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My brother and myself rode this trail on 7/25/25. A lot of nice things can be said about the time we had. We did this trail in 2 segments (from the Moonville Trailhead to Mineral which is 4 miles and then from Zaleski to Moonville which is 5 miles). Pretty primitive, little or no cell service and you are in the Zaleski State Forest. For the entire day, we saw 1 other biker (and he was as stunned as we were to see someone) and a lady with her kids playing in the creek. Finding the Moonville Trailhead parking lot was an experience. Google Maps took us down a road called Buck Lane (which down a bit becomes Hope-Moonville Road). At the top and on the left, is Uncle Buck's Riding Stable and Dance Barn and across the road is the Ferguson Cemetery. I would strongly advise not to start down this gravel road. It is one lane and as once you start you cannot change. Look for an alternate route. There are sheer drops of over couple hundred feet on the right. You will literally crawl down this road (5 mph) and if someone was coming up there is no room to go around. Once we made it to the trailhead, we noticed a sign stating the trail is closed going west as a few bridges (#4 and #5) are out. We did ride to see how far this was and it was within a few minutes (note: between the 2 bridges would be MM5). Also, something we did not know was that the Moonville Cemetery was nearby. We needed to walk up the road that we came down a little to find it. We wish we saw it but we did not see any signs indicating it was around. Riding east was a lot of fun as there is enough to see. You will cross over Raccoon Creek (bridge #6). In less than a mile, you will see the Moonville Tunnel. Built in 1856, there are stories that say it is haunted. We always enjoy taking pictures of tunnels from both the outside and inside as well as when leave them too. Bridges 7 and 8 will take you over the Hewett Fork Creek (at this point you are at MM6). There is a beautiful marsh area next and as you ride you will see some of the old railroad telegraph poles. Also, at various points you will see old wooden railroad crossing signs with the wording Moonville Rail Trail which is a nice touch for the trail. Next will be Ingham Station. There is an information board explaining the history of this coal mining settlement that started in 1856. Like Moonville, it is a ghost town now. Near MM7, you will be at Sickles Preserve. Bridges 10, 11, and 12 will take you over the Hewett Fork Creek again. The King's Hollow Tunnel (aka the King Switch Tunnel) will be next (near MM8). Built in 1855, this tunnel looks like an old mine shaft as it is wooden and narrow too. Bit muddy inside and is longer than the Moonville Tunnel. Kind of amazing a train went through it. The trail ends in about another mile in the town of Mineral (Route 356 - Scott St 1229 Waterloo Twp). When we did cross route 356, a trail still appeared and we were able to ride it for about 2 miles. There was a beautiful small lake that will appear on the right, we saw an old abandoned home, and a structure called The Itty Biddy Beach Bar (probably named as Biddyville Road is nearby), a few picnic tables and canoes too. When we returned to the Moonville Trailhead, we were fortunate that someone was there and told us how to get out without going back up Buck Lane. (Hope-Moonville Road - Shea Road - Wheelabout Rd) got us to Route 278 where we took some beautiful pictures of Lake Hope at the state park. The Hope Iron Furnace is nearby but we did not check it out.
The Zaleski trailhead is on Commercial Street (route 278). Nearby is the Moonville Market which is where we got a great map of the trail. Nice little place to walk into as well. The trail from Zaleski to where the bridges are out in Moonville (MM5) is mainly grass with small and large gravel. Definitely more primitive than the other section we rode on. It was more of a challenge for my hybrid. This section has some open areas and is very pretty as well. About 3.5 miles into the trip you will see the Hope Schoolhouse Welcome Center. It is open on Saturdays (10-4) and Sundays (10-2) from March to October from what we found out. It would have been nice to check it out but it was closed on the day we were there. The schoolhouse was constructed back in 1883. In another mile (4.5 total now) will be a historical marker about the Raccoon Creek Bridge. Our trip ended shortly after that as we were near where we had started earlier.
This trail has a lot of variety. It is amazing all that was going on around this area along with a train passing through. A lot of history here. Now these are ghost towns. It would be nice to ride this in the Fall. Definitely worth a return trip. Also, to check out anything that is occurring locally as well.
This was an awesome ride.. I did a total of 63 miles of this trail.. trail could use some better markings along the way.. I started at Washington court.. rode though a nice park, but then had to go through an industrial park to get to the trial.. TrailLink did not show another trailhead on it's map that would have saved me about 2 miles going though that industrial park..
It was a very hot day that day.. but mostly the trail was covered in trees, there are a lot of areas or stretch's of trail that are out in open country and hardly any trees to take advantage of shade.. on that hot day, it was kind of rough to get through that area... lots of country side to see.. some of the trial got rough due to braking up of the pavement.. but still wasn't too bad.. road all the way down to Chillicothe, ate at a restaurant called "Sumburger".. cooled off there for a couple of hours (It was really hot out there) people in there was very nice.. they do have charging plugs in there to recharge you phone or battery if you have an e-bike.. thought that was cool...
All in all it was a great ride.. planning to head back there this fall when the fall colors are in..
did this trail for the first time ever July 23/24. Had a fantastic time riding a well-shaded trail for the most part. It is open once you get to Athens and to S.Canaan rd (end point). Lots of things to see both historically and otherwise. We started in Nelsonville at the western trailhead by the Railroad Station. Plenty of pictures to be had if you are a railroad enthusiast. You can ride the high school connector by The Eclipse restaurant in The Plains and go see the Joe Burrow stadium (about 9/10 of a mile). But DON'T pass this place up. Stop and eat and grab one of the 32 draft craft beers. You won't be disappointed. About the only thing that needs some clarification is the mileage markers. It is a little confusing once you get to Athens and where they added the additional trail to the original 18 miles. I heard that there is plans (in the making) of connecting the Moonville Rail Trail up to Athens and the Athens-Belpre trail. That may be ambitious and I don't know if I'll be around to see it. However, that would be great if it happened.
Well maintained trail. The only thing missing is an ice cream shop.
We try to get to this one every year commuting nearly 3 hours and staying in the area. Flat paved trail runs from Danville to Mount Vernon. Crosses the Kokosing river several times over historic railroad bridges, goes through Kenyan College at Gambier and passes through the old stone arch in Howard. Mostly shaded with some open farmlands. We saw a few deer. Connecting trails are Heart of Ohio in Mt. Vernon and Mohican Valley in Danville. All around great trail!
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.
Started on the north part of the trail going south. It switchbacks around a lot of major road infrastructure, but I didn’t have to cross a major road in any of the sections. I ended up getting a bit lost multiple times, but after about 3 miles in, it got a bit easier to navigate. It’s all paved and the part I road on was mostly good with a few sections of bumps. Definitely close to nature - i saw deer, rabbits, and a hawk catch another bird.
Really enjoyed this trail. We were thankful for all the shade since it was in the 90's. We stayed at the Lodge of Hocking College which was on the trail in Nelsonville. Highly recommend.
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
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