Find the top rated birding trails in Zanesville, 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.
The Zoar Valley Trail (aka the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail) has received a significant improvement. In the past the trail was nothing but a primitive footpath once you headed south from the Zoarville Station Bridge/Rt 800. As of October 31, 2024, you can now take a new, exceptionally well constructed trail the two miles to the Dover Dam. (OK, so it isn’t officially open as of that date but should be any day now.) It is a very scenic ride especially in the Fall. Once you are at the dam you’ll just continue on the existing dam access road that will take you to the end of the trail at Rt. 416 north of New Philadelphia. If you go any further south it will be on well traveled roads with hills and limited line of sights. (I might suggest Rt 800 to New Philadelphia via Dover. It might be longer but at least the road has “share” signs and is relatively flat.) The trick to getting to the improved trail once you cross the Zoarville Station Bridge, again if you are headed south, is to head straight to the metal gate you’ll see a short distance ahead. Do not turn right onto the primitive trail before the gate. Once at the gate you can go around it to the right or simply pull the chain that appears to lock the gate (it isn’t) through the hoops on the gate and open it. Once past the gate keep going straight ahead on the paved road for approximately 150 feet and you’ll see the new trail to the right. I have biked the Ohio & Erie Towpath trail from Cleveland to Rte 800 many times over the years and this new section may very well be one of the nicest.
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)..
We started in Akron and rode about 18 miles north. Loved it!!!
Very clean and safe with new smooth surface. Well maintained. A lot to see and spot along the way. Beautiful scenery. We traveled the entire trail in one day even with little endurance riding under our saddle. Elevation climbs were gentle and mostly unnoticeable. Highly recommend this trail for families. I can’t wait to come back and do this one again. Highly recommend Eclipse Company Store for meals as the half way point.
Our hybrid bike tires did great on this trail from Mineral to Hope Moonville Road. The trail is packed gravel and a very comfortable ride. The Moonville Tunnel was a smooth ride but Kings Hollow Tunnel was rough. Be advised to ride through Kings Hollow slowly as it is riddled with potholes. Make sure to bring lights for the tunnels. Overall a wonderful trail and I highly recommend.
Not sure what the September reviews are talking about. Rode this trail today from route 97 to Mansfield and back, for 21 miles. We had no scary issues. A few bumps. Awesome crisp fall day. The fences were in place to protect from going into a deep ravines. We would ride this trail again. Not on a Sunday because the nearby Der Dutchman restaurant was closed. ¿
This is a must trail if you love to ride.
is everywhere…went on a wet day and our recumbent trikes were sprayed with horse crap…thankfully we had mudguards!
We started off at the trail head in Mansfield. Was not going to park my car in that neighborhood. Ended up driving to Butler and working our way back. Was kinda cool in the start seeing some crop dusters type planes getting ready to take off. Trail was in decent shape, had dog in trailer and was hoping for some water to let her swim, was 85 degrees. There was a blue bridge, maybe Belleville but the little park we could have stopped at said Private Property so we tracked on. We ended up going the whole trail and when we arrived back close to Mansfield we decided to turn around when I started seeing barbed wire on fence. It was pretty open in many areas and very hot. Some cool looking buildings but some really dangerous intersections and 90% of drivers will not stop for you. No intention return to this trail but can say we completed.
We rode the trail from Butler to the trails end in Mansfield (slightly uphill). Shady for the most part…, with a blend of countryside to Urban all along the way. There were several places along the way to stop and take breaks (if needed). There are numerous places where the road crossings were dangerous, due to the volume of traffic.
We drove from Alabama with the intention of riding 25+ miles in several states. This trail did not disappoint. We began our e-bike ride from the Ohio University Bobcats football stadium traveling 17 miles to Nelsonville’s Rocky Outdoor Gear. Beautiful scenery, safe trail (only one road crossing where you felt the need to be extra cautious), nice folks along the way. On the return trip we enjoyed a tasty meal at the Eclipse. Definitely worth the trip.
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