Richland B&O Trail:
Ohio
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Description:
Carving a semi-circular route from Butler to Mansfield, the Richland B&O Trail zig-zags across the same several roads and weaves in and out of rural landscapes as it moves northwest from Butler. With an aggressive maintenance program in the past few years, the 18.4 miles of asphalt trail is in excellent condition.
From Hitchman Park in Butler, commemorative benches depict the history of the Baltimore and Ohio Railway that operated on the route. Your first of severalcrossings of State Route 97 is just 1.5 miles into the trip. Continuing on cross Elm Street and leave the town of Butler. After traveling through a wooded area you cross the clear fork of the Mohican River via a bridge offering beautiful views of the river valley. On the far side of the slow-moving river, the trail takes you into quiet, rural fields. At the next crossing over Route 97 trail users have a stop sign and motorists have a warning sign, though it is slightly unorthodox: "Bike Route."
Crossing the river again on a unique curved-deck iron trestle bridge brings you into Bellville, about 5 miles from the start. Justoverthe bridge, the Bellville Trailhead is located in a restored railroad depot built in 1906. The depot offers restrooms, parking, and some wonderful historic information. Several more road crossings are ahead, as is a view south toward downtown Bellville, with its classic small-town main street shopping district. After crossing route 97 again the trail crosses Alexander Road. Iif you need a refreshment stop, there are a plethora of restaurants; just take a right at this crossroads. Going straight, take the trail and sail below Interstate 71. The following 2 plus miles are very serene, with only one rural road crossing and a few farm fields breaking up the pleasant forested environment.
Coming out of the forest, the trail parallels South Mill Street for about a mile and passes a water treatment plant just before arriving in Lexington. The Lexington Senior Center Depot on the left side of the trail offers a restroom break and water fill-up that will be your last opportunity for nearly 7 miles. Soon the trail becomes al forested area again and passes a small lake, though some road crossings will keep you on your toes. Deer Park, at mile15, has basic trailhead amenities and shortly after the park you reach Home Road Marsh. The marsh is home to an abundance of bird species, from swallows to hawks, as well as an assortment of other animals, including turtles, snakes, deer, and raccoons. There are benches where you can sit and observe all that the marsh has to offer.
A trailhead at Millsboro Road with parking and emergency call phones welcomes you to Mansfield. Crossing Millsboro Road you enter a wooded area with a creek flowing at your left. The trail dips under Park Avenue West. You can access the trail here but the approaches are very steep. Another underpass carries you under West 4th Street.
The northern end of this trail is lovely. North Lake Park, with a shallow pond, attracts geese and even a few anglers trying for the fish that are stocked in the pond. (To fish here you need an Ohio fishing license.). With clean new restroom facilities, a year-round heated pavilion, playground equipment, tennis courts, the lake and bird life, this park is a wonderful endpoint..
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Parking & Trail Access:
The trailhead in Butler is in Hitchman Park. From Interstate 71 take State Route 97 east toward Bellville. After about 8 miles Route 97 becomes Main Street in Butler. Cross Elm Street and look for Hitchman Park, just south of the BP Gas station, on the right.
The Mansfield trailhead, in North Lake Park, is accessible by taking I-71 to State Route 13 for 5 miles to downtown Mansfield. Turn left on West 4th Street go 1.2 miles, then turn right onto Parkway Drive. You will be forced onto a one-way to the right on Hope Road. North Lake Park is to the right around this loop.
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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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Late Summer Ride from Butler to Lexington on the Richland B&O Trail
By tombilcze on August 30, 2009
It was a cool late summer Sunday morning when we left the Butler trailhead. It’s a little hard to find. It’s just off Rt. 97 behind the BP on Elm Street (the only traffic light in town). There is a nice clean restroom, picnic area and a small park. Across the street is a small family restaurant. Gauging the cars in the parking lot, it must be pretty good.

Our destination was Lexington, 11 miles to the northwest. The grade is gentle but uphill to Lexington. That made for an easy ride back to Butler in the afternoon. The trail was mostly shaded and in very good condition. The pavement was unique in that it was lined like a regular highway. The Rt. 97 intersection just north of Butler is very busy. Make sure you look both ways.

We entered Bellville about 5 miles north after cycling along several farms. Take some time to take pictures on the steel bridge on the southern edge of Bellville. The Clear Fork River is quiet nice in that area. Bellville is a quaint small Ohio village. There is a nice trail rest area a block off of Main Street. It was clean with nice bathrooms. There is a nice antique shop, café coffee shop and ice cream parlor adjacent that is well worth the stop.

Continuing our journey north, the trail was a little less shaded as it paralleled Rt. 97. Just south of the I-71 underpass, Rt. 97 crosses the trail. There is a blind spot coming from the south since the road makes a near 90 degree turn at the trail.

The ride into Lexington is relatively uneventful, more farms and forests. You enter Lexington along side the water treatment plant. A very nice bicycle shop is at the Rt. 42 intersection in downtown Lexington. We ventured a mile north and then turned around.

On our way back to Butler, we took a 1/4 mile detour to the Dutch Heritage Amish Restaurant at the I-71 Rt. 97 exit. There is a paved country road just south of the I-71 underpass and north of the Rt. 97 crossing. It is a much safer route to the restaurant dropping you right at the restaurant’s door. A large bicycle rack is on the expressway side of the building adjacent to the miniature golf course. The food was decent and it had a small market with cheese, pastries and Amish style snacks. The salad bar is amazing and worth the stop.

It was downhill back through Bellville into Butler. We saw a lot of late summer, early autumn flowers in bloom. This trail in edged by numerous buckeye trees over most of its length. It is a pleasant ride with a gentle grade. What makes it nice is that there are small towns spaced 5-6 miles apart along its length. Each one had clean rest rooms, restaurants, and convenience stores. It’s worth a visit if you want to see some typical mid Ohio landscape at its best.
Great Ride!
By LindaB on June 30, 2009
Our trip started in Butler and ended in Mansfield. This is an uphill ride to Mansfield which we prefer on the way out then you have an easier ride on the way back.

Enjoyed the trail on this hot and steamy day! (6-26-09) It had stormed the night before knocking a tree down on the trail. You were able to lift the bikes over the branches and continue on the trail. We were very surprised to see the tree cleared on our return trip. Thanks for taking such great care of the trail.

Very nice facility in Belllville - restroom, picnic table, drinking fountain. It looks like an Ice Cream Shop is due to open across the street from the bike trail.

As of this date the following Geocaches can be found along this trail: GC1H8D3; GCKPPD; GC11813; GCXJKJ; GC1DWKJ; GC1181M; GC17MBG (50 feet off trail); GC17HY1 (50 feet off trail).

Campground right on the bike trail - River Trail Crossing . We didn't camp at this campground but the next day we drove over to check it out looked very nice. Their website says primitive to full-hookup sites available. If we come back this way we'll definitely stay there. Location: N40 35.919 W82 26.634
Enjoyable ride
By T. Oakley on April 27, 2003
"This is a very nice trail. The pavement is in great shape. There are good access points, although I would suggest the southern areas of Bellville and Butler as places to access the trail since the Mansfield end is a bit tricky to get to and the trail in Mansfield runs behind many busineses and over road crossings.

The trail opens up heading south, following roads and, generally, through open land, with minimal trees, etc. I have never seen a congestion problem.

Overall, I recommend the trail. It was an enjoyable ride!"
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