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Martell Forest Loop
4.7 ★★★★★ 22 Google reviews · Running trail in West Lafayette, Indiana · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Martell Forest Loop's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Martell Forest Loop
“Beautiful quiet walk in the woods, trail clearly marked- wish we’d worn sandals to do some wading!”
“Choose-your-own-adventure trail that’s well marked even when there are a lot of leaves covering the path.”
Great forest hiking path with a surprising amount of hills for Indiana. If you do the entire loop, you'll be at around 6.5 miles and 1000 ft of elevation gain. There is a creek crossing near the start, but you can bypass it over a nearby bridge. There's almost no parking, but there's also almost no people here.
Choose-your-own-adventure trail that’s well marked even when there are a lot of leaves covering the path. Cute parts along ridges, and some much beloved elevation gain here in flat flat W Lafayette. Encountered some trail runners and a dog. Can’t wait to come back in the summer!
Beautiful quiet walk in the woods, trail clearly marked- wish we’d worn sandals to do some wading! We went on a Saturday morning which meant it was just after-hours parking, on the right slightly past the main entrance.
Building for bathrooms was locked after I *guess* went in--so no bathrooms the rest of the time. Nice trail, beautiful scenery
Trail conditions & character
“Cute parts along ridges, and some much beloved elevation gain here in flat flat W Lafayette.”
“Beautiful quiet walk in the woods, trail clearly marked- wish we’d worn sandals to do some wading!”
“Cute parts along ridges, and some much beloved elevation gain here in flat flat W Lafayette.”
“Building for bathrooms was locked after I *guess* went in--so no bathrooms the rest of the time.”
Plan your run at Martell Forest Loop
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near West Lafayette
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Ross Hills Park
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Public park offering kid-friendly hikes and barbecue grills.
Purdue Cross Country Course
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Lilly Nature Center
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Educational center offering environmental programs, natural history exhibits & a birdwatching area.