Explore the best rated trails in Lancaster, OH, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Athens-Belpre Rail Trail and Wellston Bike Path . With more than 47 trails covering 4964 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.
From Eureka Ave to Hollywood Casino don’t ride alone, be cautious of trail hazards. I encountered between 10 & 15 individuals sitting on and around the trail using heavy narcotics, ‘on the nod’, plus two girls between 8 & 10 yrs of age sitting on the trail smoking weed. On my return I rounded a curve at high speed and almost collided with a car in mid path with its trunk open and two women standing at the trunk. A bike was laying across the path as well blocking all pavement. So much garbage, shopping carts, and scrap metal in the path. My co-rider hit something they didn’t see that sliced his tire. So many homeless camps along the path. Definitely not the 5 star, pretty ride described in the comments. I would ride the rest of the trail again but will never again ride between Eureka Ave. and Hollywood Casino.
This "trail" is made up of many smaller trails and some of it is on roads. Do as much research on this as you can before your trip!
We use this trail as a go between the Kokosing Gap Trail and the Heart of Ohio trail in Mt. Vernon. When in Mt. Vernon there is the old train station/welcome center with restrooms open bankers hours. Be sure to visit Ariel Foundation Park 1/2 mile from the Mt. Vernon train station welcome center. Many eateries near this trail. We went to the Southside Diner this time.
We travel over 3 hours to get to every year and stay in the area. Trail runs from Mt. Vernon to Danville. Connects to other trails at each end. This trail is paved in good to fair condition. There was a closure on the trail near Kenyan College approx mile marker 4. Word is they are doing repairs before a near future repave. We will see next year when we come back. Most of the trail is well shaded but some of it goes through open farmlands. Take the Mt. Vernon Connector and there are numerous places to eat next to the trail. While in the area visit Berlin Amish Country. All in all this trail is one of our favorites!
We stayed at the Hideaway on the Hocking in a gorgeously refurbished train caboose. We rode right out on River Rd 8.5 miles until we picked up the east end of the trail. The trail is in really nice shape with bathroom stops available along the way. We rode all the way to Glen Ebon Rd just south of Nelsonville, OH. Just didn’t have it in me to go all the way today. Lol. Many sections with great tree cover and some riding along the river. There are parking options along the way. Would recommend. Less than 1000 feet of elevation gain over 52.6 miles.
This trail is well maintained and very beautiful
We parked at the Newell Recreation Preserve on County Line Road and biked to Sunbury. Most of the trail is un-shaded as it travels through open farmlands. There are a few sections of the trail that travels through wooded areas offering shade. Trail surface asphalt paved in very good condition. Well maintained, the grass was cut along the trail. This trail connects seamlessly with the Heart of Ohio Trail for an addition 16 miles into Mount Vernon. Trailhead at Newell Recreation Preserve is a gravel lot, zero shade, no benches or anywhere to picnic (have a lunch/snack). Sits up high, like a wind tunnel anyhow.
Always a great ride on this trail as we travel several hours to get to and stay in the area. We parked at Newell Recreation Preserve at Countyline Road and biked one direction on the Heart of Ohio Trail (Knox County) then the other direction in Delaware County on the Meredith State Road Trail towards Sunbury. The Heart of Ohio trail travels mainly through open farmlands so there isn't much shade. Trail surface is asphalt pavement in good condition. Trail maintained as far as grass mowed along side the trail.
Rode 11 miles from Mt Vernon and back. The railroad depot in Mt Vernon is a great place to start. Ariel-Foundation park is very interesting and worth the time to explore. Trail is in good condition with lots of shade. And Mt Vernon is a great town to stay overnight and explore.
We rode this trail today, there is a lot of nice canopy so even on a hot day it’s nice. However, they were cutting back the weeds and sides of the trail, and there was a lot of debris on the trail. Also, there are no restrooms at the trailhead/parking areas. There was one in Johnstown, but it was disgusting.
My husband and I intended to ride from JR Smith Park this morning, but the park and its parking lot are CLOSED due to construction. We shifted northeast to the next available trailhead with parking at Newell Recreation Preserve to begin our ride. It was a beautiful day for a ride on the HOOT section of the OTET!
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