waterways and sections of forest land.

The south end of the Pumkinvine Nature Trail makes a loop through Goshen. The trail starts at N. Main Street, just south of Middlebury Street. The Pumkinvine Nature Trail takes off to the south and the Wilden Avenue Trail takes off to the north from this location to join the MapleHeart Trail. There is also an access path off of N. 5th Street and E. Pike Street.

To the south of Lincoln Avenue, the Pumkinvine Nature Trail intersects the trail in Abshire Park that heads down to E. Monroe Street. The Pumkinevine Nature Trail swings back to the north at Absihre Park going past the trailhead with parking on E. Lincoln Avenue. From this point the trail heads to the northeast across wide open farmland.

To the northeast of Goshen, the Pumkinvine Nature Trail heads cross country through the Northern Indiana countryside and away from the roadways. It travels through forested sections and past farmland. The trail is lined with trees for much of the route. The eastern section of the trail stops at County Road 33, 0.4-miles south of County Road 20.

Trail users can travel up County Road 33, turn east on County Road 20, then north on County Road 35 to get to the next section of trail. This connection along roadways is about 1.75-miles long.

The west end of the eastern section of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is located at County Road 35, 1/3 of a mile north of County Road 20. There is a small parking area at this trailhead. the trail heads to the northeast on a diagonal going past farmland, then crosses County Road 22 and State Highway 22 on its way into Middlebury.

In Middlebury, the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail goes past Krider "Worlds Fair Garden" and there is a parking area to the east of Bristol Avenue, just northwest of Pleasant Street. the trail parallels Main Street for a short stretch then heads directly east.

The Pumkinvine Nature Trail travels another 5.78 miles between Middlebury and Shipshewana. There is a trailhead with parking and restroom on County Road 43, 1/2 of a mile north of County Road 16.

The eastern end of the Pumkinvine Nature Trail is located at N. County Road 850 W, just north of W 250 N to the west of Shipshewana.

MapleHeart Trail & Wilden Avenue Trail

The MapleHeart Trail and the Wilden Avenue Trail are paved pathways that connect the towns of Elkheart and Goshen.

The MapleHeart Trail is 4.8-mile long paved pathway that connects to the Wilden Avenue Trail at the City of Goshen boundary. The north end of the MapleHeart Trail is located at East Hively Avenue and Sterling Avenue on the south end of Elkheart. The trail follows alongside Hammond Avenue/CR 45 to Ox Bow Park. This is the point where it meets the Wilden Avenue Trail

The Wilden Avenue Trail is a 4.75-mile long section of the Maple City Trails and intersects with the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail on N. Main Street in Goshen. The trail goes along Wilden Avenue/CR 45 then crosses Oakridge Cemetery and Oakridge Park. The trail tucks under N. 3rd Street  to meet the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail at N. Main Street.

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Resources

Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail and MapleHeart Trail in Northern Indiana.