This trail is pleasant with some really nice views. Depending on where you start riding expect some moderate to severe hills. If you aren’t familiar with the area the trail might be a little confusing, just watch for signs.

The trail North of Dayton to Piqua was frustrating for the first timer due to lack of trail markers. The town of Troy was the most confusing and is very very poorly marked. Compared to other local trials it has very little amenities and It’s hard to find water or restrooms My only other observation of this trail is that it doesn’t mark any road hazards. So beware of Tree roots small curbs and severe cracks for example. The beauty of the trail makes up for a lot this. This trail feels like you are riding multiple trials in a day due to its changing scenery with its calming river views and interesting city scapes.

My wife and I are wanting to be outside and get some exercise. Riding this trail does the trick. Not to hilly but enough of a challenge for us. You ride through some nice woods and several fields. I think we saw about 25 rabbits on the trail last night. We also saw a turkey earlier this week. I should add that we are starting around 7pm so the trail is not to busy but it is still being used by lots of people. It is very clean and as I said a good ride.

This refers to a ride on August 15 from Chillicothe going northwest. The bridge repairs have been completed and the padlock on the bridge has been removed. The trail is now open from one end to the other with a slight detour into the grass where the washout occurred just south of Frankfort.

I parked at the Wilbeth Road lot, and from the suggestion of a local, turned left, towards the 40.4 mile marker.
First mile or so is paved, then turns into small crushed stone. A level and flat trail. A couple small inclines by the underpasses. The bridges that pass over the canalway are in excellent condition and give even more variety to run/bike on.
A little bit of trash along the sides for the first mile or so, but once I got up to the next parking lot, and onwards, the trail is excellent.
The trail is marked every mile, definitely a plus as well.
This trail really deserves a 4.5, and if I had started at the next parking lot and missed the trash, it would deserve a 5.
So, as always, if in the area and want to get a couple miles in, head here.
You should also enjoy your run or bike.

This refers to a trip on August 8, 2020 that started from Gardner Athletic Field in Washington Court House and proceeded south-east along the Paint Creek Recreation Trail as far as was possible. About 24 miles south of Washington Court House, the southbound trail was partially blocked by a temporary fence. I walked around this fence and then rode over one bridge and then a second bridge. On the southeastern side of this second bridge the trail was blocked by a 4-foot high, padlocked fence. The lock was apparently installed to prevent northbound users from accessing the bridge I just crossed. Main point: the trail is closed for maintenance about 24 miles southeast of Washington Court House between Musselman and Anderson.

If you were starting in Chilicothe, you should be able to ride about 10 miles before you'd be forced to turn around.

Other than that, it was a beautiful day for bike ride. Much of the trail is shaded. While there are a few bumps on the paved trail due to root incursions, they are scattered over the length of the trail. The worst ones have been spray painted white to draw your attention. Although not crowded there were a few other riders, joggers and walkers enjoying the trail.

Bellefontaine-Urbana Completed this portion with my daughter. The tar and chip was much nicer than I expected. (Fine chip and well compacted). Only bad part was a stretch with deer flies.

I ride this trail EVERY morning from the Hempstead Station entrance to the trails end about .66 miles south of Whipp Rd.... and then back! It's a great workout that's safe and clean!! Love it!!!

We have ridden quite a few of the long rail-trails (GAP/C&O, Katy, Couer d'Alene, Chief Ladiga/Silver Comet, White Pines, Pine Creek, Greenbrier, Northbend) and The OTET is unmatched for the variety of things to see and do along the way. The landscapes vary from the lake to the industrial history of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, The Towpath, Amish country, Columbus, the soybean and cornfields of western Ohio, the Little Miami River and Downtown Cincinnati.

The trail will be finished next year in Cleveland and there will be only a small road section on W25th and Franklin. Then its path all the way to Dalton (once the temporary construction of the CSO project in Akron is complete and the trail restored and the detour removed). The 17 miles on the back country roads between Dalton and Fredericksburg were pleasant with very little traffic. Same with the 10 mile section between Centerburg and Sunbury. The Downtown Connector Trail between Alum Creek and the Scioto River had its interesting moments but wasn't bad (but it wasn't rush hour when we did it). The Camp Chase Trail is temporarily rerouted along Wilson Rd but pay attention to the detour signs so you don't get off track. Only other section that was a little rough was Just east of Cincy on Wooster Pike - rough road, and fast moving traffic that doesn't like to give you 3'. But its only a couple miles.

All in all a wonderful trip. We took 4 days to do it but we had ridden most of the sections in the last few years so were less compelled to stop. If this is your first or only time take a few extra days, make a lot of stops and enjoy all this route has to offer.