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Print Friendly MapMarietta’s River Trail runs for more than 4 miles along the Muskingum River through the city situated just across the Ohio River from West Virginia. The paved trail passes through Marietta’s quaint downtown, connecting residents with shops, restaurants and parks. A series of extensions have brought the trail farther east to the city’s strip of big-box stores and hotels near the interstate.
In the heart of downtown, the River Trail passes the eastern access point for the Harmar Railroad Bridge. The trestle was converted for pedestrian and bicycle use in 1987 and rehabbed in 2007, allowing trail users to continue across the Muskingum River to Harmar Village and the Historic Harmar Bridge Transportation Museum on Maple Street. The unique bridge’s span turns by hand to allow for the passage of large boats. Be sure to stop safely on the bridge to take in sweeping views of the Muskingum River, Ohio River and West Virginia on the opposite shore.
The most recent addition to the trail was completed in 2020; known as the Ohio River Access Trail, this segment gives trail users a convenient off-road means of navigating across the busy interstate and Duck Creek, connecting the grocery stores and hotels on the city's east end with the rest of the trail network.
Parking for Marietta’s River Trail can be found at the path’s northern trailhead in Indian Acres Park on Linwood Avenue; in East Muskingum Park on Front Street; and at Ohio Riverfront Park on Ohio Street.
Great trail for a quick run (8 mile out & back) in Marietta!
A very beautiful path! The path is along the river with beautiful views of the river, boats and bridges that cross over to West Virginia. Plenty of places to stop and enjoy the view along the way. We got ice cream at a little shop on our way back. It was way out of our way to get to this trail..but definitely worth the trip. ¿¿ (Giving it 4 stars because of the length…but still loved it).
I took advantage of a beautiful day for a nice 7 mile out-and-back ride on on the Marietta River Trail in Marietta, Ohio. This trail runs along the banks of the the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers in the southeast corner of Ohio. This is a great trail for lovers of history as Marietta was the first government sanctioned settlement of the young United States in what was known as the Northwest Territory back in 1788. There are all kinds of historical markers along the trail and the architecture is varied due to the city’s age. There are a couple of other bike routes in town that would give you access to other historical sites away from the riverfront if you are so inclined. The trail is an asphalt surface which was in pretty good shape. If you are in the area, the trail is definitely worth the trip. My only disappointment was that the trail wasn’t longer. Next time I will have to add in one of the other trails that run through town for a longer ride.
I ride here alot very nice path easy for all ages. my only complaint I wish it was longer down and back on my bike spedo 7.22 miles
I had read the reviews about this path and had to try it. We ride recumbent trikes and had our ankle biting furry friend with us. We found it was a nice path albeit a little muddy by the fairgrounds. The scenery was great and the other users were very courteous. We were there in June 2014 and hopefully will return fall 2015.
Really like biking and walking around Marietta. But this is the worst bike trail. It's nicely maintained and picturesque, but it is NOT a BIKE trail. It is a baby stroller path and dog-leash path.
1st couple times I tried to actually ride bike on it I almost wrecked. After that I just stick to the streets.
Athens and Lancaster people seem to "get" it but none of the Marietta locals seem to know the common rules that you follow when walking on a bike trail.
1- No side-by-side strollers (heck, you are just endangering your kid)
2- No long-leash dog-walking. You'll trip a biker and/or injure your dog.
3- Don’t walk two or three people wide when there is traffic.
4- Know what a biker means when you hear “on your left”. (It means stay on the right side of the path, so you don’t cause an accident.
If there is an accident, and a biker or a child is badly hurt, I wonder if it opens the city up to a claim? After all, they call it a BIKE trail.
So, don't call it a bike trail if it isn't.
"I live in this area and have biked and walked this trail many times. It is a lovely trail with great scenery and nice people. However, in no stretch of the imagination is this trail 6 miles long. To be specific it is 2.8 miles. "
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