My girlfriend and I rode this trail November 12th, 2011. Started at the Mount Vernon Trailhead, and rode the entire length to Danville. Along the way are numerous bridges that span the Kokosing River and many creeks that feed the river. We stopped at the Gambier Station area, (restrooms and a sign in book are there). Some photos of the old station are there and some history, I wish the photos were dated though. We continued on to the next stop of Howard, there is an arch bridge there that covered the old rail system. The red barn that is adjacent to the bridge is original to the area, not sure of the age as the photos there do not say. A resident of the area on the trail told us the path with a rail alongside it on the west side, went to the hotel that was there back in the day. The original hotel is no longer there needless to say. No photos of the hotel are there, but the photos show the old barn and the old station. We continued on to the last stop, Danville. Once in Danville we rode to South Market Street which is just a bit off the trail near a Marathon Gas Mart. On the same road is a gun shop, and a BBQ place called Porky's BBQ. It has only been there for about four months we were told by the waitress. We stopped in and had pulled pork BBQ sandwiches, and home made cucumbers and onions. Excellent BBQ and very good prices, we highly recommend this as the place to eat if you ride the trail. Many places along the way to take great pics, nice stops with bathrooms.

With mid to high sixties forecast for November 11th and 12th 2010, I planned my two day biking adventure, left Oberlin, Ohio and arrived in Mt. Vernon at 3:00p.m. on Thursday to take my first ride of six miles before lodging at the Russell-Cooper House in Mt. Vernon. Oberlin, Ohio sports a beautiful 14 mile rail trail, but I found myself jealous not having the Kokosing Gap Trail in my home city.

Throughout the length of the trail I found very friendly walkers, and cyclists abounding. Even though I had missed the fall peak was incredibly beautiful and still spotted with bright colors. I quickly realized my mistake in not arriving early my first day. So setting out early Friday the 12th, I cycled from Mt. Vernon to Howard and back. The way the river meanders along side the trail and under the tressels that cast beautiful plays of light. The Gambier stop with it's restored locomotive, coal box and caboose sitting along the trail as if it has just pulled into load passengers waiting on the benches under a wonderful line of shepherd hook lampposts. The stop at Howard is no less awe inspiring. Sitting down below the upper road, the grist mill, vibrant red, looms next to a magnificent tunnel weathered to perfection.

As I had planned other sight-seeing on Friday, my time was limited so I sadly opted to not bike further on to Danville with the promise to myself of making another trip, maybe in the spring, to experience that part of the trail as well.

This trail truly has it all and it is very obvious the love and dedication the people of these communities have put into this magnificent trail through donations.

I was in Mt. Vernon for the Knox County Fair and had wanted to cycle the Kokosing Gap Trail. I had too much fair food and needed to cycle it off. It was perfect cycling day with temps in the high 70s and sun. The trailhead was easy to find, had plenty of parking and was very clean. Actually, this trail is super clean and very well maintained. The surface is asphalt and the elevation hardly changes at all. I can see why I passed many inline skaters on the trail.

The trail is also quite cool. It is shaded almost its entire length. The first 4 miles parallel the Kokosing River which meandered across 3 times. Beautiful iron railroad bridges carried me across the water. If you plan to cycle this trail, watch for the sign for the Kenyon College Environmental Center at about 3.5 miles. The college has a huge perennial garden that cyclists are invited venture through. I did on my return trip and highly recommend it. This trail has a lot of wild flowers growing along its edge. There is an abundance of buckeye trees too.

At about 5 miles I cycled in Gambier. The trailhead bordered the edge of the Kenyon College athletic complex and fields. This is a super nice trailhead. There were clean restrooms, a steam locomotive and cars that you are invited to explore. A shaded picnic area was an inviting area to rest.

While resting in Gambier I chatted with an elderly gentleman at the station. He gave me the low down on Gambier. Alas, I was not to see the actual town unless I cycled off the trail and up a hill to the campus and village. I did not have the time to take this detour on this trip. He did give me some good tips on the trail east of Gambier.

Howard was the next village I crossed through. There was a very scenic barn along the trail. I am pretty certain it was most likely a feed mill and freight station for the rail line. My Gambier friend told me to exit the trail, cycle up the hill and visit the ice cream stand. I did on my return trip. Here’s my tip for Howard if you cycle this trail. At the top of the hill you will be on Route 36. There was a very tasty BBQ joint with smokers and cold beer. Adjacent to it is the Ice Cream Station, an old converted 60s gas station. I opted for ice cream. I had a slaw dog and an amazing red velvet cake hand dipped ice cream milkshake. Take my advice, stop in Howard for ice cream or BBQ.

Past Howard, the trail was pretty much standard Ohio rail trail. Most people opt to turn at Howard and return to Mt. Vernon. I ventured on to Danville which was probably about another 5 miles. This portion of the trail crosses farm land and is partially shaded. The landscape is pretty run of the mill. The trail ended at nice trail head in Danville just off of U.S. Route 62. I turned at the trailhead and cycled back to Mt. Vernon. Total distance was 27 miles of cycling.

I thoroughly enjoyed this trail. I highly recommend it for any rail trail cyclist. It is definitely one of the best maintained trails and has interesting scenery and attractions along the way.