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Print Friendly MapThe Thomas W. Hopper Legacy Trail follows a former rail bed from the Blackhawk golf course to Miller Park, which offers a small playground. Of historical significance is the nearby Galena Shale and Brick Factory, which dates back to the 1890s and which is why the trail was initially named the Galena Brick Trail. The trail is largely wooded and includes a bridge over Walnut Creek. The trail meets the Sandel Legacy Trail in Sunbury, near Big Walnut Elementary School.
The trail is just one small piece of the developing Ohio to Erie Trail network, which will span 320 miles across Ohio from Lake Erie in Cleveland to the Ohio River in Cincinnati.
Trail access is at Galena's Miller Park, which offers a parking lot off N. Walnut Street.
I recently rode this trail as part of a southbound trek on the Ohio to Erie Trail (OTET) route. This rail trail located in Galena, OH was 0.8 miles long but a new extension northeastward to the Sandel Legacy Trail has added another 2 miles. In addition, there is a trail loop in Galena's Miller Park, which I feel doesn't add much to the the OTET route, so if you are riding the across Ohio, skip this loop.
The surface of the trail is asphalt and is generally in good shape. The worst wear in the trail surface occurs in the trail loop in Miller Park. The part of the trail which is really part of the OTET Route is in good shape. To connect to the next southbound OTET trail in the cross-state route, the Hoover Scenic Trail, there is about a half mile of road riding. However, this on-road ride is pretty protected. You have sharrow markings on Dustin Road. When you reach W. Columbus St./S. Old 3C Rd. you get bike lanes to travel in, and when you turn left into Wiese Road you are riding an old road which basically only serves as a driveway for one house. Once you pass this house you are on the Hoover Scenic Trail.
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