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Print Friendly MapThe Westerville B&W (Bike & Walk Route) is an extensive system of paved multi-use paths throughout the Columbus suburb, stretching from Hoover Reservoir on the east to as far west as Worthington Road. On-road bike lanes allow for cyclists to ride a variety of loops. Visit the City of Westerville’s official website for the system to view route maps.
Pick up the Genoa Trail at Maxtown Road and Northgate Way to reach Galena at the northern tip of the Hoover Reservoir. At Schrock Road south of Alum Creek South Park, you can also pick up the Alum Creek Trail to head south through Columbus to Three Creeks Metro Park and points beyond.
A substantial portion of the Westerville B&W, including its spine built on a former rail corridor, is also a vital component of the Ohio to Erie Trail. The planned 320-mile route, of which over 240 miles are complete and open for use, will eventually span Ohio from the shores of Lake Erie in Cleveland to the Ohio River in Cincinnati.
Parking for the Westerville B&W is available throughout the system. Refer to the TrailLink map for exact locations.
The Westerville B&W is more a network of trails rather than one single trail. They are not necessarily all rail-trails, though the Ohio to Erie Trail (OTET) in this trail system certainly seems like one because of how straight it was and how gradual the changes in elevation were. I rode just two of the trail routes in this network: The Ohio to Erie Trail (The Towers Trail on some maps) and the County Line/Schrock Trail. I rode the Ohio to Erie Trail south from Maxtown Road where the Genoa Trail ended, to County Line Road where I crossed over the street on a bridge and then circled back to pick up the County Line/Schrock Trail. I headed west on the County Line/Schrock Trail in order to get closer to the Polaris area where my hotel for the evening was located. The County Line/Schrock Trail definitely is not a rail-trail as the it rises and falls as it runs parallel to County Line Road. The ascents and descents were not too bad but they were not railroad grade hills. As I rode these trails I was struck by how wide they were, and how well they seemed to fit in with local infrastructure. Part of me thinks that one reason for the many wide trails in this network was that they were built as the city transitioned from a farm community to a Columbus suburb before many of the buildings and homes in the area were built. Or perhaps the community had a visionary City Council and Mayor that knew that these trails were something that a growing community would want to attract new residents and pushed for their construction despite the cost and barriers that had to be overcome.
The next day I rode the same trail routes out of town. I rode south on the Ohio to Erie Trail until I reached the Westerville Bike Depot. The Bike Depot was an interesting place to stop. It has a very clean and awesome display of now and then pictures of Westerville. There are water fountains, bike racks, rest rooms, lockers, a picnic table, and a fireplace. It is located behind the Westerville Public Library in Hanby Park. The southbound OTET route in Westerville is well signed and easy to follow. You follow the Ohio to Erie Trail south until you reach Schrock Road, then follow the bike lane on Schrock which leads you to the Alum Creek Trail.
I plan to come back to Westerville to check out the rest of the trails in this network.
Rode more sections of the Ohio to Erie Trail today and loved the options I found in Westerville. This network of trails is well marked and takes you to a wide variety of areas with very little road riding. I only missed one turn all day and found the I covered a lot of ground and got to see a large swath of the Westerville community. If only other suburban trail systems could be so well integrated.
Would be great if it were open and more clearly marked. This trail is closed for 3 months. Didn't know till I got there. Ended up on wrong trail that wasn't for bike riding. THAT'S when I found out the one I was looking for is closed.
Absolutely bueatiful. Came in from out of town and got to ride a trail that gave me tour of the town and parks all in one. It has everything ex. Water, swamp, town, woods. Easy to navigate and smooth paving. The curves made me excited to see what was around every corner.
I ride these trails every day and can find them to be exceptionally Last summer I logged about 1600 miles in the Westerville area
I have ridden many sections of this trail and have enjoyed them all. I grew up in Westerville and love the town. These trails are so enjoyable no matter where you park and ride. Smooth and clean paths every mile. I love the new bridge crossing County Line Road!
I just this morning found that this trail is now completed from Westerville to Mt. Vernon Oh. I used to live in Westerville and will now make an effort to ride this trail this spring some time . I once hoped a train and rode it to Mt. vernon from Westerville. As my daughter's family lives inWesterville we can make it a family affair. of course the railroad bridge that was over state route 37 in Sunbury has been removed. I am guessing there is a bike route to get around where it was .
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