(BEDFORD) – The Bedford Hiking Club is sponsoring a scenic walk on Saturday, April 27 in Martin State Forest. The walk is part of a Volkswalk series of 5 and 10-kilometer walks that showcase some of Indiana’s most scenic landscapes. A 10K walk is approximately 6.2 miles.
Walkers are asked to sign in for the walk between 9 and 1 on Saturday and should be finished by 4 p.m. Sign in for the walk is at the Cookshack Shelter House, the first shelter on the right inside the Forest entrance. The walk includes the Forest’s most scenic trails.
Several unique features make this walk of interest. The trails go past a lookout tower which walkers are welcome to climb and around two lakes with short boardwalks. The trails pass several projects built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s including a stone bridge, shelter houses, and the Lookout Tower. You will also walk a tree identification trail that interprets several native trees in the area.
Most of the route is easy to moderate but there is one long uphill section. There are beautiful sections with rocky bluffs and rock outcrops. Wildflowers are in bloom along the trail, and a checkpoint midway offers refreshments.
Bedford Hiking Club President Alison Piper said, “Most people have no idea how pretty this area is, and there’s no better time than spring with all the wildflowers to enjoy our state forest.”
Piper noted that there is ample parking and volkwalks are for all ages. “People take their time; enjoy the outdoors and scenery and the other people they meet. Volkswalks are popular all over the world. She explains volkswalks can be traditional walks such as this one which is only held for one day. Or set up to be walked at any time year-round such as Bedford’s volkswalk at Spring Mill State Park or their walk in Bedford whose start point is at Hardees. “Come out on April 27th, and we’ll get you started on volkswalks, and you may want to check out all the other walks in the area.”
Join the Bedford Hiking Club’s volkswalk on April 27 or any Monday afternoon the club has a short hike somewhere in the area.
For more information contact Piper at 812-277-0946 or aligpiper@aol.com. Martin State Forest is located just east of the town of Shoals off US 50.
