Hamilton Beltline Recreational Trail

Ohio

2 Reviews

When complete, the Hamilton Belt Line Trail will wrap 3 miles along a former CSX right-of-way around the west side of Hamilton. In its heyday, Champion Paper Mill used the line track to move coal and products. The first 2 phases are complete for a total of 1.5 miles of paved trail from Cleveland Avenue to B Street near Spooky Nook Champion Mill. The first half-mile of trail was completed in the summer of 2021 and another mile was added in 2022.

Already the trail is a popular place for families to get outside. Surrounded by greenery, it features a bridge over Two Mile Creek. As a bonus, there's an ice-cream shop on Eaton Avenue. Phase 3 is funded and is expected to be finished by 2024. A connection to the Great Miami River Trail is planned as part of phase 4.

Parking and Trail Access

Parking is available at Jim Grimm Park (1025 Cleveland Ave, Hamilton). Take Cleveland Avenue north to the start of the trail (1025 Cleveland Ave, Hamilton).

A Nice Local Trail in Need of Further Development

July 2024 orangedoug

After parking in Hamilton, Ohio's Jim Grimm Park located on Cleveland Avenue, I rode 2.4 miles on an out-and-back ride on the Hamilton Beltline Recreational Trail. The current trail is a combination of the first and second phases of a planned 3.5 mile loop on the west bank of the Great Miami River. Eventually plans include an off-road connection to the Great Miami River Recreational Trail located on the east bank of the river.

Jim Grimm Park which is located in the center of the current 1.15 mile trail. The trail runs between Eaton Avenue and North B Street which runs along the Great Miami River. This tree-lined trail runs through a ravine in which Twomile Creek runs toward emptying into the Great Miami River. This asphalt trail is in very good condition and seems to be popular with walkers and joggers. I think that it would probably get more cyclists riding it if the entire planned loop were to be completed. This would include completing an off-road or separated bike lane along B Street and over either the Black Street or Main Street bridges in order to connect to the Great Miami River Recreational Trail. Early plans of the trail’s route showed a trail connection to these bridges along the banks of the Great Miami River. However, when I reached B Street there was a sign indicating the end of the trail and there was no indication of any route paralleling B street to the bridges. However, after looking at a photo I took at B Street, and also looking at images from Google Earth, the sidewalk on the west side of B Street appears to have been widened to accommodate both pedestrian and bike traffic. I may have to ride this trail again to explore this possibility.

From what little research I’ve done, the other phases of the project to extend the trail beyond Eaton Ave. are well behind schedule so perhaps local interest in completing the trail has waned. The Hamilton Beltline Recreational Trail seems to be a trail that local residents like, but at this time, it is not one I would recommend going out of your way to ride.

Trail is now 1.15 miles in length with easy access at both ends and in the middle. Short length but pleasant ride.