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Moraine Nature Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 150 Google reviews · Running trail in Valparaiso, Indiana · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 75 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Moraine Nature Preserve'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.
Nature preserve featuring mowed and wooded trails for hiking and bird-watching.
What runners say about Moraine Nature Preserve
“The big trail that is straight forward from the entrance road is very well maintained, wide, and easy.”
“I go here a lot there’s a little walking trail that’s very scenic and flat but also a more narrow and bumpy “hiking” path so you get the best of both worlds.”
“It is a very serene hike with few locals taking advantage of it.”
I’ve only done the looping trail south and east to the parking lot. For anyone who appreciates prairies and wildlife Habitats, you will be delighted here. The trail itself is a mowed path. The times I have been here, it was well maintained. Wildflowers and milkweed are abundant.
Early morning walk. There is a 2.5 mile figure eight trail, so you come back to the parking area in the middle. Wooded ravines on the north loop and open (restoration area) meadow along the woods, The south loop is very level and follows the top edge of the ravines sloping off to the east.
It is a very serene hike with few locals taking advantage of it. You’ll need to be attentive as some parts have a lot of roots and if you don’t pay attention you could trip. The fall colors should look very good.
Love this park. It's usually not crowded and offers two distinct trails. One is more rooted up with steeper climbs and drops and can get muddy. The other is a wider mowed trail that cuts through the rolling prairie and an easier hike. One of my favorites so far!
Trail conditions & character
“I go here a lot there’s a little walking trail that’s very scenic and flat but also a more narrow and bumpy “hiking” path so you get the best of both worlds.”
“It is a very serene hike with few locals taking advantage of it.”
“You’ll need to be attentive as some parts have a lot of roots and if you don’t pay attention you could trip.”
“Wooded ravines on the north loop and open (restoration area) meadow along the woods, The south loop is very level and follows the top edge of the ravines sloping off to the east.”
“5 mile figure eight trail, so you come back to the parking area in the middle.”
“Wooded ravines on the north loop and open (restoration area) meadow along the woods, The south loop is very level and follows the top edge of the ravines sloping off to the east.”
“Wooded ravines on the north loop and open (restoration area) meadow along the woods, The south loop is very level and follows the top edge of the ravines sloping off to the east.”
“Make sure you "go" before you go there since there are no restroom facilities.”
“5 mile figure eight trail, so you come back to the parking area in the middle.”
Plan your run at Moraine Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Loop distance75 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitenature.org
- Phone(219) 981-9183
- Social Instagram · Facebook
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