Find the top rated bike trails in Florence, whether you're looking for an easy short bike trail or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a bike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Two years ago I rode what is considered Phase 1 and 2 of the Hamilton Beltline Recreational Trail which runs west to east from Eaton Avenue to North B Street. I returned this year because I had read somewhere that a new phase of this trail had opened.
Once again I started from the center of the trail by parking in Jim Grimm Park. I rode east from this park toward the Great Miami River. Over the next half mile you descend about 50 feet in elevation until you reach North B Street. When you reach B Street, you will see the Grand Miami River and the Hamilton Electric Production power plant on the river's far side. As you come up to North B Street there are two signs – a stop sign and an End Bike Route sign. There is no indication that there is any additional part of the trail nearby and no sign indicating how you could connect to the Great Miami River Trail on the other side of the river. The last time I rode this trail, I noted to myself that the sidewalk along B Street was doubly-wide and might have been intended as a trail extension. However, I did not choose to investigate that possibility at that time. This time would be different because I wanted to see how easily I could connect to the Great Miami River Trail located on the east side of the river.
So I turned right, and rode down this wide sidewalk along B Street toward the Main Street Bridge. Many of the buildings here used to be part of the Champion Paper Mill upon whose rail corridors the Hamilton Beltline Recreational Trail is being built. Many of the Mill's buildings have been repurposed into other businesses such as a hotel, a conference center, a restaurant, a sporting goods store, a gym & training center, and an indoor sports complex. As I came to the end of the Champion Mill building there was a parking lot between it and the Great Miami Rowing Center Boat House. Once again I could see the Great Miami River, but on the other side of the Boat House parking lot, for the first time, I saw a trail. I cut across B Street and through the parking lot to get onto that trail. I continued toward Main Street on this trail segment, which in turn, gave me access to the Main Street Bridge and the ability to connect to the Great Miami River Trail. Later, upon my return to the west side of the river, I would ride this section of trail in its entirety. It ran behind all of the buildings on the river side of B Street from the Main Street Bridge to the Black Street Bridge. Again, let me emphasize that there are no signs indicating that this part of the "Beltline" exists either on the Great Miami River Trail on the east side of the river or on the portion of the "Beltline" that runs between Eaton Avenue and North B. Street. I think that there should a signs on both sides of the Great Miami River near the Main Street indicating that you can connect to another trail on the other side of the river. I also think that the gap between where the trail ends at B Street and where it picks up again at the Black Street Bridge needs to be connected by an additional trail section. The satellite view on Google Earth seems to indicate that the old rail bed still exists between these two segment end points. Filling this 4/10ths of a mile gap would eliminate the need for signs to help trail users to navigate this current gap.
I look forward to coming back to ride this trail again in the future, once Phase 4 of the trail from Eaton Avenue to Main Street is completed.
We stayed in Yellow Springs. Very quaint small town. Variety of restaurants and main street lined with shops. We biked from Yellow Springs to Springfield and back. Approx 20 mile round trip. The trail was well shaded and beyond the trees along the trail were farmlands and rural area. A few road crossings. Paved trail surface in very good condition and the grass was mowed along the trail. June, 2026.
I only recommend the 2 1/2 mile section from the Great Miami Trail to the Medler Conservation Area. There is a climb made somewhat easier by the switchbacks but the scenery is worth the effort. You will pass through woods and meadows. Medler offers a nice place to rest and refresh. Coming back down is a blast. We add this trail on to our ride from Franklin to Miamisburg.
I really enjoyed cycling this trail. It has some tough hills but the reward is long descents. Mostly shaded. There is a some road time but traffic is light and the roads are nicely paved. Because it is within a state park, speed limits were low and drivers were considerate. The trails are well maintained and the pavement is in good condition. Watch out for horse manure.
Great paved surface and well kept. I like that it is a loop and shows you some really cool sights of the airport.
I rode the trail in late October. In the northern section, much dead brush, grass and limbs were on the windy path that went through the wooded area. Some tree roots were pushing up the asphalt and much of fence that separated the trail from the businesses was broken. After I crossed the street, I saw more trash on the southern part. The trail ended at the bottom of the stairs that led to the street. It was Autumn so I expected leaves and such, but the trash needs to get removed. Hopefully a work day to clean up the brush and trash is being planned, since it sure needed it.
Not bad of a trail for a short ride or a stroll, if it could be kept up better. Probably like most trails, time, workers, volunteers, and money are in short supply.
The southern section is fine along Mill Creek and Salway Park. It then seemed to dead end at a fence by a business but where the red line on TrailLink said the trail was located and should continue. The red line needs to move to the sidewalk along William P Dooley Bypass/Spring Grove Ave. I crossed that road about 2:45, just biking fast when I saw a break in traffic. It would be better to have a cross walk signal of some sort. At rush hour it would be terrible in my opinion. There was only about 3/10's (guessing) on the other side of the road until the trail ended. This 2-mile or so trail was kept up better than the northern section. Any trail is better than none, so it is good for the area.
