pate hollow trail

I was torn between 4 stars and 5 stars for this rating. I went with 4 stars because for a area that abuts Lake Monroe, the trail provides only very brief glimpses of the lake and does not get close to the water. That said, this is a beautiful, fairly hilly, woods hike and very close to Bloomington. The loop we took was 6.1 miles, and we saw only 5 other groups the whole time - despite it being a beautiful Saturday late morning. Very happy. Enter the rangers station on 446 (Knightsbridge rd at Paynetown rd) and go to the rear parking lot - the trail head is there. I recommend that you either download the trail map or turn right just past the rangers station and continue to the park entrance where they can give you a map. We hiked when leaves had just fallen, which occasionally obscured the trail a bit so we were happy that Google Maps showed the trail on our phones.

Lots of hills to get you warmed up, beautiful trees and views of Lake Monroe. The trail is behind the Indiana Conservation Officer Headquarter before you drive into the Paynetown SRA. Trail junctions are well marked with a 'You are Here' type map - very helpful. While hiking, a coyote and I almost bumped into each other - don't worry, the coyote was more scared of me and dashed away quickly. Really enjoyed seeing the birds, deer, and coyote.

There are a few options to make this trail longer or shorter and we really enjoy the views - both wooded and then lakeside as the trail winds around the edge of the lake. Very nice and well-marked. Parking is easy (behind conservation office) and it is moderate in difficulty.

Pate Hollow is a nice 7.7 mile loop trail just 15 minutes from downtown Bloomington. The trail is well marked and easy to access. The trail head starts in the parking lot of the DNR station on SR 144. Check out the trail map here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5287875.pdf. The full trail is nice, taking you out to Lake Monroe and across several streams.