10 cool Indy area trails other than the Monon

There's plenty to love about the Monon Trail. It's beautiful, well-maintained and connects people from a host of neighborhoods.

The Monon, which stretches from Hamilton County to Indianapolis, is also busy.

The trail attracts about 1.2 million users every year, according to Indy Parks. When the weather is nice, the Monon can be crazy crowded.

For those times when you need a change in scenery or have the urge to get away from the crowds, here are 10 cool metropolitan area trails that are not the Monon.

• Indianapolis Cultural Trail : 8 miles, Downtown Indianapolis. Where to start: Massachusetts Avenue and 10th Street.

The $63-million Indianapolis Cultural Trail is one of the coolest urban routes in the state. Opened in 2013, the Cultural Trail winds through Fountain Square, Mass Ave., the Canal and White River State Park and the Wholesale District.

It features wide paths, public art and plenty of bike racks.

Don't have a bike? Several Pacers Bikeshare locations are on the trail. Downside: You may have to pay to park, but go on a Sunday and the meters are free.

• Central Canal Towpath , aka the IWC Canal Greenway: 5 miles, Northside. Where to start: North College Avenue and East Westfield Boulevard.

The Central Canal Towpath stretches from Broad Ripple to 38th Street and passes through Butler University and the Indianapolis Musuem of Art.

• White River Wapahani Trail : 5 miles, Northside to Near Southside. Where to start: Riverside Regional Park, near West 29th Street and East Riverside Drive.

This trail follows the White River from 38th Street on the Northside to Raymond Street on the Near Southside. Along the route you'll see Riverside Park, IUPUI's campus and the Indianapolis Zoo.

• Pleasant Run Trail : 7 miles, Near Southside. Where to start: Prospect Street and East Pleasant Run Parkway North Drive.

This trail follows Pleasant Run Creek from Ellenberger Park in Irvington to Garfield Park. If you need a break, venture a little bit off the path and park your bicycle at the Garfield Park Branch Library's cool bike rack that spells out the word "BOOKS."

• White River Greenway — Noblesville : 3 miles, Noblesville. Where to start: Potter's Bridge Park, 19401 N. Allisonville Road, Noblesville.

This trail follows the White River through woods, prairie and scenic overlooks at Noblesville's Potter's Bridge Park. The restored bridge built in 1837 is the highlight of this ride.

• Polk Hill Trail : 2 miles, Greenwood. Where to start: Main Street and Emerson Avenue.

This trail takes riders around Emerson as it swings west and merges with Smith Valley Road. Along the way, riders will pass public art displays that change every two years. The trail ends near Craig Park at Smith Valley and Madison Avenue.

• Tracy Trail : 2 miles, Greenwood. Where to start: Woodman Park, 720 Ash More Drive, Greenwood.

The north-south Tracy Trail takes riders from Woodman Park, near Smith Valley Road and U.S. 31, to Summerfield Park, just south of Worthsville Road.

• Franklin Greenway Trail : 4 miles, Franklin. Where to start: Blue Heron Park, near Franklin Lakes Boulevard and U.S. 31.

Franklin's Greenway Trail takes users through downtown, Province Park, Greenlawn Cemetery and Blue Heron Park. The trail passes under a bridge at U.S. 31, so users avoid the dangerous heavy traffic.

• Vandalia Trail : 5 miles, Plainfield. Where to start: Perry and Smith roads, Plainfield.

This east-west trail follows the abandoned Vandalia Railroad line from Martin Road (County Road 500 East) to near Perry Road and Smith Road. Pedestrian tunnels cross Ind. 267 and Saratoga Parkway.

• White Lick Creek Trail : 3.5 miles, Plainfield. Where to start: Splash Island, 651 Vestal Road, Plainfield.

The north-south trail stretches from Splash Island, near the Friendship Gardens, and ends south of Hummel Park, 1500 S. Center St.

Call Star reporter Vic Ryckaert at (317) 444-2701. Follow him on Twitter: @VicRyc.