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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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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Sunny Late July Ride on the Kokosing
By tombilcze on August 01, 2010
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.
What an amazing Trail!
By brandt.smith on May 03, 2010
Had a blast on this trail. Time flies on this trail due to plenty of places to stop and beautiful scenery. Can't wait to go back!!

Only thing I didn't like is the digging they are doing just before you get to Mt. VU. It's creates dust that you cant help but breathe it in and they are destroying a good part of the scenery.
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.............................
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