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Next time I will start at Scioto Trails Group Home Area parking Lot and go toward Washington Courthouse. In the woods and quiet, and was a lot more pleasant than along the highway and going into Chillicothe.
I parked at the school close to US 40 and rode the trail out and back in June. It passed farmland on the southern end and residential and businesses on the northern end, crossing several bridges and some streets. The trail was in fairly good shape. There is a bike fix-it station by the historic National Road Station. There are no restroom/port a pots available. I would encourage the park to put at least a port a pot near the southern end, but maybe it has been tried. A good trail for the area and probably a good training trail since there is a high school at each end.
My brother and myself rode this trail on 7/25/25. A lot of nice things can be said about the time we had. We did this trail in 2 segments (from the Moonville Trailhead to Mineral which is 4 miles and then from Zaleski to Moonville which is 5 miles). Pretty primitive, little or no cell service and you are in the Zaleski State Forest. For the entire day, we saw 1 other biker (and he was as stunned as we were to see someone) and a lady with her kids playing in the creek. Finding the Moonville Trailhead parking lot was an experience. Google Maps took us down a road called Buck Lane (which down a bit becomes Hope-Moonville Road). At the top and on the left, is Uncle Buck's Riding Stable and Dance Barn and across the road is the Ferguson Cemetery. I would strongly advise not to start down this gravel road. It is one lane and as once you start you cannot change. Look for an alternate route. There are sheer drops of over couple hundred feet on the right. You will literally crawl down this road (5 mph) and if someone was coming up there is no room to go around. Once we made it to the trailhead, we noticed a sign stating the trail is closed going west as a few bridges (#4 and #5) are out. We did ride to see how far this was and it was within a few minutes (note: between the 2 bridges would be MM5). Also, something we did not know was that the Moonville Cemetery was nearby. We needed to walk up the road that we came down a little to find it. We wish we saw it but we did not see any signs indicating it was around. Riding east was a lot of fun as there is enough to see. You will cross over Raccoon Creek (bridge #6). In less than a mile, you will see the Moonville Tunnel. Built in 1856, there are stories that say it is haunted. We always enjoy taking pictures of tunnels from both the outside and inside as well as when leave them too. Bridges 7 and 8 will take you over the Hewett Fork Creek (at this point you are at MM6). There is a beautiful marsh area next and as you ride you will see some of the old railroad telegraph poles. Also, at various points you will see old wooden railroad crossing signs with the wording Moonville Rail Trail which is a nice touch for the trail. Next will be Ingham Station. There is an information board explaining the history of this coal mining settlement that started in 1856. Like Moonville, it is a ghost town now. Near MM7, you will be at Sickles Preserve. Bridges 10, 11, and 12 will take you over the Hewett Fork Creek again. The King's Hollow Tunnel (aka the King Switch Tunnel) will be next (near MM8). Built in 1855, this tunnel looks like an old mine shaft as it is wooden and narrow too. Bit muddy inside and is longer than the Moonville Tunnel. Kind of amazing a train went through it. The trail ends in about another mile in the town of Mineral (Route 356 - Scott St 1229 Waterloo Twp). When we did cross route 356, a trail still appeared and we were able to ride it for about 2 miles. There was a beautiful small lake that will appear on the right, we saw an old abandoned home, and a structure called The Itty Biddy Beach Bar (probably named as Biddyville Road is nearby), a few picnic tables and canoes too. When we returned to the Moonville Trailhead, we were fortunate that someone was there and told us how to get out without going back up Buck Lane. (Hope-Moonville Road - Shea Road - Wheelabout Rd) got us to Route 278 where we took some beautiful pictures of Lake Hope at the state park. The Hope Iron Furnace is nearby but we did not check it out.
The Zaleski trailhead is on Commercial Street (route 278). Nearby is the Moonville Market which is where we got a great map of the trail. Nice little place to walk into as well. The trail from Zaleski to where the bridges are out in Moonville (MM5) is mainly grass with small and large gravel. Definitely more primitive than the other section we rode on. It was more of a challenge for my hybrid. This section has some open areas and is very pretty as well. About 3.5 miles into the trip you will see the Hope Schoolhouse Welcome Center. It is open on Saturdays (10-4) and Sundays (10-2) from March to October from what we found out. It would have been nice to check it out but it was closed on the day we were there. The schoolhouse was constructed back in 1883. In another mile (4.5 total now) will be a historical marker about the Raccoon Creek Bridge. Our trip ended shortly after that as we were near where we had started earlier.
This trail has a lot of variety. It is amazing all that was going on around this area along with a train passing through. A lot of history here. Now these are ghost towns. It would be nice to ride this in the Fall. Definitely worth a return trip. Also, to check out anything that is occurring locally as well.
At no part was the trail paved.. started at the schoolhouse, didn’t know there was a trailhead at the beginning of the trail in Zaleski (think I spelled that right) but the rail was maintained well but it was just tracks of a vehicle that you ride on.. packed gravel on the most part.. rode to the other end.. didn’t see the “little” detour sign.. and soon was ridding in overgrowth., rode that u til the bridge was out.. turned around and had to take the detour up a gravel road.. very hilly.. steep hills at that.. got back on the trail.. that trail was nice.. very packed gravel.. went though the 2 tunnels.. very nice.. It was a good ride.. marking could be I Proved on.. with the detour was about a 20 mile round trip all in all.. had lots of fun on it.. Grandson went with m.. can’t give this trail 5 stars.. needs some improvements.. but I enjoyed
This was an awesome ride.. I did a total of 63 miles of this trail.. trail could use some better markings along the way.. I started at Washington court.. rode though a nice park, but then had to go through an industrial park to get to the trial.. TrailLink did not show another trailhead on it's map that would have saved me about 2 miles going though that industrial park..
It was a very hot day that day.. but mostly the trail was covered in trees, there are a lot of areas or stretch's of trail that are out in open country and hardly any trees to take advantage of shade.. on that hot day, it was kind of rough to get through that area... lots of country side to see.. some of the trial got rough due to braking up of the pavement.. but still wasn't too bad.. road all the way down to Chillicothe, ate at a restaurant called "Sumburger".. cooled off there for a couple of hours (It was really hot out there) people in there was very nice.. they do have charging plugs in there to recharge you phone or battery if you have an e-bike.. thought that was cool...
All in all it was a great ride.. planning to head back there this fall when the fall colors are in..
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.
Wow! After reading previous reviews of cinder, grass and ping pong size gravel, I wondered what I was getting into. I don't like gravel and bumpy rides. Others can ride unpaved trails if they desire, but I prefer smooth trails. What a pleasant and welcome surprise to see that the trail has a surface of asphalt. I didn't see any cracks or problems, so it must be fairly new. It is an easy straight ride out and back. It goes along the canal and farmlands, and is mostly covered with a canopy of trees. The covered bridge was another little surprise.
Rode from Hope Schoolhouse to past King Hollow Tunnel. The section between Hope School and the first road crossing is mostly grass, but wasn’t a problem on fat tire e-bike. At the crossing you have to take the road to Moonville since bridges aren’t in yet, but once you reach Moonville it’s an easy ride. The road wasn’t bad either I didn’t pass any cars and only a few hills, but I’d give it 5 stars if it was finished. Also a visitors center at the schoolhouse that’s open on weekends.
So well maintained. Mostly friendly people along the way. Beautiful scenery. Definitely worth the visit.
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