Explore the best rated trails in Owensboro, KY, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Patoka Lake Bike Trails and Oak Hill Multi-Use Trail . With more than 12 trails covering 45 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I have a different perspective than most trail users. I am paralyzed from the waist down. My "daily driver" is a manual wheelchair. However, I also have a handcycle: basically a three-wheel bicycle that I pedal with my hands. The rear two wheels are just along for the ride. The front wheel does all of the steering, braking, and propelling. As my weight is all on the back wheels, it spins out on too steep of a hill. There is one hill on the west end of this trail (right next to Parrish Avenue) that I had to ride down the street to bypass. There's another hill about 1/4 mile from this one that I could just BARELY handle. Otherwise, this trail is fairly flat with a few small hills. A completely flat trail is kind of boring, but I just can't do a really steep one. The Greenbelt is, for me, the perfect blend of flat and steep.
Handcycle considerations aside, Owensboro has done a commendable job with this trail. It is very nicely constructed and maintained. There are several good places to park, with ample parking spaces. I have ridden it several times now. I suggest doing what I did - try parking at different lots and seeing which one you like best. My personal favorite is the one off of Higdon Road. It is somewhere in the middle of the trail and lets you go either direction. A 15 mile trail (so 30 miles if you do both directions) gives you a lot of options, especially if you're looking for a 5 or 10 mile ride.
As other reviewers have noted, they could have done a better job with signs. In town sections of the trail, it's sometimes a bit difficult to know if you're still on the trail. I'm from here, so I have been watching the trail being constructed for years, so it makes sense to me. If you're new to it, download and study a map of it and you should be good. A map will also show you the numerous parking lots.
There are a large number of road intersections. Owensboro drivers aren't known for paying attention, so be careful! There are good markings and flashing lights at all the intersections. Plus, it's fun to take little side quests down many of these roads that are wide enough for cars plus a wheelchair-width handcycle.
The trail provides a good mix of city streets, farm fields, and woods. There are a lot of spots without shade, so bring some sunscreen if the sun bothers you. The parks departments do a great job maintaining the trail, but there are quite a few tree root bumps in some of the sections. Watch your front wheel, slow down a bit, and you'll be fine. There are about half a dozen portable toilets along the trail, and tons of benches for a rest stop.
Like I said, I live within easy driving distance of the Greenbelt. The only thing more handy for me is to just leave my driveway and hit my local roads on my handcycle, which I do often. However, when I don't want to fight cars or when I have my daughter on her bike with me, the Greenbelt is my first choice. It is an asset to our community. Come check it out. I hope to see you out there!
I have a different perspective than most trail users. I am paralyzed from the waist down. My "daily driver" is a manual wheelchair. However, I also have a handcycle: basically a three-wheel bicycle that I pedal with my hands. The rear two wheels are just along for the ride. The front wheel does all of the steering, braking, and propelling. As my weight is all on the back wheels, it spins out on too steep of a hill. This trail, being built on an old railroad bed, is fairly flat, which makes sense considering that trains can only handle a very gradual grade. There are definitely very long, gentle uphills (and obviously downhills in the other direction) that provide a good challenge if you hit them fast enough. The only part I couldn't do was on the very end of the trail (the Central City end). There is a steep hill connecting the trail to the parking area. Thankfully, I parked at the Greenville end, where there is ample parking and a flat transition to the trail.
Handcycle considerations aside, Muhlenberg County has knocked it out of the park with this trail. It is very nicely constructed and maintained. As a railfan, I enjoyed seeing the old railroad structures and the P&L caboose that are beside the trail. It has a minimal number of road intersections, with only one of them a high-speed road requiring lots of rider attention. All of them are marked. There are plenty of benches for a rest. The first 1.5 miles or so of the Greenville end are through town. The rest of it is in a very natural setting with ample shade. I liked seeing the huge, old slough; the areas where the railroad had blasted through hills to make the railbed flat; and the numerous little creeks that run beside and under the trail. I live about an hour away, but I'll happily make that drive and hit this trail again.
Trailhead in Greenville is across from Clark Tire Center and has nice picnic table nearby. The trail is in good condition, saw some birding along the way and a nice city park at Powderly. Bathrooms at the HS were closed for the season.
A diverse trail running alongside busy streets, fields of soybeans, wooded areas, and into small communities with lush greenery and small lakes. Not well marked.
Reminded me of Ohio trails I've ridden. Wish Bowling Green, Ky., had something that long. Only real suggestion is that an emergency call box or two would be nice. Saw five people total on perfect Thursday afternoon ride. You wanna be prepared
We enjoyed biking this paved bike path in Jasper. It is not a fast ride, but a chance to take a break while traveling through Indiana. The City of Jasper has set aside a valuable recreation area in acreage that could just be wasted area. The trail is multiple use when many access points for residents. Midway, we biked 3 blocks to the Schnitzelbank restaurant and joined the lunch crowd for authentic German food with leftovers. The board walks are a bit tight to navigated, but maybe walking bikes across and enjoying nature is a better use of the bridge. maybewalkibikes across and
There aren’t a lot of paved bike trail options in the Dubois county area, so this one is nice to have available. The older section is scenic, and the newer section adds some mileage for a good out and back ride. One short steep hill but very easy otherwise. Watch out for traffic crossings.
We rode the trail from Northernmost trail head to the Southernmost trail's end just East of Downtown on the Ohio River Levi on a street bike and a 3-wheeled recumbent. The trail surface is fantastic and for the most part is atop a flood-control levi over the Pigeon Creek. We encountered only a few walkers and bikers, everyone was polite and followed rail-trail etiquette. Full sun exposure, so plan accordingly. Fun ride, stopped at an Evansville Brewery for beverage and appetizer before heading back to the car. This was our second time riding this trail.
We enjoyed our ride today. Read everyone’s reviews and found them to be 100% accurate. We started off from o Ford nature park and rode the entire trail. It was cool and overcast with very few people on the trail
Nice ride good even pavement w gradual inclines mostly flat. Saw two wild turkeys or saw one wild turkey twice. Not many people on trail. No soap or tissue at Central City trailhead restroom. A little confused finding trailhead on Greenville side
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