Find the top rated birding trails in Columbus, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Excellent trail. We parked at the Pickerington Ponds Park trailhead. There are bathrooms there with running water/sewer even though the map doesn't show it. Plenty of parking and nice park in its own right. The trail starts right at the parking lot. If I had one complaint, there could be more pronounced maps and signs along the trail. We missed the trail towards 3 Creeks Park and continued northeast through Portman Park and up Hines Road.
Note: The map shows a break in the pavement for about 200 yards or so just south of Refugee road. It's pavement straight through now.
The section along Hines Road up to Trussing is OK, but the trail is a modified sidewalk along the road, and the road is loud and busy, and crossing the side streets can be concerning. I realized we were going the wrong way when we got to Trussing Rd. and we turned around. Backtracking we saw the sign we missed and got back on course.
The segment starting where the path leaves Hines Road, to the Three Creeks Park trailhead, is fantastic. There is lots of shade. The trail passes a lot of nice parks and things. We saw deer along the trail. The trail goes over or under many busy roads that we would otherwise have to cross. The uphill's and downhills are gradual. All and all this is a great trail. We will definitely come back.
From Xenia Station to Octa and back, it is a smooth trail and relatively flat. The consistent tree canopy provides shade from the sun just when you need it (although the tree debris creates some hazards). The majority of the trail is in Greene County and well-maintained. The portion in Fayette County has some overgrowth along the sides. Overall, it was a beautiful day to ride!
Fun variety of beautiful views. Trail was clean but could have had better markers in a few locations. Had to consult map several times.
Watch out for mud over the trail at the river just south of the Greenlawn Avenue bridge near Lou Berliner Park.
My husband and I walked this beginning to end and back in 48 mins. Not bad for my husband with a bad knee and hip plus we are both bariatric patients
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.
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.
This trail is fantastic and an easy day ride. I would not venture any farther north than the Hartman Rock Garden, which I would recommend seeing. That’s because the trail is dangerous in Springfield. It’s scary, goes through a rough part of town, with loose dogs, shady characters and “call 911” painted along the trail for good reason. Heading south from the rock garden is a joy with many sights along the way. This is one of my favorite rides in Ohio so far.
Went from Three Creeks Metropark to Westerville for an overnight. Trail was fun as it had a bit of everything!!
The southern part of the trail that starts at the Spindler Road Parking Complex or Dog Park has plenty of parking. From Spindler North to Franks Park the trail is gravel, and not great for road bikes. A lot of locals run, walk, or ride causal bikes on this part of the trail. If there is a heavy rain sections will have puddles. There are a few water features along the route which can be active with ducks, geese, and other birds. Franks Park has a parking lot as well.
From Franks Park North, the trail is asphalt. Until you reach Hilliard Rome Road. This section is more of a wide sidewalk than a multi-use trail. Once you reach Colonial Park Condos and turn into the Hilliard Municipal Park, it becomes asphalt again. There is a cross walk with lights on Scioto Darby and drives tend to respect as there is a lot of traffic here. The trail ends at the Heritage Trail, which can take you to Old Hilliard or out towards Plain City Ohio. The Hilliard Municipal Park has plenty of parking and also has trails for running and casual trail riding.
I ride this trail 10-15 a year at minimum and have road it a few times in 2025 already and trail is in decent shape. Great for runners and casual riding. I don't recommend Road Bikes south of Franks Park.
There is a project going on at the Municipal Park that may extend the trail West and another project that may extend the trail further south.
I’ve ridden this trail down to Xenia and back last summer and it was nice for the most part. This year I noticed a bit more unmarked large bumps and aggressive erosion alongside the creek. Currently the bridge to cross Buck Creek is closed and I’ve not come across anything indicating it will be fixed. Although the bridge appeared to be sturdy enough to support a walk, my boyfriend and I found an alternate route by car. Biking on Croft road did not feel safe to me but, other bikers accepted the unmarked detour. untilyou a
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