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4.7 km
~1 hrs 2 min
67 m
Loop
“Wander lakeside woods and gentle rises to a quiet ancient mound, where history lingers.”
This easy loop (about 5 km / 3.1 mi with roughly 100 m / 330 ft of total climbing) sits inside Mounds State Recreation Area at Brookville Lake, in southeastern Indiana’s Whitewater River Valley. Expect a mix of lakeshore walking, shady woods, and a few short, gentle rises—more “rolling” than steep—plus one of the area’s standout cultural landmarks: an ancient earthen mound.
You’ll be on a well-used recreation-area trail that alternates between: - Packed dirt and leaf litter in the woods - Open, sunnier stretches near the lake and along old planted areas/fields - Occasional roots and short uneven patches, especially where the trail dips toward the shoreline or crosses small drainages
Even with the modest stats, plan for a few brief ups and downs that add up to the ~100 m / 330 ft gain—nothing sustained, but enough to notice if you’re pushing a stroller or carrying a heavier daypack.
One of the defining features of this hike is the Glidewell Mound, an earthen mound described by Indiana DNR as a burial mound and commonly interpreted as being around 2,000 years old. (in.gov)
As you approach it, the trail experience shifts from “pleasant lake walk” to something more reflective—this is a protected cultural site. Stay on the tread, don’t climb on the mound, and avoid any off-trail wandering in the immediate area.
You’ll also get frequent Brookville Lake views through the trees and at openings. The lake itself is a major regional feature—an impoundment created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the reservoir is widely cited as being impounded in 1974). (en.wikipedia.org)
That history matters on the ground: many of the coves, shorelines, and “oddly straight” edges you see are shaped by reservoir management and fluctuating water levels.
Brookville Lake is known for being a strong birding and waterfowl migration area, and the causeway/shoreline zones can be especially productive for scanning the water. (cincinnatiaudubon.org)
On the trail itself, typical sightings and signs include:
- Songbirds and woodpeckers in the forested sections
- Wild turkey and other common upland wildlife noted by park materials for the area (in.gov)
- Seasonal ticks and mosquitoes (especially in warm months near brushy edges and damp pockets)
Carry water even on a short loop—sunny stretches near the lake can feel warmer than expected, and breezes off the water can mask dehydration.
At ~5 km / 3.1 mi, most hikers will finish in 1–2 hours depending on stops at the mound and lake viewpoints. The
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