Explore the best rated trails in Vandalia, OH. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Great-Little Trail and Mad River Trail . With more than 47 trails covering 4576 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 note that the reviews tend to focus on the Richmond end of the trail. My wife and I decided to check out the northwest segment of the Cardinal Greenway beyond the gap north of Muncie—Jonesboro through Marion. The CG ends just west of Marion but flows seemlessly into the Sweetser Switch Trail and then into the Converse Junction for a total of almost of 18 miles each way.
We decided to stay the night in Marion as a home base and found a B&B called Beatrice The Villa run by a charming Italian couple who also have a superb Italian restaraunt on premises. Marion itself has a rustbelt vibe, but we felt safe and were just 4-5 blocks from the trail with entrances on 9th or 10th street. The trail itself is beautiful and wooded in Marion thru Jonesboro—that was our evening trip—south to the Jonesboro Trailhead and back. There was really only one bad crossing at US 35. The rest either have trestles over roads or are lightly traveled. I dinged the trail one start because at 24 years of age, there are quite a few cracks and bumps that need work in Marion. On Day 2 we did Marion to Converse and back, about a 24 mile round trip. That's more varied with both woods and fields (corn & beans) with lots of wildflowers and birds and a couple of covered bridges. It's worth noting that the Converse Junction now extends into Converse to the main district where you can get ice cream, burgers, beer, BBQ, Pizza from various establishments (fewer options on Sunday).
As you may be aware, The Great American Rail Trail uses the Cardinal Greenway for a major chunk of its route through eastern Indiana. According to a local rider, the trail supporters lost a Supreme Court case with farmers over trail, so they are looking at going through Gas City and Upland to get to the southern segment of the CG. From Converse, a tiny but cute Indiana town with a nice BBQ restaurant, plans are to connect up with the Nickleplate Trail over near US 31 about 16 miles west.
Overall we had a really nice time and would consider doing it again. The B&B was a highlight and perfect for easy access to the trail. Trail condition in Marion needs some work and there's a surprising lack of toilet facilities west of Marion and the Sweetser public toilet was locked. Otherwise it's a 5 star ride.
My wife and I rode this trail on Labor Day and it was fantastic. We began at the train station in Trotwood and rode to Verona and back - just over 24 miles round trip. The trail has many farms, a few parks and very peaceful. Brookville is charming and is about the half-way point. We only passed a few riders and joggers. It was a great ride!
Nice mix of rural, suburban and city riding. Wide asphalt and lots of leafy cover. Nice bike lane in Xenia and good ice cream in Spring Valley. However, there are dozens of road crossings both city and rural where cross traffic does not stop or yield. The street/ road crossings are also very rough and you'll be on the brakes often.
A very pleasant & relaxing ride in the shade. It’s not super long but if you supplement it by riding around Coldwater and also adding the very beautiful Westbank trail in Celina, it makes for a wonderful little ride. There’s a couple of benches along the path, but they’re all in spots where there’s no shade which I found really odd. Hey, let’s take a break right here in the beating hot sun. Dumb
Beautiful little ride that follows the western shoreline of grand lake. It’s short but if you tag on the Celina/Coldwater trail, which is really close by, it makes for a really sweet ride.
Went 38 miles round trip from Tingler Road trail head near Chester to Losantville. Road on a beautiful mid-August weekday, mostly in the shade of the trees lining the route. Asphalt surface was in great condition with no tree root issues. The trail was lightly used that day. During the ride we encountered 24 cyclists (4 on e-bikes), 4 walkers, and 2 squirrels. The lack of wildlife was a little surprising but the trail runs in a narrow strip of trees with cornfields and highways bordering it
I rode the trail today from Bowlusville to just north of Urbana. It was a sunny morning with temps in the upper 70s to low 80s. I parked at the Access Point at 580 West County Line Rd. which had a shelter and a port-a-pottty. Several other folks parked in the same lot, but it was never full. I rode the trail from Springfield to Bowlusville a couple of weeks ago.
The trail from Springfield to Urbana is paved and, for most of the distance, has a tree canopy to provide shade and block the wind. When I got north of Urbana it changed to chip seal and there was no tree cover. The surface was noticeably rougher but still tolerable with 28 mm tires at 60-70 psi. Between the chip seal and the sun, it's a different experience.
Two other notes for potential riders:
1. The trail seems a little shorter than the advertised 35.5 miles. The official description states that Bellefontaine to Urbana is 16 miles. Based on my rides, I'd say Urbana to Bowlusville is 7 miles and Bowlusville to Springfield is 9.5 miles. That's three miles shorter than the overall claimed distance. Maybe they included the 6-mile Buck Creek Trail in the claimed distance for the Simon Kenton Trail or maybe my numbers are off.
2. Going southbound into Springfield the connection to the Little Miami Trail is difficult to detect. If you recall to turn left at South Center Street at the end of the Simon Kenton Trail, you will make the connection, but there is no sign there if you don't remember. Going northbound from the Little Miami Trail, there is a sign that directs you to the left on South Center Street to make the connection with the Simon Kenton Trail.
The trail is as beautiful as advertised. I have ridden it many times from both the Newtown, Milford, and Loveland, Ohio trailheads. Access is very easy. Lots of shops and restaurants in Loveland right along the trail. In October, 2022, the trail connector from the Newton, Ohio trailhead south to the Lunken Airport and Armleder trails was officially opened. Cyclists can now park at the airport terminal and access the trail which runs in front of the terminal, or, get on River Road and ride into downtown Cincinnati along the river.
This is a beautiful place to take a bike ride. I would just be careful if you go after it has rained. The moss on the trail is very slippery.
Great trail but if you’re not a local, finding a place to jump on the trail can be tricky. Recommend Loveland. Would be great to have more hotels nearby the trail. Something to aspire to!
The Whitewater Gorge Trail is actually 1.8 miles long. The other reviews accurately describe it with part of it being very smooth and part of it being very rough. However, the scenery is nice and definitely worth a ride. If the trail would be maintained better, it could easily be a five star trail and a fantastic addition to the Cardinal Greenway.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
