Skip to main content
ForestMatters, LLC

German Ridge Trail

Hoosier National Forest, Indiana · 3 min read

Distance
5.8 mi
Elevation Gain
560 ft
Difficulty
moderate
Route Type
Loop
Best Season
April through November
Dog Friendly
Yes
Difficulty Score
5 / 10

Trailhead Amenities

Restroom
Vault Toilet
Parking
Free
Cell Service
No Signal
Water
Nearby
Camping
Developed
Google MapsApple Maps

Conditions, regulations, and fees change frequently. Verify with the local ranger district before your trip. Full disclaimer

At a Glance

  • German Ridge Lake: a small forest lake with fishing access
  • Historical German immigrant settlement site
  • Mature oak-hickory forest with spring wildflowers
  • Low-crowd southern unit with solitude on weekdays
  • Good turkey and deer observation in fall

Overview

The German Ridge Trail loops through the German Ridge Recreation Area in the Perry County unit of Hoosier National Forest: the southernmost and least-visited section of the forest. The 5.8-mile circuit combines a small lake, mature oak-hickory ridges, and the historical remnants of a 19th-century German immigrant settlement that attempted farming in this rough terrain before the land eventually returned to forest.

The recreation area is one of the quieter sites in the Hoosier. On weekday visits, encountering other hikers is uncommon. The primitive campground makes it a good base for a night or two in the southern forest.

The Route

Miles 0.0 to 1.0: Lake Circuit

From the parking lot, the trail heads west to circle the small impoundment at German Ridge Lake. The lake is about 5 acres, ringed with mixed forest and a small dam on the south end. Bass dimple the surface on summer evenings. After circling the lake, the trail enters the ridge forest and begins climbing.

Miles 1.0 to 3.5: Ridge Traverse

The ridge section is the most topographically interesting part of the loop, with two climbs of 150 to 200 feet each. The forest transitions between the drier, open oak-hickory of the ridge tops and the moister tulip poplar and maple of the hollow bottoms. At mile 2.3 a spur trail leads 0.2 miles to the remains of the German immigrant settlement: a partially intact stone foundation and a small hilltop cemetery with markers from the 1860s through 1890s.

Miles 3.5 to 5.8: Southern Loop and Return

The southern section of the loop swings through a broader hollow with a seasonal stream before climbing back to the trailhead. This section has the best wildflower diversity in April and May: trillium, wild ginger, and mayapple in the hollow bottoms.

When to Hike

April through May: Spring wildflowers and creek flow at peak. The settlement ruins and cemetery are most atmospheric in spring before the forest leafs out fully.

October: Excellent fall color on the oak-hickory ridge. Wild turkey and white-tailed deer are active before hunting season.

November through December: Hunting season begins: blaze orange strongly recommended.

What to Bring

Water from the campground (when available seasonally). Many hikers carry water from home. Trekking poles for the ridge climbs. Sturdy shoes with traction for rooted trail sections.

Trailhead Access

German Ridge Recreation Area is on German Ridge Road in Perry County. The road is unpaved the last several miles: passable to most passenger cars in dry conditions. Vault toilets at the recreation area. Primitive campground ($12/night, as of 2026). No permit required for day hiking (as of 2026). Dogs welcome on leash.

Nearby

The Hemlock Cliffs Trail is in the same southern forest unit and is the forest's signature attraction. The Mogan Ridge Loop is a more rugged wilderness circuit in the same general area. Check current conditions for forest road accessibility. Review Leave No Trace principles around the historical settlement site: do not disturb the cemetery or remove any artifacts.

Trailhead Parking

Gravel lot at German Ridge Recreation Area. Free. Vault toilets available.

← Back to Hoosier National Forest

More Trails in Hoosier National Forest

moderateloop

Hardin Ridge Trail

4.8 mi320 ft gain
April through October

A 4.8-mile loop through the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area on the north shore of Lake Monroe, combining forest trail with Monroe Lake shoreline access in the northern Hoosier National Forest.

3 min read

moderateloop

Hemlock Cliffs Trail

2.7 mi340 ft gain
March through June

A 2.7-mile loop descending into a sandstone box canyon where a 60-foot seasonal waterfall drops under an overhanging cliff and eastern hemlocks line the walls: the most visited and most scenic trail in Hoosier National Forest.

3 min read

moderateout-and-back

Hickory Ridge Trail

4 mi380 ft gain
March through November

A 4.0-mile out-and-back along a dry oak-hickory ridge in the southern Hoosier National Forest, with winter views across the Indiana hill country and good wildflower diversity in spring.

3 min read

moderate-hardpoint-to-point

Knobstone Trail North Section

9 mi1,850 ft gain
March through November

A 9-mile segment of Indiana's longest backpacking trail through the Knobstone Escarpment, with significant climbing, ridge views, and creek crossings in the most rugged terrain in Hoosier National Forest.

3 min read

easyloop

Lick Fork Lake Trail

3.2 mi180 ft gain
May through October

A 3.2-mile loop around Lick Fork Lake in the southern Hoosier National Forest, providing an easy lake circuit with swimming access and picnic facilities popular with families in summer.

3 min read

moderate-hardloop

Mogan Ridge Loop

7.4 mi780 ft gain
April through November

A 7.4-mile circuit through the Perry County wilderness unit of Hoosier National Forest, crossing creeks and traversing ridges in some of the most remote and rugged terrain in Indiana.

3 min read

easyloop

Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest Loop

1.5 mi80 ft gain
April through November

A 1.5-mile circuit through a 96-acre old-growth white oak stand in Hoosier National Forest, where trees up to 400 years old and 4 feet in diameter survive as one of the most significant ancient forest remnants in the eastern Midwest.

3 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

Who settled at German Ridge?
German immigrants settled in the ridges and hollows of Perry County, Indiana, in the mid-19th century, establishing small farms on land that proved difficult to cultivate. The farms were largely abandoned by the early 20th century, and the federal government acquired the land during the Depression era. Small cemeteries and stone foundations remain.
Is German Ridge Lake good for fishing?
Yes. The small impoundment at the trailhead is stocked with bass and catfish. A valid Indiana fishing license is required (as of 2026). Fishing from the bank is accessible at several points near the campground.
How difficult is the German Ridge Trail?
Moderate. The rolling ridge terrain has several climbs of 150 to 200 feet. The footing is rooted and can be slick after rain. Most reasonably fit hikers complete the loop without technical difficulty.