Hiking
More and more recent studies prove the health benefits of being outside. And, one of the easiest ways of getting out there is to simply tie on some boots (or trail runners if you’re experienced!), choose a trail, and head on out into the woods for a rejuvenating hike (and with proper equipping of a map, water, food, letting others know where you’re going and when to expect you back, etc.)!
Hiking differs from backpacking in that hiking typically involves an in and out excursion, or a traversing a looped path – all in one day. Staying the night in the wilderness is usually not involved with hiking, and therefore many people only carry a light ‘day pack’ for their adventure.
There is plentiful hiking all throughout and around Columbus – especially within our city’s Metro Parks. If you’re up for drinking-in the outdoors, hiking is definitely a great place to start!
Best time to go:
Like backpacking, hiking is great in all seasons with the spring and fall months offering the most bang for the buck. However, with a small amount of research and planning, you can head out for a hike pretty much every day of the year.
Other Resources:
American Hiking Society – Ohio
Hiking Education/Safety:
American Hiking Society – Resources
Family Education – Safety Tips
Hiking Destinations (in a general four-hour radius from Columbus, in order from near to far):
OLENTANGY TRAIL
The Olentangy Trail is a seamless path from Worthington to Downtown Columbus, making its way through several neighborhoods along the river. Trailheads break off the path into various Columbus Metro Parks and also wanders through OSU’s campus. The path is also frequented by bikers, runners, and more.
Activities:
Hiking, biking
BATELLE DARBY CREEK
Battelle Darby Creek has 7,000 acres of protected forest and prairies and stretches along 13 miles of the Big and Little Darby creeks – each of which are National Scenic Rivers. The hiking trails go through restored wetlands and pass pastures of reintroduced bison. There are fourteen established trails that range from easy to difficult and are all less than 13 miles.
Activities:
Hiking, biking, slacklining
HIGHBANKS METRO PARK
This park has a 100-foot-high shale bluff that towers over the Olentangy River. A variety of trails traverse the tributaries surrounding the bluff and around the river, making for great day hikes. All trails are less than 2.5 miles and can be combined for a longer day hike.
Activities:
Hiking, biking, slacklining
HOCKING HILLS
Only an hour away from campus, Hocking Hills has incredible sandstone outcroppings, deep cool gorges, towering hemlocks, and glistening waterfalls. There are miles and miles of trails that can be heavily trafficked, so to avoid crowds be sure to go early in the morning. The most popular area is Old Man’s Cave, a hike that can be up to six-miles in length, and connects three of the park’s best areas.
Activities:
Hiking, climbing, camping
MOHICAN RIVER
There are 88 miles of hiking trails that work their way through this park, which lead to endless options of day hikes. The 25-mile loop single track mountain biking trail is one of the best trails and can be a good out and back day hike (even with mountain bikes also on the trail) when shortened.
Activities:
Hiking, backpacking, camping, canoeing, mountain biking
BLACKLICK WOODS METRO PARK
Blacklick Woods features 643 acres of woods, fields, small prairies, and a golf course. It has one of the best beech-maple forests in Central Ohio, as well as a swamp forest. Hiking trails are fairly easy and accessible to many.
Activities:
Hiking, golfing
SALT FORK STATE FOREST
Salt Fork State Forest has numerous trails, the best for a day hike being the 9-mile Shadbush Trail. The trail goes through the forest and loops past the lake, and is rated as a moderate trail. There are various other great trails in the park that are accessible to all ranges of difficulties.
Activities:
Hiking, camping
GAHANNA WOODS STATE NATURE PRESERVE
Gahanna Woods is known for its wooded habitats and spring wildflowers. Oak and silver maple swamp forest surrounds the park and there are a few hiking trails that go through the park, giving access to views of all these things. This nature preserve is also known to be a good spot for birding.
Activities:
Hiking, birding
GERMANTOWN METRO PARK
Germantown and Twin Creek Metro Parks make up the largest areas of old growth forest in Montgomery County. Tall trees, prairies, large ravines, and some rugged terrain. The orange loop is a great 7-mile day hike that will give hikers a challenge.
