Explore the best rated trails in Sarahsville, OH, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the North Bend Rail Trail and Athens-Belpre Rail Trail . With more than 22 trails covering 3930 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.
The lower section below rock cut rd is now paved to Ellis Dam. There is also a section in town that goes by the river, it isn’t highlighted on the map, but the name is there if you zoom in.
We were passing through the area and looking for a trail to ride for a couple of hours. The Brooke Pioneer trail was nice. For the mostpart away from roads with the Ohio River to the west. It merged into the Wheeling Heritage Trail seamlessly. IMO its not a destination trail but very nice for a 25 mile ride RT while in the area. We didn't do all of the Wheeling Heritage trail due to time limits but enjoyed what we did. (We raced a tugboat pushing a barge upstream and won!) (bragging rights - no prizes)
I took the trail during the last week in August, starting at the west end. It was trashy under the first bridge just at the beginning, but otherwise the trail was fine. I didn't have any problem seeing the chain link fence.
Views of the Basket Building are best going west, especially when even with the white-roofed greenhouses. Longaberger Basket closed in 2018 and it is now empty.
I could not find the parking lot on the west end as mentioned when I was on the corner of E Main St and S Morris St. I ended up parking at the St Vincent De Paul Thrift Store with permission. If one is going to do the whole route, there is better and obvious parking about midway at Marne and Licking Valley Rd NE as mentioned by others. There is a bike fix-it station less than a minute's ride from that parking lot at the trail side of the church. This would be a good place for a port a pot, since there are no restrooms along the way. The east end doesn't have parking either where the trail just ends.
There are a couple fast food restaurants and a convenience store off the path a couple miles from the west end. Some are at the bottom of a hill, so keep in mind you have to go back up the hill to get on the trail again.
Overall a good trail for the area.
My brother and myself rode this trail on July 23-24. We started at the Nelsonville Train Station where there is plenty of parking. Took many pictures of railroad cars and there was an active train that added to the fun. Note: The train station was not open and there are limited times so check the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway website. The day was very warm; one thing - there is plenty of shade on this trail until you get to Ohio University where it opens up. The trail is well paved and maintained. Early in the trip, we passed Hocking College and Robbins Crossing Historical Village. From my understanding, the village is open only on weekends. You can still walk around the buildings. A little after the Beaumont-Salina trailhead, we came across a beautiful image painted on a side of a shed (one part is a blue train engine labeled as Conrail Quality) - we stumbled across this riding off the trail just a bit. Next was the town of The Plains. Home of Joe Burrow. You can find his field a little off the trail. We had a great meal and service at the Eclipse Company Store. Both had one of their specialty beers. Ohio University will be next with a golf course right there as well. There are some community gardens that follow. The trail will continue for a few more miles and then ends at S Canaan Rd. The last few miles it runs parallel to a highway and there is not much to see. We had a nice few days staying in Nelsonville at the Primrose B&B. We had wondered where the word HockHocking originated. The Delaware Indians named the river Hockhocking (after which it was changed to Hocking). The word means 'a bottle' in their tongue and was derived from the fact there is a waterfall about 6 miles north of the city of Lancaster. The stream is straight and narrow above these falls but then swells like a bottle below them. Found this in a book where we had stayed at.
did this trail for the first time ever July 23/24. Had a fantastic time riding a well-shaded trail for the most part. It is open once you get to Athens and to S.Canaan rd (end point). Lots of things to see both historically and otherwise. We started in Nelsonville at the western trailhead by the Railroad Station. Plenty of pictures to be had if you are a railroad enthusiast. You can ride the high school connector by The Eclipse restaurant in The Plains and go see the Joe Burrow stadium (about 9/10 of a mile). But DON'T pass this place up. Stop and eat and grab one of the 32 draft craft beers. You won't be disappointed. About the only thing that needs some clarification is the mileage markers. It is a little confusing once you get to Athens and where they added the additional trail to the original 18 miles. I heard that there is plans (in the making) of connecting the Moonville Rail Trail up to Athens and the Athens-Belpre trail. That may be ambitious and I don't know if I'll be around to see it. However, that would be great if it happened.
Really enjoyed this trail. We were thankful for all the shade since it was in the 90's. We stayed at the Lodge of Hocking College which was on the trail in Nelsonville. Highly recommend.
We traveled 100 miles to this trail and really not impressed at all. Reading from the other reviews I maybe expected more. Though it is a nice scenic trail, there are a lot of trails out there that are nicer and more scenic. There really isn't much to see. We parked at M/M 6 in Scio. Traveled east to Jewett at mile marker 11. One covered bridge, zero shade on this section. It was a hot sunny day. Too hot, too sunny. Not much in Jewett. The trail grass was well taken of, recently cut and there are trash cans along which appeared to be regularly emptied. Coming back into Scio we refilled our water bottles and headed the other direction, West to Bowerston. A few more covered bridges and maybe 5% shade cover. Not much to see along this section either. There was quite a bit of noise coming from some industrial sites just off the trail. I think there are some well traveled roads near the trail and not many trees to muffle the sound. Checked this one off the list, worth riding once but not a do-over.
7 mile trail that is very straight, very flat with sections of shade and sun. There are a handful of roads that cross the trail so stops are at a minimal. There are several structures and benches to stop and relax at. The first part of the trail runs between a swamp and later the Leatherwood Creek with the back end running along OH State Route 265. There is a good size park at mile 6 that has some parking. The trail dead ends at mile 7 with no access for vehicles. There appears to be room for expansion beyond mile 7 someday.
TraiI is CLOSED. I wanted to go on the trail on June 12, 2025 but the trail and road in Toboso were closed for major construction. I don't know for how long. Best to verify that is it open before making the effort to go into the park. It loos amazing, so I will return someday.
So well maintained. Mostly friendly people along the way. Beautiful scenery. Definitely worth the visit.
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