Export to Trail Guide
Create Guidebook 
Download GPX 
Print Friendly MapThe Buckeye Scenic Trail, a recent addition to the expanding Licking County trail system, stretches roughly 6 miles from the northern reaches of Heath to Lakewood High School on US 40. In the north, the paved trail passes commercial properties and Heath High School, while farther south trail users are treated to views of verdant Ohio farmland and well-kept homesteads.
At Irving Wick Drive, the rail-trail connects to the extensive Heath Trail System; head west to reach the city's municipal offices and pool complex.
Parking can be found at the south end of the Buckeye Scenic Trail at Lakewood High School (9331 Lancers Road, east of Hebron).
There is no parking at the north trailhead itself, but there are parking lots for some businesses very close.
I did an 11 mile round trip on an out-and-back ride on a sunny Autumn day. I rode from the northern end in Heath, Ohio and headed to the National Road (US-40) in Hebron (Atherton), Ohio at the southern end. Along the way you travel through suburban neighborhoods, cross over several bridges, and enter into the wide open spaces of corn and soybean fields in the southern half of the trail. Perhaps they should rename this trail the High School Connector Trail as you pass by Heath High School on the northern end and arrive at Lakewood High School when you reach the trail's southern end.
This rail trail has a paved surface that is in good shape with well marked striped street crossings. The bridge crossings are in great shape as well. My only complaints are that this trail is currently more geared toward the local citizenry than anyone outside the area. There are really no trailheads along the route unless you count parking at the two high schools along the route. Secondly, I think that this trail would get a lot more use if it could be connected to the other Licking County trails found in nearby Newark, Ohio. Using Google Maps, the northern end could be extended about 1.1 miles into Newark. However, connecting to the Newark Trail or the T.J. Evans Panhandle Trail becomes tricky due to having to get around active rail lines and rail yard. In addition, crossing Hopewell Drive, the current northern end of this trail, is a very busy street, so a simple street crossing will not be adequate. I hope that city and county leaders consider making connections between the county's trails a park and infrastructure priority.
Went for a summer baseball game at Heath HS, stayed for an 11-mile bike ride. Straight, we’ll maintained and a few old barns along the way. Very cool!
This trail runs north-south, with more uphill grade heading south than north. The first couple of miles from the north run through rural suburban areas, then through farmland further south. Most of the trail is lined with bushes and trees, not much exposed out in the farmland area, so there is some natural blocking of easterly or westerly wind. Trail surface good, I was out on a very nice Sunday morning, passed 2 bikers, a jogger and a few dog-walkers. Light use.
Found this trail close to our new home. Rode from Lakewood High School to Heath in mid April. The trail is straight and well kept. This was a fast ride through farm land and some woods. We enjoyed this trail and plan to ride it often this summer. Needs signage on both ends as it is a little obscure and parking areas on both ends are at public lots (i.e. Lakewood High on south end).
Caught the Buckcreek from the Little Miami and the Simon Kenton trails lots of variety in scenery, good condition, lite to no traffic on the trail and very little at cross overs, don't miss the water reservoir, complements of the army core of engineers, and park with old homestead just to the left of the buck creek state park, now the wildlife update, tons of birds and ground creatures, few deer along the way, happened upon one coming around a curve she froze and then lept away when I was about 4 feet from her.....and ........2 young bucks standing in a glade up by the old homestead.....never seen male deer in the wild before...awesome and on my bike even better.....
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
