9-14-2026 Pumpkin Vine Trail: Shipshewana, Middlebury and Goshen
We were in northern Indiana Amish country to visit a client, so we took the opportunity to spend some time on the Pumpkin Vine Trail. We parked in Shipshewana and set off toward Middlebury and Goshen, turning a work-related visit into a 43.4-mile out-and-back ride.
Ride facts
Date: Monday, September 14, 2026
Route: Shipshewana to Middlebury to Goshen and back
Trails: Pumpkin Vine Bike Trail (aka Pumpkinvine Nature Trail) and Maple City Greenway
Distance: 43.4 miles
From Shipshewana to Goshen
The day took us past open fields, shaded stretches, bridges and places to pause. We photographed the Quilt Gardens and passed through Middlebury, and along the way we noticed plenty of benches for anyone wanting a break.
A little farther than planned
In Goshen, we did not initially realize the Pumpkinvine Trail had ended. We kept going on the Maple City Greenway for a bit before figuring it out. A pretty spot by the river gave us a place to pause and turn around before retracing our route to Shipshewana.
From railroad corridor to a trail through three towns
The Pumpkinvine follows an old railroad corridor, but today its connections are about bicycles, walking, and small-town stops. It links Goshen, Middlebury, and Shipshewana, giving this ride a rhythm of countryside followed by another place to pause.
The towns along the way
Goshen brings a historic downtown with shops, arts, and places to eat. Middlebury sits at the heart of the trail, with parks and easy stops for ice cream or a drink. Shipshewana adds its Amish-country setting, bakeries, and handcrafted goods. That mix is what made this feel like more than a ride from one end of a trail to the other.
Along the ride
We parked near the start of the trail in Shipshewana and saw several accessing the trail from here.
Shipshewana Historical Society is located on one side of the parking lot.
The actual start of the Pumpkin Vine Bike Trail in Shipshewana.
Pumpkin Vine Bike Trail or Pumpkinvine Nature Trail - what's in a name?
The largely Amish community of Shipshewana is full of nicely manicured lawns and houses.
Several sections had a nice canopy of trees like this.
Love the interesting wood patterns in this bridge over a creek.
Quilt Gardens
Passing through Middlebury
There were many spots with benches for taking a break.
A cute photo opp for this relatively new trail.
In Goshen we didn't realize the Pumpkinvine Trail had come to an end, so we continued on Maple City Greenway trail for a bit before realizing it.
A pretty spot by a river where we paused and turned back.
More interesting bridges
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