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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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.
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
Loved the trail - only did Xenia to Yellow Springs and back, in conjunction with one of the connector trails. Signs use trail numbers vs names, which we didn’t realize until we were on trail… Also, not clear signage at key intersections where trails intersect or turn. Won’t be a problem if you’re expecting/prepared for it, but not as clear and user friendly as many other top tier rail trails we’ve ridden.
Ok section, kind of dull. Agriculture & cows. Found a bit of shade by a grain elevator for lunch. Several washouts filled with tumbleweeds as you get closer to Lind.
We love to explore these trails on bicycles, it is has many spots to rest and plenty of beautiful to relax and take in the landscape. We love to pack a lunch and make a day of it. The trail is fairly easy to navigate, a few spots wind on and off the roadway,but no heavy traffic. ( Follow the signs)I would recommend packing your sunscreen,extra water and a light jacket. Very peaceful and relaxing, and great exercise.
We started at the Danville in trailhead & rode west into downtown Mt. Vernon, & back. Scenic, especially since we were surrounded by fall colors. Wasn't much traffic ( Tuesday morning) but it was busier near Gambier ( Kenyon College)..
The trail itself is exceptional since it was recently repaved. The only drawback is getting to the trail from Xenia Station, busy intersection to get through and ride along the street to get to the trail itself. Once on the trail it is a beautiful ride, slight incline most of the way east, coming back is a lot of fun. There are rest area opportunities spread out along the trail and there are restaurants in Xenia and Jamestown. If you’re not a fan of crossing roads, this may not be for you, about every mile, you will cross a road, most of them are not that busy, but a couple are. Enjoy the ride, we thought it was a great ride.
Beautiful trail with lots of different views, wooded to open farmland. Creeks and hills, with alot of fall foliage. We'll maintained, nice trailheads, with restrooms and picnic tables and benches.
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