WOW--you can really get a workout on this one if you do the straight route from James Rd. north and then the east extension which takes you to OSU Newark campus. Don't follow the bike route signs, though, since they end abruptly on the side streets of Newark. They have an overpass over OH 16 now near the YMCA area, and if you just stay on that main road you will get to the campus area. Watch out or you will miss the trail going under you as you cross a little bridge near there. If you miss it, you should still be able to turn into the campus area and find it. It has several finger-trails there as well. I did this whole thing in 2010 and ended up with 43 miles total.

I love to ride this trail, but the root damage is starting to get out of hand. There are several places where the ride is very rough, and the yellow "alerts" have faded to the point of not being noticeable until you are on top of them. Other than that, this in one of my favorite rides in central Ohio. There are several good access points with good parking, few road crossings and just plain beautiful Ohio scenery!

This was my first ride and it was great. The trail was in great shape even after all the rain we have had. A nice run with 80% wooded and the rest in full sun. It was not crowed at all. I was out late afternoon (3:30 pm -- 6:00 pm) and saw enough folks to not feel alone but still had an open trail to go at the pace I wanted. A few serious bikers, some families, some walkers and joggers in the more populated areas. I really liked the mile markers on the trail so I knew my progress and I saw some historical markers but did not stop to read them. I live on the north-east side of Columbus and it was 12 miles drive to the Johnston Jersey Road parking lot. I can't wait to ride it and the other Licking county trails again.

We rode the trail yesterday from Johnstown to Granville round trip. It is a beautiful ride 90-95% shade and for a Sunday afternoon not crowded. A storm must have gone through the day before because the trail was blocked in two locations with downed trees. We were able to lift our bikes over and climb over the trees that were totally blocking the path(including damage to the bridge railing). The trail is slightly downhill from Johnstown to Alexandria and level into Granville. If we do it again we will start in Granville so as to do the uphill part at the beginning.

I have traveled the Granville portion of this trail several times...until today, my son and I rode our bikes from Johnstown to the YMCA in Newark ( I believe this is actually a different trail on the last portion) we are both fairly new to riding and it was a very nice ride. The terrain was relatively flat, well shaded for about 80-90% of the way and there were some nice views. I would recommend this trail to anyone looking to travel some miles on level ground. See you on the trail.

I just ran this trail for the first time and it is perfect for both running and biking. I ran the whole trail from Johnstown to Newark just to get a feel and it was perfect. Set in a nice quiet area where there are plenty of serious bikers as well as a few families, not overcrowded, but enough people to know your not alone out there.

"July 05 ride on shaded,paved trail. Awesome views, lots of wild life. Granville is a city everyone should visit. short side trail up into Granville a little testing"

I took my first trip on the trail today from Newark to Johnston and it was just beautiful. The trail is in excellent shape. I appreciated the historical markers. I will come back in the fall when the leaves are changing since so much of this trail is in heavy woods. The only thing the trail needs is some port-a-johns at a couple spots.

"This is a beautiful trail! Watch out for all the chippies trying to race with you! I lost my binoculars on Sunday, June 27th, either at Clemons station or along the road that is off of Rt. 37 that goes into Granville. If found e-mail or call 740-964-0611. Thanks.

Enjoy the Ride!"

New asphalt is being laid down. The surface is fantastic!

"Yes, the trail is in moderately rough condition and bumpy in places. But expanses of goldenrod, blue aster, prarie sunflower and a myriad of other fall wild flowers make the ride well worthwhile. Patches of sunny fields then tunnels of overhanging tree branches provide for varied scenery. This will be an excellent ride during peak leaf season.

This was our first time on the trail. We parked at the intersection of county road 539 and Raccoon Valley Road where the trail crosses CR539 just west of Granville at approximately the 4.5 mile marker. From there it is a mostly uphill (but a very mild grade) 10 some miles to Johnstown (we turned back about 1.4 miles from Johnstown). There is another parking area with picnic tables in Alexandria at approximately the 7.5 mile marker. Alas, as we approached nearer to Johnstown, we found that the mile markers had been broken off and we could only estimate the distance.

Returning to our car was literally a breeze - mostly down hill - great way for middle agers to end the ride! We will return to this trail.

As we were loading up to leave, another cyclist was just arriving. He reports that the scenery traveling toward Granville and Newark is just as good. Travel there is in the Raccoon Creek bottom land, and very close to the creek in many places.

Yes - it would be nice if the foundation that originally built the trail (or another organization) would now provide the funding to bring it back to its original pristine condition."