Low Gap Trail is a 10.3 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Martinsville, Indiana that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Dogs on leash
Backpacking
Camping
Hiking
Nature trips
Walking
Bird watching
Running
Forest
Views
Wild flowers
Wildlife
The Sweedy Hollow area on the southwest portion of loop is beautiful. There's even a stone cove in one of the hills. The northern part of trail isn't so thrilling because a lot of it is gravel road, which is tiresome to the feet. Also the part alongside Forest Rd is a bit underwhelming due to logging and erosion. Perfect length for a serious jaunt though.
Fri Jun 19 2020I’d highly recommend checking out this trail. I choose it on a whim because I was missing the AT. The trail did not disappoint! It is somewhat rocky in areas (service roads) so is recommend boots over trail runners. Enjoy- happy trails!
Thu Jun 18 2020Thu Jun 18 2020My trail dog (German Shepherd) and I enjoyed overlooking the gap. Sweedy nature preserve and Low Gap Nature preserve are highlights. Two nice ponds with vocal frogs. Appreciated the elevation changes and got ideas to backpack based on rustic camp sites along the way.
Sun Jun 14 2020I absolutely love this trail except the 3ish miles that are gravel as it’s big gravel and rough on the feet. Needs smaller gravel or dirt option but beautiful and shaded trail!
Sun Jun 07 2020Great trail, lot of shade!
Mon Jun 01 2020We had another beautiful hike at Low Gap Trail the weekend of Memorial Day on Friday. We did the entire 10.3 miles!! With the hike to and from the trailhead (we parked near the playground) as well as some times we started down a wrong path and had to come back, we did 11 miles. It was muddy but with hiking boots, isn’t an issue. We also saw a rattle snake inches from the trail about 8-9 miles into the trail if going clock wise so beware. Almost stepped on it. It was about 5-6 feet long. We struggled at about mile 7-8 losing some steam but picked it up to finish strong.
Mon May 25 2020Love this trail for a day hike. This my fourth time, I think. Challenging in some areas, especially after rain—mud, slippery, creeks to cross. Most of it is perfect. I didn’t give it five stars because about three miles of it is on a gravel road
Mon May 25 2020Not my favorite trail. I wanted to take the advice of other hikers and do the trail clockwise to get the gravel out-of-the-way first, but when in the parking lot, wasn’t sure which direction that would be. Since we’ve had a few days of rain recently, the majority of the trail was mud. Not fun, but expected. There were a lot of bugs on this one, but I did appreciate several places to sit on the route.
Sat May 02 2020I agree with some of the other reviewers that this trail is best done clockwise. There were a lot of hikers, but it was Saturday. All of them were very friendly. Great place to be out celebrating being alive!!!!
Sat Apr 25 2020The variety of terrain is fantastic. Lots of hills to keep you honest. On a Campsite trail just off the main trail, East of the South crossing of Low Gap Rd is a HUGE fantastic field of Blue Bells, just off the creek. Full Bloom was APRIL 25, 2020
Mon Apr 20 2020My favorite parts of this loop are Sweedy Hollow Nature Preserve, with its amazing rock formations, and the Low Gap Nature Preserve, where the trail crosses the East Fork of Honey Creek. Plentiful wildflowers in mid-April, including phlox, red trillium, rue-anemone and spring beauty. This section felt quite remote. The road sections really are a bummer. I wear big hiking boots, so the gravel didn’t bother my feet, but walking on graded roads is no fun. Would be great if the Hoosier Hikers Council set footpaths along these sections. I was also disappointed that there were so many established campsites right on the trail. The existing sites should be decommissioned, and new sites should be established off-trail.
Sun Apr 19 2020Great trail. We had to rush through it a bit due to evening plans and completed in 4 hours. I didn’t believe the reviews complaining about the gravel road but once we got there, it was a bit hard on the feet. Would maybe be better if you go clockwise and get it out of the way first instead of ending with it? Lots of beautiful wildflowers. Would definitely recommend!
Sat Apr 04 2020Anyone rating a public free trail less than five stars is a whiny spoiled brat... good grief, stay home. With that said this is a great trail for a long hike. Waterproof footwear is a must and bring a camel pack, you'll want water Some sections of gravel road but mostly wooded scenic hiking. We will be back in the fall for sure, I'm sure it's beautiful!
Mon Mar 30 2020Good. I little muddy, but it had rained the day before. The road section (miles 7-9) are underwhelming with the road. Would do again.
Sun Mar 01 2020Sun Feb 09 2020Mon Jan 06 2020If you are from out of town and want to experience the rolling hills of south central Indiana this is the place for you. The gravel road portion was bad but the most challenging part is walking through the rock shelter. Bring good boots. Bring extra socks, and prepare to get a work out. If I had more time I should’ve brought in a light weight pack to gather trash due to people going in and making makeshift campsites and leaving their belongings.
Sat Dec 28 2019A bit mushy in places but over all lovely for Dec 28, 2019! Part of the trail includes gravel road, ew.
Thu Nov 07 2019pretty good trail. nice park. only one spot to get water. honey Creek. I would suggest starting on the opposite side of the loop as honey Creek because if it's dry there won't be any water until half way around. camel up and hike to the top of the ridge and camp there.
Tue Oct 22 2019Decent trail but too much road, pretty average in terms of Indiana scenic views other than when you go all the way down to the “low gap.” It’s almost a sort of enclosure, you can see dozens of names carved into the stone and the temperature drops a little bit down there. Grab a buddy and hit this trail.
Mon Oct 21 2019Not good for backpacking!! Not enough sites. Sites to close to trailhead. People bringing in stuff with wagons and such.
Sat Oct 19 2019Got a little confused in the parking lot due to reading reviews about a gravel section and missed the trail initially and hiked the rock shelter trail and back. LOL! Oh well, it turned the hike into 12+ miles. Just in case someone is unfamiliar with the area (and to spare them my embarrassment) the Low Gap Trail crosses the parking lot close to the road. I hiked clockwise so that the oft-mentioned gravel road would be early in the hike. For future reference, the gravel section is 2.2 miles in length and is bisected by Low Gap Road. The Sweedy Hollow portion was very picturesque, with lots of interesting rock formations. Very hilly in spots, but nothing too difficult for hikers in reasonable shape. Saw a very beautiful 4-foot black rat snake out enjoying the sunny fall day. After taking a few photos, I nudged it off the trail just in case some snake hater came along and killed it out of needless fear.
Sun Oct 13 2019Meh. We hiked counter clockwise and it is a typical southern Indiana trail in terms of hills and ravines. The gravel road section, which I estimate to be over 2 miles long, sucks. Nothing to look at and the gravel is rough on the feet. This is a good trail to get out and stretch your legs for 4 hours or so.
Mon Sep 16 2019Just finished this on an overnight trip. Not to challenging, but not easy either. There is back country camping, must see rock shelter. Good section of this trail is all gravel on a private road, not pleasant to be on. Did come across a timber rattle snake on the trail, pay attention to your surroundings here.
Mon Sep 16 2019Very beautiful very clean excellent trail
Mon Sep 16 2019Good trail... you walk down a gravel road for quite some time at the beginning/ end (depending how you plan it) - but it's beautiful once you get away from that. Take time to see Rock Shelter!!!
Sun Sep 01 2019I don't know how it's listed as moderate, this trail will beat you down then back up the next hill. Overall great trail.
