Whitewater Walk to Showcase Indiana’s newest Scenic Byway

METAMORA, Ind. – The third annual Whitewater Walk from Sept. 21-28 will showcase attractions along the newly designated Whitewater Canal Scenic Byway.

This year’s walk will celebrate a major accomplishment by the Whitewater Canal Byway Association, headquartered in Metamora. On July 22, acting on a recommendation by the Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman officially designated the route for the Whitewater Canal Scenic Byway.

The byway begins at Hagerstown, in Wayne County, and goes through small towns and countryside for 103 miles to Lawrenceburg, along the Ohio River. It is centered in the quaint village of Metamora, where the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site includes part of the 160-year-old canal and a working reproduction of a canal boat.

Once again the Whitewater Walk will bring together communities along the Whitewater River to celebrate the region's rich history, scenic beauty, and raise the level of awareness of the benefits of regional collaboration. The association is now planning to place signs along the byway’s route, which will help bring travelers to many attractions in southeastern Indiana.

The Whitewater Walk will start in Wayne County (IN) on Sept. 21 with a sunrise service in the Whitewater Gorge at Richmond. The Wayne County part of the walk continues Sept. 22 with hikers starting in Hagerstown and Cambridge City.

After hiking in Union and Fayette counties on Sept. 23, the walkers will take to the water on Sept. 24. Boarding kayaks at Quakertown Marina in Union County at 8 a.m., one group will take a trip down the east fork of Whitewater River. A group in Fayette County will canoe down the west fork of the river, also starting at 8 a.m.

An all-night campout, cookout and bonfire organized by Union and Fayette counties is planned on the night of Sept. 24 at the Treaty Line Cabins.