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Kokosing Gap Trail:
Ohio
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Description:
Part of the 453-Mile Ohio to Erie Trail, the 14-mile Kokosing Gap Trail is a straight shot through ravines and farmland and passes a beautifully restored train and a cheerful wood caboose. This outstanding trail connects the towns of Mount Vernon, Gambier, Howard, and Danville on a smooth asphalt surface with park benches about every half mile. The gap between each community is about 4 miles, give or take. Unlike most rail-trails, this one is maintained solely by donations and volunteers. Starting at the trailhead in Mount Vernon, the first part of the trip takes you along the sunken valley of the Kokosing River. Heading east you pass one of several overlooks of the river and surrounding valley and two old railroad trestles across the river. The bridges have been meticulously restored and are well worth a stop to admire the handiwork. Shortly after crossing the first bridge you reach the Brown Family Environmental Center at Kenyon College. A visitor center and a butterfly garden beckon you to take a break and come in for a self-guided tour through this wonderful garden area. Where the trail intersects busy State Route 229 and enters Gambier, you will want to pay close attention for a safe crossing. The village of Gambier is home to Kenyon College. After passing the campus of this distinguished liberal arts school, you can't miss Gambier Station and its four train cars, a locomotive, tender, flat car, and caboose. The community of Howard, like the rest of the towns along the Kokosing Gap Trail, provides notable diversions. The trailhead has a parking lot, restroom, and a playground donated by the Rotary Club. Just after an arched stone passage under Route 36, an incredible historic barn towers over the trail Another bridge provides views of a smaller tributary that flows into the Kokosing River and the trail soon opens up onto farm fields and pastures. After about a mile more you are back among trees, but you periodically get to peek out of the gaps in the forest to see the farm fields in the distance. There are only four quiet back roads that cause pause in the final 3.5 miles until the trail ends in Danville. The Kokosing Gap Trail is open 24 hours a day through all seasons. In early morning and twilight hours vintage-looking streetlamps shed light on your journey near the Gambier trailhead. If you visit in fall, be sure to look for the turkey vultures that congregate between Howard and Danville before they head south.
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Parking & Trail Access:
All of the towns along the route provide trailheads with parking and seasonal facilities. The Mount Vernon trailhead is on Mount Vernon Avenue. From Interstate 71 take State Route 61 north for 1.8 miles. Turn right onto State Route 229, which becomes US Route 35 in Mount Vernon. After about 17 miles turn right onto State Route 13 (South Main Street) and go 0.6 mile and take a left onto Mount Vernon Avenue. The trailhead is on the right side after Cougar Drive just under 1 mile down the road. To reach the Danville trailhead take US Route 36 to US Route 62 (Millersburg Road) north and go 3.3 miles. Take a left onto West Washington Street, after just over 0.1 mile take a right onto South Richards Street. The trailhead is on the left.
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Seasonal Restrictions:
    The Kokosing Gap Trail is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rest rooms are closed and water fountains turned off mid-November to mid-April.
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14 miles of paved heaven ... don't miss it!
By gfoley on April 22, 2009
The trail begins in Mount Vernon, Ohio and of course heads south, south east, non-stop into a very small town called Danville. The entire 14-miles is paved, some of which (2009) is rather new pavement. Once in Danville I suggest you ride into town, about a half mile or so, and grab a drink, "liquid bread", or a snack. If you wish the trail picks back up on the other side of town, but there it is no longer paved, but is still good if you have a tour bike of sorts.

This trail shoots through the meandering Kokosing River, which you find over the several bridges you will ride over -- some of the bridges have covered wooden seating areas right beside the river -- just a beautiful place to take a short break and enjoy the sites of the river side. If you pack a lunch, and start to ride from Mount Vernon, about 10 or 11 miles down the trail there will be a little area with picnic tables you can sit at and enjoy your lunch... they also have a necessary-room, and a drinking fountain, but I would still bring your own beverages just in case the fountain is off. The location of the picnic stop area is just before the road tunnel you see in the photos attached to this link... it is a stones throw away from the tables.

Enjoy this wonderful trail, and if you ride in the early evening you might see deer crossing the trail -- please be aware of this.

Enjoy your ride, be it serious race bikes at a fast pace, or a leisure tour bike at a crawl, either way I guarantee a great time!

Get out there and ride.............................
Awesome Trail
By Thomas P. Sandford on September 17, 2006
"Today was the first time I rode this trail. I started from Mt. Vernon and rode all the way to Danville and back again. This was a fun, comfortable ride with great scenic views. This should be a great ride for fall color later in the season. "
Awsome Ride
By Robin Wardrope on July 30, 2005
"Great paved, shaded trail through beautiful Ohio. About an hour each way. Danville is like stepping back in time."