Explore the best rated trails in Mount Vernon, OH. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Holmes County Trail and Hoover Scenic Trail. With more than 46 trails covering 4364 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.
Two issues I have with the Sandel Legacy Trail is it is hard to tell which parts of the trail linking Galena and Sunbury are [1] There are THREE TRAIL NAMES associated with this trail. Riding southwest to northeast, you pick up the Galena Brick Trail in Galena, either from Dustin Rd which is county road 104 or from N. Walnut Street in Galena proper if you followed West Columbus Street into Galena to go to The Coffee Vault or Galena Diner or simply through central Galena. Once you catch the Eastbound{Northeast bound} Galena Brick Trail , you pass through a park and playground, Miller Park and continue eastbound through residential Galena. Follow the trail straight into Sunbury and exit and you see the sign that says Sandel Legacy Trail . But as you are riding along on this trail, some of the streetsigns labeling the trail say Thomas W Hopper legacy Trail. Thus on a short 2.5 mile trail, you see three name changes and the transitions are not clear. Sandal Legacy is only named prominently on a sign at the east trailhead. [2] The continuation of the Ohio to Erie Trail from the Sandel Legacy is not clear from the map or from wayfaring signs at the Northeast trailhead of the Sandel Legacy. The map suggests you turn to S Columbus Street to follow a path to the North through Sunbury to Rainbow Street. However doing so requires a n unmarked LEFT TURN after crossing the Bridge over S Columbus Street to leave the trail and roll down to that street. The trail continues east to where the actual Sandel Legacy Sign is posted then ends in gravel through which you cut to the north to find yourself on N Vernon Street then you have to make a LEFT TURN {No sign informing you of this} onto E Cherry Street to get to North Columbus Street which you can then take to Rainbow Avenue. Signs for Ohio bike route 1 are pretty clear once you make it onto North Columbus Street, they will guide you to Rainbow Ave to High Street and then to Hartford Rd which gets you out of Sunbury, up a little hill, then you are ready for the actual Delaware County Preservation Parks Ohio to Erie Trail, all trail as of 6/3/2022 and it takes you onto the Heart of Ohio Trail. Sandel Legacy Trail itself is pretty nice but it is confusing, poorly signed especially at its transitions into Sunbury and it is unclear where it becomes Thomas W Hopper or Galena Brick.
This trail is awesome for looking out over the northern Hoover Reservoir as you ride Northbound from Plumb Road to a short connector that takes you to 3C Road and on into Galena Ohio if riding Northbound and if riding Southbound, you come back also viewing the reservoir through the forest. There is a bit of mud between the trail and the Reservoir and you need some strength for the southbound ride, it is a demanding uphill climb especially as you ride up to go over the bridge that crosses 3C road. That climb is a workout, you will actually hate it if you detest hills. It ends southbound at Plumb Rd when you turn right to go to the Genoa Trail for the ride into Westerville. This trail, Plumb Rd and The Genoa Trail essentially link Sunbury and Galena.
Rode the Alexandria to Johnstown segment last year as our inaugural ride on our new e-bikes. Came back today to take the trail Alexandria to Newark. Beautiful and easy ride both ways, although we missed peak fall colors by about a week!
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.
Lovely fall day, beautiful trail did 26 miles from Kenyon College to Danville switched to the Mohican Valley trail to the Bridge of dreams and back. Beautiful trail. A variety of landscapes had to stop a lot to take many pictures on a perfect fall day. Only negative, make sure to pack water and snacks there wasn’t anything open in Danville on a Sunday.
Stopped at this trail while traveling (by auto) in the area. Trail is 2.5 miles in length, and asphalt paved in very good condition. We parked in Marshallville and went North about a half mile where the trail ends. We traveled South on the trail towards Orrville and that section is approx 2 miles in length and ends at Forrer Road. Pretty countryside. The trail is mainly open through farmlands. Horse friendly, ride along side of the trail in the dirt/grass. Nice little trail will someday connect with the other section in Orrville.
Used this connector trail as we finished up on Heart of Ohio Trail and continued on seamlessly to Kokosing Gap. This connector now goes under S. Main Street Bridge.
We rode this trail in September 2022 when we were in the area. Also that day rode Heart of Ohio Trail. Picked up Kokosing Gap in Mt Vernon via the connector trail from Ariel Foundation Park. Always enjoy a nice ride on this trail while in the area. Asphalt paved and very good condition.
Traveling almost 3 hours to get to, worth the drive. Enjoyed the ride and time spent in Mt. Vernon. We biked from Mt. Vernon to Mt. Liberty and back and also the Kokosing Gap trail while in the area. Heart of Ohio Trail is quiet and in good condition. Mostly shaded but there are some open farmlands areas. In Mt. Vernon we spent time at the Trailhead in Ariel Foundation Park and also biked up to the Dog Fountain a few blocks away. The new connector path under the bridge is open connecting with Kokosing Gap trail instead of trying to cross the 4 lane busy street.
Easy ride . Wasn’t too amused with the sites of housing developments but it’s the location . Some adorable steers in the farmland area made the ride worth it .
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