Find the top rated hiking trails in Independence, whether you're looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hiking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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This trail really isn't much of a trail as at least half of it is on roads used by cars and in most of those places the shoulder is a foot or two at the most so you truly are on the road. The one saving grace is that the roads are very lightly traveled. The west parts where it is trail is nice and scenic, the east part is noticeably older although in decent shape. The trail does have moderate hills and is very shady. The trail would be much higher rated if it wasn't on roads for over half of it.
Love this trail from outside of Piqua near the lake and dam, to Troy. Was a paved trail with a few bridges and hills. Little challenging if you are not use to grades on trails. Few Porta potties along the way. Benches too.
I have hiked this trail about 30 times and 3.3 miles is point to point the total mileage down and back is 7 miles. If you combine this trail with the Luther Warren peace path it is a little over 9 miles.
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.
The trail was in great shape, especially for early Spring . The only issue was some gravel wash out from the tracks near Metamora; wider tires are helpful. Lots to look at on the canal. Pleased to see restrooms which are always welcome. Lots of food available when open.
I ran this trail on December 26, 2024. Started at the 5-mile road section and ended at Waites Rd. This measured 2.13 miles. Then picked up again at Ebersole Community Center and ran that entire segment including the off spur to canoe ct/trailhead, ending at Corbin Street and this measured 5.16 miles. The last segment started at the Crystailine Tower and ended at Smith Street and that measured 2.75 miles....so that is closer to 10 mile run. The site measures it as close to 8 and I don't know if they just didn't include a segment or not, but it was clearly closer to 10 miles. The sites were fantastic and the middle segment has some breathtaking views of just amazing wide open views around the airport. I would run this more if I lived closer to this trail. I never felt unsafe on the trail and there were quite a few people on the trail with the nice weather in December. HIghly recommend the trail :)
If you are looking for a quiet woodland and rural trail, this is it. Very well maintained pavement with benches for resting. Bridges that cross a quiet creek. Lots of wildlife to see. Open areas with rural views. It’s the Goldie Locks trail…not too long, not too short.
How about a round of applause for the cities, counties, employees, and volunteers who put this great trail together. Unlike the LMRT, this trail is not a state park but a series of parks in many jurisdictions. I do not know who coordinates this effort to create the ‘whole’, but good job.
In Piqua, Troy and Dayton, trail is not always marked. You know you're on A trail, but not WHICH trail, or, on on-road sections, it is not clear where the trail goes. In addition, trail surface is quite rough for lengthy distances. Not recommended.
We ride this trail very often from Milford to Yellow Springs and love this portion of the Trail. We went North of Yellow Springs for the 1st time back in 2022 heading to Urbana. for the 1st time my husband and I felt unsafe on the trails in Springfield area. We have been on 100's of miles of the trails all over Dayton, Troy, Miamisburg, Piqua, Loveland, Morrow, Beavercreek, Xenia, Cincinnati. I have never feared being on the path with my husband. This was the 1st time we made it a point to turn around before getting to our planned stopping point to be sure we had the energy to keep a steady pace to get back through an area without slowing or stopping. Homeless, graffiti, glass on trail, we love riding but will not go on this portion of trail again. I want to be clear it was only the Springfield area. If going North of Yellow Springs I would stop at I believe it was called Beatty Park, skip Springfield area and hop back on at a different time north of Springfield. I will Note that we never passed any other bike riders in this area in either direction, which we have never encountered being completely alone for a few miles. (I previously posted this some how on a 2nd account i was unaware I had until today.) We have not been back on the trail in that area for the past 2 years, however we were in that area a few weeks ago by car, and the path was not looking any better than we remembered.
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