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Print Friendly MapThe Pickaway Trail is a developing rail-trail that begins in Circleville, located less than an hour's drive south of Columbus. Currently, the trail spans 2.5 miles along the former Cincinnati-Muskingum Railroad line and is in a primitive condition, providing a tranquil experience with views of woodlands and central Ohio farm country.
Future plans call for it to stretch 12 miles west to New Holland.
This is a nice enough trail but it’s way too short. It’s kind of sad because it has so much potential. There’s a whole section at the end that’s completely unkept & unridable and it just ends up ending in someone’s driveway. If they could tie this trail into the round town trail then it would really be something special. While they’re at it… Why not extend it all the way down to the paint creek trail. That would be sweeet!
I rode 3.3 out-and-back miles on the Pickaway Trail near Circleville, Ohio on August 26th. This rail trail currently is listed at 2.5 miles in length but not all of it is paved. I started at the Canal Road trailhead and headed west. When I reached Ohio-104 the paved trail ended but a sign on the other side of the road stated that the trail beyond this point was under development. It looked like a gravel driveway so I decided to cross and check out the current level of development. Well, the driveway turned out to be exactly that and as it curved to the right it became obvious that the grassy opening straight ahead was what was the undeveloped trail. The trail map on TrailLink.com shows the trail continuing westward until it reaches Sisk Road. While I was curious what more I would find if I continued, the sound of thunder told me to call it quits and get back to the car. The paved trail appears to be brand new — a very smooth ride. The trail is arrow-straight throughout its current length. The trail runs through corn and soybean fields and is tree lined in parts and wide open when running through the farm fields. My one complaint has to do with the positioning of the bollards to keep motorized vehicles off of the trail. I feel that the spacing between posts is a bit narrow and could be hazardous to cyclists who may not be paying attention.
My son and I rode our bikes on this trail and found it to be a fun, short morning ride. Some of the trail has shade, some passes through cornfields and it’s sunny. Some is gravel, other portions are grassy and a bit bumpy, but still passable on bike. We took the trail just past 104 where it became too grassy and itchy for our legs. We talked to a worker at the canal park who said they were taking bids for paving the trail from the parking lot to 104. That will make it much nicer for biking.
There is parking at Canal Park where a person could take the "Tow Path" Trail. It joins with the Pickaway Trail. The trail is very primitive at this point but once improvements are made, it will be a nice trail. About one mile of the trail is on a gravel road that travels through farm fields. There is also an old cemetery along the gravel road/trail. The cemetery is from the late 1700s to mid-1800s. There are some newer interments in the cemetery also. The trail continues onto a portion where there is a former railroad. There are remnants of old railroad ties along the trail also. It also joins up with another trail that travels along Calamus Swamp. The trail does have taller grass so dress accordingly Overall, inrate it as a three due to being able to see the potential of the trail. Once improvements are made, this trail could very easily move up in ratings.
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