It will be 14-19 when complete but right now it ends below the Easton soccer fields. GPS logged 8.9 miles from the Westerville Sports Complex to Panera at Easton, so drop a mile or so of Easton and Westerville gives ~7 of the official Alum Creek trail. The construction in front of the Fire station is finished and the bikeway open so no detours anymore. I liked this one because there is something at the end (Easton) where you ride other trails and they dead end in the middle of nowhere so you just turn around and ride back, here you can ride to Easton and shop at one or two stores that are exclusive to Easton.
The only bike racks I've found were between Panera and the Roll: bike store, are there any others?

One trail list on this site says this is a 19 mile trail - another on this site says 14 miles. IT IS 7 miles. Even numerous stubs to subdivisions would not approach 14 or 19 miles. Generally well maintained. Interesting variation of urban/creek bed. Narrow - several hikers,etc. think you do trails as though you were on an English road, opposite side. Great local resource for residents. If you are in this neck of the woods and want a very short ride this is nice.

This dedicated paved 'Greenway' trail - with two completed sections - runs through multiple jurisdictions, primarily following the scenic Alum Creek river riparian corridor. Very family friendly flat terrain running through many city and metro parks and woodlands.
The few at-grade crossings have traffic signals with crosswalks. This trail is part of a longer contiguous MUP system, Blacklick trail to the south by Groveport in Three Creeks Park (confluence) and to the northern part of Westerville (Delaware County) where it hooks up with the Genoa Trail (a rail to trail).

For various maps, aerials, many photos, and futher descriptions: http://www.jnybny.com/Alum%20Creek%20Cover.htm

1) The northern end runs from Westerville to Easton soccer fields in NE Columbus:
From the northern most end, the trail starts at Polaris Parkway along the eastside of Cleveland Ave.
There is parral path to the west along the east side of Alum Creek though it is in stages of being built.
At County Line Rd (at-grade crossing) bikers may continue due south detour to the west following the path around the soccer fields and Alum Creek. You'll pass the Westrerville Community Center on the east side - great stop for restrooms, AC, indoor swim, etc. Both paths then join up along the bridge crossing the Alum Creek river. Immediately turn east onto and then follow the path to the south. (You may detour for a 1 mile loop through wooded Heritage Park). Note the restored Everal Barn and ponds with plenty of frogs. Hang a left through parking lot & right behind the Westerville firestation, squeeze through the fence, and turn right in the next parking lot to cross W. Main Street (at-grade crossing) at Collegeview Rd. Turn left, east, onto W Main for one block along wide sidewalk and then make next right - back onto dedicated paved trail.

There's a large overhead dam spillway to your left over the levee across from restored pond to your right. Coyotes have been sighted around these fields in the late evening, they won't hurt you. Note the historic metal bridge span that was recycled and moved here from the western side of Franklin County in the 1990's. You'll pass by an outdoor BMX bicycle dirt course (Westerville's Alum Creek Park-South), try it out if you dare. There's an adjacent very cool skateboard park featuring two concrete bowls. Bike below Shrock Road if hasn't rained recently - careful of mud & silt; otherwise if underpass gate is closed - take detour path ramp to the left to cross over Schrock Road (for safety - use traffic signal at Park Meadow). As you approach I-270 underpass note you are entering Columbus. Bike through more woodlands, a park preserve. You'll cross a very unique S-shaped concrete bridge - highly engineered courtesy of ODOT. Look for beaver, kingfishers, and other interesting wildlife in this recently surbanized area. You'll travel through Cooper Park- (watch out for spectators/kids using the path in this often busy area), cross over SR-3/Westerville Rd (at-grade crossing), look for signs of beaver that taken down the landscape trees, Casto Park, travel under SR-161/E. Dublin Granville Rd, cross over Alum Creek through Strawberry Farms Park- be on the lookout for deer and owls - Tanager Woods Park, cross over Alum Creek through the edge of Parkridge Park, cross under Morse Rd. Pit stop and ice cream available on the SE side of river at UDF! Cross over Alum Creek again - pause at bridge look for muskrats foraging along the river banks, run along the perimeter of the Easton soccer fields (look out for spectators/kids using the path). Past Easton Crossing trailhead to the southern end of the fields where the northern end of the Alum Creek trail currently dead-ends. There is a 3.5 mile gap - that will be completed in three project segments around 2011 - to hook up with the existing south central AC trail at Airport Drive by Ohio Dominican Un (Sunbury Rd). If you have the energy for an outdoor shopping adventure along with large variety of many restaurants - bike upgrade onto Easton Way, turn left into Easton Towne Center & enjoy it, you've earned it before you turn around to retrace your wheelin.

Stay tuned for part 2: The central southern end runs from Columbus Airport Dr, through Bexley, over Broad & Main Streets and through the huge 3 Creeks Park by Groveport.