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Print Friendly MapOpened in 2017, the Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail, spanning 9.1 miles, is the longest rail trail in central Ohio's Clinton County. Following a former railroad corridor, the rail-trail spans the rural village of Sabina, a community which dates back to 1830.
In the middle of the first section of the trail, from Sabina Farmers Exchange to the community of Reesville, about 2.5 miles of the route is paved; to either side, the rest of the trail is crushed stone. There is also a short on-road section in Sabina between Orchard Avenue and Howard Street.
The second, eastern section of trail similarly runs along the same flat, straight, and paved route.
A parking lot is available at either end of the trail: off Melvin Road to the west, and off N. Borum Road to the east. Mid-trail, a parking lot is also available in Sabina at the intersection of W. Mound Street and N. College Street.
The last time I rode this trail was in July of 2018. The ultimate goal of this developing trail is to connect the county seats of Clinton County (Wilmington, OH) and Fayette County (Washington Court House, OH). In 2018, the trail consisted only of what I would now call the southwest section of the trail. It ran, and still runs, from North Borum Road in Sabina, Ohio to Melvin Road in Melvin, an unincorporated community in Richland Township, Clinton County, Ohio. In 2018, the trail was paved only from the Sabina water tower to Reesville. Today, this southwest section of the trail is completely paved.) In addition, there is now an additional section of trail near Washington Court House, Ohio which I am identifying as the northeast section of the trail. This section runs from Jamison Rd NW to Bush Rd NW outside of Washington Court House.
While I did not encounter anyone else riding or walking on either section of this trail on the day I rode both of them, it appears that the southwest section of the trail through Sabina seems to get more use. I would attribute this impression due to the condition of the trail surface and addition of trail signage along the southwest section of trail. The northeast section of the trail has numerous places where grass is growing up through cracks in the pavement, indicating that it does not get much use. There is very little that connects the northeast section of the trail to the city of Washington Court House. Currently, there is a gap of about 1.25 miles into Washington Courthouse. Closing this gap would allow users of the popular Paint Creek Recreation Trail to connect to this trail section. There is very little shade along the northeast portion of the Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail as this runs through corn and soybean fields. Between Sabina and Melvin, the trail is tree lined and the resulting shade provides some relief from the summer sun. If the 4.5 mile gap between Sabina’s N. Borum Rd. and the Washington Court House’s Bush Rd. and the 1.25 mile gap between Jamison Rd. and West Market Street in Washington Court House can be developed then I think the Clinton-Fayette Friendship Trail would get a lot more use. Eventually, the 6.5 mile gap between Melvin and Wilmington would need to be completed to connect the two county seats as intended.
That final section is now paved. This Trail's length helps it be a good start for the new year. Notice, however there is a West Wind that goes the entire length. Most of the time it's not too bad because the overhanging trees break it up.
Drove from Columbus on beautiful Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Rode from Borum rd parking to Melville - it’s only 7.1 miles one way and the last 3/4 miles is grass (not paved). Path is in great condition. Only facility is at Roger park and it’s scary, dark and torn up, unfortunately.
Started at Borum Road end in Fayette county. Parking available there. Beautiful, wide, paved path. Well maintained with nice mix of sun and shade. Roll through corn fields, active railway nearby, easy 30 min ride to a small town park which may have restrooms in season. Children may enjoy park swings as a break. Shelter for picnic. Continues for a very short stretch on village street then back to trail. Had to head back before I made it to west end so not sure if paved through but I suspect it is.
Most of the path is paved now, except the last 1/2 - mile from the south end near Melvin Rd. Great flat path riding thru corn fields and some tree lined areas.
I rode the trails in Wilmington, Ohio so I was curious about this one when I heard that it had opened last year. I started my ride at the trailhead parking lot at the corner of North College and Mound Streets in Sabina, OH. The town is essentially at the current center of the trail. The trail is very flat so it is easy in that respect. Through town the path is paved. the trail surface for last 2 or 3 miles at either end is currently railroad ballast. The limestone aggregate surface at either end of the trail is not crushed, so stones range in size from pea to half dollar-sized. This made for a slow go in the unpaved portions of the trail. I wouldn't ride a road bike at either end of the trail. Finally, despite being tree-lined for most of the trail, there wasn't as much shade on this trail as one might think.
The trail is arrow straight and apart from riding through Sabina you are surrounded by farmland the whole time. My recommendation is to wait to travel to ride this trail until it is either entirely paved or until it is connected to either Washington Courthouse or Wilmington or both.
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