Explore the best rated trails in Chillicothe, OH. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail and Canal Winchester Trail System. With more than 34 trails covering 4315 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I recently rode the Gahanna Section of the Big Walnut Trail from end to end from Morse Road in the north to Price Road at the south end. This ended up being 12.3 miles for the entire round trip. This is a nice trail. Overall, the asphalt trail surface is in decent shape with little to no root uplift or potholes. The trail in this area is designed to connect residents with local parks and athletic fields. These parks (going from north to south) include Academy Park, Woodside Green Park, Lower McCorkle Park, McCorkle Park, Gahanna Municipal Golf Course, Creekside Park, Friendship Park, Gahanna Swimming Pool, and St. Matthew Athletic Fields. There are also a number of places to pick up food around Creekside Park. Thus, there is a lot of utility to Gahanna residents.
However, the lack of connectivity beyond Gahanna makes this section of the Big Walnut Trail lacking when compared to other Central Ohio Greenways such as the Alum Creek, Olentangy, and Scioto River Greenways. I also felt that signage was lacking particularly at trail intersections. Were you still on the Big Walnut Trail or had you just chosen wrong and now find yourself riding a neighborhood connecting spur? In addition, this trail seems more densely wooded than some of these other greenways which means that bike lights are a necessity if you are riding near dawn or dusk.
As mentioned by other reviewers on TrailLink, this ambitious trail project is a work in progress and is broken up into many unconnected parts. I rode six and two thirds round trip miles on this northernmost section of the Big Walnut Trail. It was a cool day so a Jacket was required this morning. The trail follows the western shore of Hoover Reservoir, one of the sources of drinking water for the city of Columbus. The trail is has nice views of the reservoir and you can cross over the top of the dam to the Brent Hambrick Memorial Disc Golf Course in Cornell Park on the lake's eastern shore. The trail surface is asphalt and is in fairly good shape. If you enjoy being near water you will love this trail. The last 3/10ths of a mile south of Hoover Dam was closed on this day so I was unable to reach North Street where the trail ends and I couldn't connect to the Chipmunk Chatter Trail; another trail in the Westerville B & W trail network. My one complaint about this part of the trail was the fact the the small loop to the tunnel that takes the southbound trail under Sunbury Road at Marlene Drive was not marked with a sign. I ended up continuing south along Sunbury Road on a much narrower sidewalk until I could cross at a traffic light at Walnut Street. Coming back north you can’t miss the tunnel as it trail leads directly into it. I rate this section pretty high, but I'm not willing to give it a great score because too much of the planned trail is broken into unconnected segments. Connect these segments and the Columbus area will really have something.
This trail has lots of potential with scenic views but is in dire need of maintenance and signage. I planned to do the full 70 mile round trip but stopped at just over 23 to avoid damage to my road bike.
Surprised to see this amazing trail that has great bed and breakfasts along it is not noted as part of the Great American Rail Trail. It sure would help demonstrate more GART completion if it was.
7 geo cashes along the way! Don't miss out!.
Looks like this trail will be extended.
Can some enlighten me?
Rode from Nelsonville south about 7 miles south and back September 14, 2022. It was a beautiful day on a great trail. Would love to go back and ride the other end.
My wife and I started our ride in Nelsonville, at the trailhead located behind Rocky’s Outdoor Gear Store. We rode down to Athens and back (approx 16 miles round trip). It was a beautiful fall day along the peaceful trail covered with foliage. Upon returning to Nelsonville, we then were pleasantly surprised to find a great lunch spot right inside Rocky’s at their own restaurant called Starbrick BBQ. Made a great day even better.
We rode this trail on October 23, 2022. It is best to take this trail on a Sunday when there is not a lot of traffic. The trail along Jack Gibbs is in need of repair. Also the weeds and brush need attention by the city of Columbus.
Overview:
• If you are a gravel enthusiast, you will be very disappointed as the OTET is 92% either paved or concrete.
• I would not attempt to experience the OTET without GPS guidance {bike computer or 3rd party software on a smartphone {i.e. Ride with GPS} or you will experience navigation set backs on your adventure.
• Areas that are crushed limestone/chert have a sparse covering and could be messy after a rain as there was plenty of exposed hard packed dirt due to a lack of limestone/chert covering.
Cleveland to Massillon 5 October 2022 ~ 70 miles
• Trails Experienced:
o Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail
• Beautiful views of the Cayuga river and Canal tow path with some locks in remarkable condition.
• Detour at the city limits of Massillon and as we arrived at end of the workday and the transition through was met with heavy traffic. You will need to make the downtown transition to rejoin the OTET on the Southside of Massillon.
Massillon to Mount Vernon 6 October 2022 ~ 80 miles
• Trails Experienced:
o Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail
o Sippo Valley Trail (10 Mile)
o Holmes County Trail (23 Mile)
o Kokosing Gap Trail (13.5 Mile)
• Expect rural road riding (20+ mile) through Mennonite/Amish communities from Dalton to Fredericksburg. This transition was well marked at every turn and you can see an example in the photo section for this trail.
Mount Vernon to Columbus 7 October 2022 ~ 52 miles
• Trails Experienced:
o Heart of Ohio Trail (17 Mile)
o Alum Creek Trail (25.2 Mile)
Columbus to Xenia 8 October 2022 ~ 60 miles
• Trails Experienced:
o Camp Chase Trail (15.9 Miles)
o Robert’s Pass Trail (6.5 Miles)
o Prairie Grass Trail (29.2 Miles
Xenia to Cincinnati 9 October 2022 ~ 70 miles
• Trails Experienced:
o Little Miami Scenic Trail (78.1 Miles)
o Armleder-Lunken Connector Trail (1.0 mile)
o Lunken Bike Path (5.0 Miles)
o Ohio River Trail (7.6 Miles)
• There is a detour on the Little Miami Scenic Trail halfway to Cincinnati near Kings Mill Bike Trail Access. After talking to some local runners on the Trail, they highly recommend not taking the detour due to road safety for cyclists. You can safely and easily make it through the detour and once you make it to the construction area with the buildings, head to the Cartridge Brewery and on the backside of it you can rejoin the trail.
Rode 3.7 one-way beautiful, secluded miles from Mineral to the Hope-Moonville Rd trailhead. The new bridges are wonderful. Really enjoyed the two completely different tunnels. Trail surface was great…just watch out for the road apples 😀
Bridges west of Moonville trailhead still not done. I didn’t even see any signs of construction so I think it might be many years until we see those.
Did not see a designated parking lot in Mineral. There is room across from the trail for about 3 cars. We parked there, but found out later that it is actually someone’s driveway….oops. I suspect you can park in the church lot north of the trail.
You can ride about 1/2 a mile east of Mineral on the driveway until it ends at a double locked gate with posted signs and flags. We saw one fellow ride around…hmmm. A few shallow mud puddles.
Like orangedoug said, better bring the bug spray. No problems while we were moving, but they loved to visit us when we stopped.
I’m thinking this might be one of the most secluded rides in Ohio. Loved it!!! Hoping they can extend it east and west someday….bikin-mike…Aug 2022
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