Explore the best rated trails in Athens, OH, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Ohio Canal Greenway and Paint Creek Recreation Trail . With more than 18 trails covering 195 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
West Union area is paved both directions for a few miles, if heading west towards Pennsboro/Ellenboro trail is both hard pack. The tunnel just outside of West Union was pretty dry (2200+) and should have a light to be safe. Trail is mostly under canopy with some rock cliffs, creek view and wildlife can be seen. Fat tire makes it a comfortable, enjoyable ride
First bridge on trail from parking lot by Thomas do it center. Bridge is rotting on the edge on both sides of bridge. Its dangerous because weeds are growing hiding some of the rotten areas of bridge. Also the trail from thomas do it center to 4th avenue needs to repaved or repaired. I ride my bike on trail and it is a very bumpy ride. If I am riding from spring valley to town I usually ride 160 to town and bike trail back to spring valley. One trip riding on the trail is enough for me.
Ride here several times a year, often the whole trail round trip. Pros: Ride thru a National Park, downtown Chillicothe is a bike friendly area with lots to see eat n drink, trail is in as good of shape as most ohio trails, with a short 20 mile road ride one can take the Jamestown Connector into Xenia the hub of Ohio's bike trail system, maybe the best thing is this trail crowded at all except a few folks in Chillicothe. Cons: trail is in as bad of shape as most Ohio trails,
Rained yesterday but trail was in good shape, headed towards Ellenboro then back. Rode the other direction to Cairo. It was a Friday so some of the stores not open. Continued for 2-3 miles past Cairo almost to the next tunnel. This section is not as maintained as the park area but was very rideable. Very enjoyable We do have fat tire /full suspension which does help in some of the areas close to Cairo but would not be a deal breaker without.
This was a great trail. Parking was a little issue on the north end. Next time will park at Heath High School. Loved the peacefulness of the trail, only saw two other people on it today.
Austin Mill Brewing Co now open on Paint Creek Trail just north of Frankfort.
My wife and I have ridden some incredibly beautiful trails so I was a bit skeptical reading the reviews claiming how beautiful this trail is. I am now a believer. The scenery is beautiful with the cliffs up the hillsides but the most impressive feature for us was the sheer number of bird species that we saw but alas did not see. I turned on the Merlin Bird App which identified 12-15 species of birds in the morning. We have never been on a trail with this many bird sounds. We will ride this trail often as it is one to ride during the 4 seasons.
As a WV Native and a fairly avid cyclist I’ve ridden a lot of trails. The Greenbrier River Trail. All of the connecting trails in North Central WV (Mon-River, MCTrail, Deckers Creek) and even the C&O + GAP from DC to Pittsburgh.
While each trail has their pros and cons, *most* rail trails at least have a surface made for hiking or cycling (admittedly, the C&O is often a muddy mess, but I digress..)
The North Bend Trail is excellent for its length, the tunnels, and the overall beauty of nature. But the trail surface is mostly thicker chunky gravel, not the crushed limestone which makes a good trail.
In July 2023 I rode the trail from Parkersburg to Clarksburg one day and Clarksburg back to Parkersburg the next. The thick gravel made for a bumpier ride than every other trail I’ve ridden. On the second day I bumped into somebody who asked if the entire trail was like the chunky gravel they were currently experiencing. When I indicated that most-but-not-all of it was like that, they indicated that they would only ride a few miles and then call it quits and find another trail to enjoy. I couldn’t blame them.
All in all, the length of the trail is its main benefit. But the ride just isn’t smooth. If the surface is ever changed to crushed limestone I’d probably ride it annually. But in its current state, I don’t have a lot of desire to ride it again. The decision to use regular gravel and not crushed limestone was a poor decision.
For those hiking or cycling on a mountain bike with shocks, you won’t notice much. But for those riding a gravel or other hybrid bike without suspension, prepare for your arms to have a workout as the non-stop vibrations will surely impact your ride.
We started at Mile Marker .5 in Chillicothe on a delightful ride through South Eastern Ohio. We stopped after 19 miles at Austin next to a new establishment (Austin Mill) selling beverages and food. This trail is fabulous! We were thrilled to see how well the trail is being maintained; finding the trail quite smooth with normal asphalt separations that had been filled. Yes, there are occasional root bumps; nothing to worry about as the tree canopy provides great shade. Yes, there are a couple of places where the big arrows had faded to direct us but trail sense kept us on trail. Thank you to the three Ohio counties teaming up to make/maintain the memorable bike trail.
This trail is a nice ride and friendly people on trail. Very clean and maintained.
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