Home › Indiana › Waveland › Pine Hills Nature Preserve
Pine Hills Nature Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 240 Google reviews · Running trail in Waveland, Indiana · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Pine Hills Nature Preserve yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. 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.
Kid-friendly nature area offering hiking trails and scenic views.
What runners say about Pine Hills Nature Preserve
“After a a bit of a walk through flat woodlands less than a mile from flat fields, you suddenly hit some of the most beautiful landscapes in Indiana.”
“If someone doesn't show you, you'll probably miss the Devil's Backbone, since it isn't well marked.”
“Trail signage could be improved in a few spots - it can be easy to get disoriented and lost for a while, but all in all a nice peaceful hike.”
Great addition to Shades State Park. We hiked part of #10 after hiking the hikes at Shades. Turkeybackbone, Mill Cut and The Slide are interesting but Devil's Backbone and Honeycomb Rock are where the action and drama happen!
Great place to hike in central IN. You have to enter Shades State Park and then take a right to get to the trail head. The trail is well marked and medium difficulty. There are a few stream crossings so be prepared to have wet feet. If you like plants, there are tons of beautiful forest interior plants.
If you had been to Turkey Run you can skip Shades SP and go directly to Pine Hills. Amazing trail #10 with a few gorgeous spots along the way. From stunning cliffs to tall slides to peaceful creeks... Wonderful place to hike on a weekend.
Love the hiking here! It’s an amazing view and wonderful preserve. It is worth the trip to the spine to hike across and to enjoy the nature. The view is unmatched especially in Indiana. It’s an easy enough high but some climbing over rocks to the top. You can enjoy it still if you don’t climb to the top.
Trail conditions & character
“After a a bit of a walk through flat woodlands less than a mile from flat fields, you suddenly hit some of the most beautiful landscapes in Indiana.”
“If you had been to Turkey Run you can skip Shades SP and go directly to Pine Hills.”
“After a a bit of a walk through flat woodlands less than a mile from flat fields, you suddenly hit some of the most beautiful landscapes in Indiana.”
“Trail signage could be improved in a few spots - it can be easy to get disoriented and lost for a while, but all in all a nice peaceful hike.”
“If someone doesn't show you, you'll probably miss the Devil's Backbone, since it isn't well marked.”
Plan your run at Pine Hills Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- 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.
- Websitein.gov
- Phone(317) 232-4052
Running trails near Waveland
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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