Activities:
Hiking, backpacking, camping
TWIN CREEK METRO PARK
Twin Creek Metro Park hosts 70 species of nesting birds, and also features rugged terrain, large ridges, ravines, and old growth forests. The orange loop is the longest and hardest loop and can be combined with the backpacking trail for a longer trip.
Activities:
Hiking, backpacking, camping
CAESAR CREEK STATE PARK
The best day hike in Caesar Creek follows along the Buckeye Trail as well. The 13-mile perimeter loop is a great hike that circles the lake and passes up and down through forests, creeks, and waterfalls. Side trails lead to nice viewpoints and other water features.
Activities:
Hiking, camping, boating, backpacking
CUYAHOGA NATIONAL PARK
Cuyahoga National Park lies beside the Cuyahoga River, along the Erie Canal’s original towpath. There are several waterfalls throughout the National Park as well as scenic railroads, woodlands, wetlands, and old fields. One of the best spots for a day hike is the Stanford House trail to Brandywine Falls. This four-mile hike has some steep hills that end with a rewarding view of Brandywine Falls. Parts of the Cuyahoga National Park hiking trails overlap with the Buckeye Loop, a large backpacking through-hike that circles the entire state of Ohio.
Activities
Hiking, camping, whitewater kayaking/rafting, snowshoeing, cross country skiing
CHRISTMAS ROCKS NATURE PRESERVE
Christmas Rocks Nature Preserve features a spectacular vista view at the top of the Jacob’s Ladder formation. The four-mile hike traverses up a bluff to the beautiful Black Hand Sandstone formation that towers 250 feet above the valley. The preserve is home to a rare species of plants and trees, including a dry chestnut oak as well as an endangered Bradley’s spleenwort. The rare species of trees and plants make this area a great birding spot. The trail features a river and in the spring boasts fields of beautiful wildflowers.
Activities:
Day hiking, birding
JOHN BRYANT STATE PARK
John Bryant State Park protects one of the most incredible limestone gorges in the state. The park encompasses stretches of the Little Miami National Scenic River and is a spectacular example of post-glacial canyon cutting. The gorge is home to tree species not typically seen this far south, such as Hemlock, Mountain Maple, and Red Baneberry. The Pittsburg-Cincinnati Stagecoach and John L. Rich Loop is the best 4-mile day hike in the park to see the tree species, gorge features, and river all in one.
Activities:
Climbing, camping, hiking
ZALESKI STATE FOREST
Zaleski Forest operates the only state-owned sawmill in Ohio, which produces rough sawn lumber for use by Ohio’s state forests. There are many out and back shorter trails through the state forest you can use to see the early forest and sawmill, or you can take the 11.3-mile South Loop trail for a longer day hike. Small caves, great views of the surrounding hills, and a lake are all features you can expect to see.
Activities:
Hiking, backpacking, camping
LAKE VESUVIUS
The best day hike at Lake Vesuvius is the 8.25-mile trail that follows along the shore of Lake Vesuvius. The trail starts at the boat dock and follows the dam leading to the accessible boardwalk. The trail then travels through overhanging hemlock, along rock bluffs, and foot bridges along the way.
Activities:
Backpacking, hiking, camping
WAYNE NATIONAL FOREST
What can be seen as holding the grandaddy of hiking options in Ohio, the Wayne offers nearly 850,000 acres and 300 miles of trails of all lengths and challenge levels. The best day hike is the 12.9-mile Archer’s Fork Trail, a heavily trafficked but beautiful trail. The whole trail features huge rock outcroppings, a large cave and the forest’s Natural Bridge. This trail can be lengthened and connected to a multitude of other trails for a longer backpacking expedition. The Wayne National Forest Scenic River Loop is another day hike that is rated as an easier trail and follows a loop 10 miles along the river.
Activities:
Hiking, backpacking, camping