Find the top rated birding trails in Middletown, 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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I rode an out-and-back ride on the OgdenTrail/Elizabeth J. Looney Trail located in Wilmington, Ohio. This 3.34 mile-long rail trail is also identified as simply the Ogden Trail or the Elizabeth J. Looney Trail, and on a posted map of Wilmington Trails it was named the Elizabeth J. Looney Ogden Trail.
The trail is built on an old Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley Railroad Line which was later operated by the Pennsylvania RR, the Penn Central RR, and Conrail during different times of its operational history.
The Ogden Trail/Elizabeth J. Looney Trail connects to one end of the Luther Warren Peace Path at South Nelson Avenue and runs southwest until it reaches Ogden Road, where it presently ends. This is a nice trail; probably the best trail in the Wilmington trail network. The pavement is in great shape because it is new. The trail travels along Lytle Creek and crosses over it four times over its 3.34 miles. When you start your ride at South Nelson Avenue, you’ll quickly pass by the Wilmington Waste Water Treatment Plant and the Wilmington Landfill. After 6/10ths of a mile you are out of the city. For the remainder of the ride, the landscape along the trail toggles between wooded areas and farmland. On this particular weekday afternoon I encountered only two runners out using the trail – no cyclists. I imagine that you would likely encounter more users on the trail during the weekend. This was a peaceful ride and different from some of the other trails in the developing Wilmington trail network. If you live outside of the Wilmington area and you are considering coming to Wilmington just to ride this particular trail, I don't think that the trail is long enough to make your trip worthwhile. If you are coming to ride all or most of the trails in the city’s trail network, then that would be a more rewarding endeavor.
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.
The trail from Verona to trotwood was in great shape, appropriately marked, clean and no problems. Totwood South was problematic I decided not to take that today. A very nice ride with lots of things to see or stop.
Some superb sections, but not quite enough length. Its a bit chopped up with sections unconnected and requiring street traversal to connect. Alongside Ohio River makes it world class for those portions, but just not quite enough. Overall, an A-, B+. Can't say I'm drawn to repeat but its fun and worth a single trip at least. If you wish to get off bike and do some things while there, it has enough to sustain that notion, for sure!
I was so looking forward to this trail, but after hitting over 15 sections of large-stone gravel AND getting a flat as a result, I deem it horrible unless you ice a fat tire or mountain bike. My understanding is that the state is out of money and are not fixing these for now. Would
Love to have the Cardinal Greenway people know this and pay for my freaking inconvenience.
Discovered this comfortable place with great accommodations for two bike travelers. They offer a pullout sofa if you do not wish to share a bed. Indoor bike storage with a comfy bed and a hot shower! Distillery right next-door and two restaurants to fuel up in the morning to get back on the trail. Close to the panhandle of West Virginia. Their name is Harmony Trail Haven on Airbnb.
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.
Highly recommend this beautiful and well kept trail. Beautiful to ride along the trees and over the 2 epic ohiopyle bridges.
While there's no real breathtaking scenery along this route, it's a really nice ride. Well maintained, smooth, with a few towns and other places to stop. I did a video of my ride if you're interested in seeing more. https://youtu.be/tIFhje88VpQ
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