I started in Trenton and rode to Piqua, spent the night there and road back the next day.. my trip north.. it was good until I got to Dayton.. somehow I didn't quite get on the right trail, I run two apps on my phone so as I was confused, I used my GPS for help.. it took me through a neighbor hood I wouldn't travel in at night.. but after I while my GPS put me back on the trail.. sort of the same thing in Troy but not as bad.. the trails go be better marked.. I really started likeing the trail more once I got through Troy.. very beautiful are.. and it was a great ride.. 69.28 miles one way.. I was very tired and very sore at the end of my ride and slept very well that night LOL.. on the way back south.. I found the trail somewhat better marked and easier to follow especailly though Troy and Dayton..
got down to Franklin.. and seen 4 to 5 American Bald Eagals.. what an awesome sight.. sadly by the time I got my camera out, all but one had flown off.. I was disapointed.. I waited around, hoping they'd come back.. but the didn't.. not while I was there.. I had to leave, it would be getting dark on me sooner than I like..
All and all.. it was a great ride.. very tired and sore but it was worth it.. I will probably do this ride again maybe next year... but got a lot other trails to ride before coming back to this one.. :)
Incredible find. Beautiful trail. We parked in Tipp City and started on mile 3 in the city park. Rode to Troy where trail splits but actually takes a left turn to historic downtown Troy (sign). Then in Troy trail splits again by river and to continue on to Pique you must stay on the right. Not under bridge but over it. There signs will show GMRT to continue on to Pique. (We follow trail going by Treasure Island. ). Trail ends at Lock 9 in Piqua. You are right downtown. Ate at Crooked Handle which is off trail.
We spent the weekend riding the trail from The Lunken Airport segment to the village of Morrow. This is a fantastic trail. It is well maintained and well marked. It has lots of things to see and do. There are many places along the trail to stop and get lunch.
We got on the trail at Milford. It was a Saturday morning and parking was full. A sign indicated more parking across the bridge and we parked in a city lot between Main and Water streets. I recommend scouting out parking before going to Milford. We first rode towards the Ohio River. There are many parks and things to do along the way. It looked like Fifty West Brewing (a restaurant/tavern along the trail) was hosting a bike event that day, we saw several hundred bikers there registering for something. Later 2 people wearing pinned on race numbers said the 2025 Tour de CROWN event was going on. That explained the many people with numbers on the trail throughout the morning. Just down the trail at Bass park, we saw some people Lawn Bowling and stopped to watch. A couple heard us arguing if it was Lawn Bowling or Bocci-ball, and came over and explained what we were looking at. Interesting. We watched for a while and headed on. We circled Lunken airport and headed back. We stopped for lunch back in Milford, eating at the Little Miami Brewing Company, sitting outside right along the river. The place was packed. Lots of Kayakers were eating there; they parked their Kayaks along the river and came up. There are also other nice places to eat in Milford.
After lunch, we rode the trail from Milford towards Miamiville. This segment of the trail is more shaded. Even though the trail is in an urban area, it seemed like we were in a more secluded setting. The trees and vegetation block out the city buildings. Not as much going on, but a very pleasant ride. We turned around in Miamiville and headed back to Milford.
On Sunday we got on the trail at Loveland. Parking was filling up but not full. Like Milford, research parking before going to Loveland. We followed the trail to the north through Kings Mill and South Lebanon, turning around in Morrow. The trail was more rural in this section, but still there are lots of parks along the trail. We ate lunch in Loveland at The Wicked Pickle. They had live music and we ate outside, very relaxing. There are plenty of other places to choose. I also had ice cream at Graeter's. Loveland was very busy. There were a lot of people on and off the trail. We walked around the town for a while, then headed home.
All in all, I strongly recommend this section of the trail. Although it is a 3 hour drive, we will definitely be back.
Loved this section of the trail. It's such a lovely ride with beautiful views of the canal, many bridges, winding paths through the trees and along the canal... Just a gorgeous and fun ride. We ebike and pedal mostly the first trip... Thet shows the trail stopping at Renschler Park, but you can ride to Timberhill Park. Stopped at Hamilton via the Marcus Park exit & had a Salmon Egg, roll appetizer & drink at Tanos Bistro. Definitely recommend. Delicious. They're was a festival going on, but we didn't feel like walking. Very nice part of Hamilton. If you want to make a day,, this Park is always busy & had a stage for live bands
The trail was well marked, scenic and well-maintained. We rode it twice, once in each direction.
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