Explore the best rated trails in Zanesville, 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 43 trails covering 4335 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.
Wide enough to ride side-by-side with my son on our recumbents in most areas. Evidence of a lot of expensive repair work along the river through an eroded area. Trail is tree, cliff and river lined - beautiful even in January. Would be nice for biking or walking. Was disappointed when we returned to the parking lot - I wanted to keep going! :-)
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.
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.
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.
We've been riding this trail annually, with the exception of 2021, traveling almost 3 hours to get to, for the past 8 years or so. What once was a lovely quiet trail with a few Amish horse and buggies and some cyclists, has now become a drag strip for eBikers. Apparently the eBike is now the main means of transportation preferred by local folks and with the speed limit of 20mph on the trail, it's one zooming by after another which doesn't seem to be monitored and some going even faster. The trail like a drag strip, since it's flat and out in the open. The trail is, and always was, the Amish turnpike allowing locals to travel throughout the area to work and stores. Our last visit here was in 2020 and it wasn't like this back then.
Also noticed with increased traffic, the trail seems to need some maintenance. Surface isn't as smooth as it was. There are separate lanes for bicycles and buggies but noticed no one seems to pay attention and just go wherever they want to go. There is horse manure on both sides. And if you're in the bike lane, manually pedaling at 11-12 mph, and a group of locals on eBikes wants to pass, they may go into the buggy lane. Have noticed also that when you see one there are more than likely a group of 3, 4 and more, realizing they are commuting to work or the store. This trail is great for the local community but if you are looking for a nice quiet bike ride, move on.
New to all this bike trail stuff, but if this isn’t the nicest trail in Ohio then we’re in for a special treat. My wife and I went from Mt. Vernon to Danville, holy cow it was just breathtaking. I’ve read several reviews for this trail, one person said people weren’t friendly, wrong, we talked with three couples and everyone was very friendly. One other person said her son lost his phone… how’s that the trails fault? Tell your kid to not loose their phone.
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