Trails

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1. Robbins Trail .5 mile Starting at Trailhead Park and crossing the suspension bridge over Deer Creek will lead the hiker to the choice of walking to the left and following the system of trails that are described progressively, or going right and reversing the order of trails listed here from bottom to top. The Robbins trail generally follows the beautiful banks of Deer Creek and was named for the generous landowners who allowed this path to skirt their field.

2. VanScoy Towpath Trail .9 mile From Sunset Point to Highway 421, this trail contains some of the most beautiful towpath, especially the section nearest the Wabash River. This trail also passes by the 1838-39 Irish Canal Construction Camp, Canal Lock #33, and two prosperous paper mills that operated in the mid 1800s. The extreme south end of the trail is "Sunset Point" where Deer Creek meets the Wabash River. A rest area provides the hiker a serene view of the waterways at a point where the Deer Creek Dam provided a lake for the canal boats to cross the creek without an aqueduct.

3. Obear Millrace Trail .6 mile After leaving the VanScoy Trail, this trail overlooks the Wabash River and then traces the millrace up to the paper mill sites where it rejoins the VanScoy Trail. The mills received their power from the surplus canal water which exited to the river after powering the mill wheels.

4. Underhill Towpath Trail .7 mile This trail takes the hiker from the Highway 421 crossing to North Washington Street. Canal Park is a main attraction along the way. The recently construction Wabash and Erie Canal Conference and Interpretive Center offers meeting facilities and interactive exhibits to tell the fascinating story of life during the 1850s canal era. The canal village with the refurbished Federal style 1844 Reed Case House and other historic log cabins and blacksmith shop, provides hikers and visitors ample things to see and do.

5. Founders Towpath Trail .5 mile From North Washington Street this trail takes the hiker along the west side of the beautiful, rewatered section of the canal, past the restored 1873 Iron bridge and ends at Founders Point where the 'tumble' brings the million gallons of fresh clear water from the Delphi Limestone Company's diversion pumps. The tranquil setting for the rest area at the point will allow the hiker time to reflect on how this 150 year old waterway might have looked during its heyday.

6. North End Trail .5 mile This trail leads from Founders Point to the Riley City Trail. An easy walk from Founders Point take the hiker past the old Lime Kilns of the 1850s, where locally quarried limestone was 'burned' to produce plaster and whitewash. Commercially, these lime products were some of the best quality in the country and were transported as far away as New York City (via canal). You will also see the restored 1873 Pain Creek iron bridge, the trail then passes the widewater canal boat turnaround and loading area in Canal Park Annex and then joins the Riley-City Trail.

7. Belt Railroad Trail .3 mile This trail leaves the North End Trail at Canal Park Annex and follows the century old Delphi Commercial Club's path to potential industrial site near the Golf Course. The most active commercial ventures were the Harley Brothers Lime Kilns, which ceased operations in 1917, and the Ice Plant, which ceased in 1950.

8. Riley-City Trail 1.5 miles This urban trail runs from the southern tip of Canal Park Annex through the city to its junction with the Interurban Trail. It follows city streets and sidewalks through Delphi to the suspension bridge where it crosses Deer Creek and enters Riley Park. It then follows along Deer Creek and under the highway where it continues through Riley Annex. The trail crosses Deer Creek again to follow Hamilton Street to the junction of the Interurban Trail at the parking area. Historic home and tree lined streets as well as Riley Park, named for Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley, afford a reflection on the architecture and park setting of this historic community.

9. Downtown Loop Trail 1.0 mile Connecting the outlying trail system with the downtown, this trail follows streets through beautiful old residential and commercial portions of Delphi including passing by the Court House and City Building. The Carroll County Historical Museum is located in the southwest corner of the Court House. Restaurants, coffee shops, boutique and antique stores abound on and near the Court House Square. This trail provides a connection with the Riley-City Trail.

10. Interurban Trial .7 mile From the parking area at the highway to VanDerVolgen Overlook and Rest Area, this interesting trail has heritage dating back to the early part of this century. Commuter electric trains, called "Interurbans", ran on narrow tracks along the elevated portions of the trail. The trains ceased operation in the 1930s. The VanDerVolgen Rest, named for the Canal Park's beloved deceased blacksmith, is on the high pillar of a bridge abutment overlooking Deer Creek and the beautiful Deer Creek Falls.

11. Happy Jack's Loop .5 mile Branching off the Interurban Trail at the site of the old Smith Dairy Farm, this trail continues to Deer Creek Falls. It passes by the site where the first County Court was held in Daniel Baum's cabin. This beautiful trail loops along the north bank of Deer Creek and rejoins the Interurban Trail at the east end of the Robbins Trail across from Deer Creek Falls. The return to Trailhead Park and the suspension bridge is by the Robbins Trail.

Wabash & Erie Canal Website

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