Here in Ohio, there’s no shortage of hiking trails. When you want to get out and enjoy the day, hiking in Ohio is the perfect way to do just that.
When you want a little more adventure than the average hiking trail, consider hiking a trail that leads somewhere historic—or even ancient. The following are 9 of our favorite Ohio hiking trails that lead to some incredible pieces of history. See how many you need to add to your bucket list:
- Moonville Rail Trail (McArthur)
Moonville Rail Trail Association/Facebook Stretching across Vinton County and ending in Athens County is a historic rail trail that’s still in its developing stages. Along the Moonville Rail Trail, you’ll find the infamous Moonville Tunnel and what’s left of its surrounding ghost town. Today, little remains of Moonville and its abandoned surroundings. Trains passed through the area until the mid-1980s, even though the last family left the town in the mid-1940s.
- The Ledges Trail (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
Benjamin Lehman/Flickr The Ledges Trail at Ohio’s only national park is a must-do. More than 400 million years ago, this area of the park was actually covered by an ancient sea. Melting glaciers helped to form what are now captivating ledges you can hike through.
- Towpath Trail (Metroparks Toledo)
metroparkstoledo.com Part of the Buckeye Trail System, this 8.3-mile trail follows remains of the Miami and Erie Canal. Note: Bikes are allowed on this trail.
- The Valley Trail (Ault Park)
Brad B./Yelp The Valley Trail at Ault Park in Cincinnati features an abandoned railroad bridge from the late 1800s. The trail is a little more than half a mile, so getting there doesn’t take long. (It starts at the bottom of the hill on Observatory Avenue, which is on the left side of the street as you’re entering the park.) The abandoned railroad bridge once carried trains running between Cincinnati and Portsmouth. This was a route that was first established in 1878.
- Stone House Loop Trail (Salt Fork State Park)
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr This 1.8 mile-long moderate trail takes you to the Kennedy Stone House, which is a hidden gem listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail (New Philadelphia)
Jon Dawson/Flickr Spanning south to north, from Tuscawaras County to Cuyahoga County and Lake Erie, this 101-mile long bike trail follows the path of the Ohio & Erie Canal built in the 1800s. Each section is gorgeous, so no matter what stretch you cycle on, you’ll take in some great views along the way.
- The Buckeye Trail to Tadmor (Taylorsville MetroPark)
Jim Grey/Flickr Within Taylorsville MetroPark near Dayton you can hike (via the Buckeye Trail) to remnants of what was once an important transportation town until the flood of 1913. The canals that were once used as part of the Miami Erie Canal in the 1800s became obsolete, and the railroad was moved to higher ground after the flood.
- Indian Mound Reserve trails (Cedarville)
Becker 1999/Flickr The 166-acre Indian Mound Reserve in Cedarville features several hiking trails less than a mile, managed by the Greene County Park District. (We recommend taking the .6-mile Upper Rim Trail to Cedar Cliff Falls after you’ve explored the mounds.)
- The North Shore Loop Trail (Kelleys Island State Park)
Gryfudd/Trip Advisor The North Shore Loop Trail within Kelleys Island State Park weaves through much of the the island’s quarry history and ruins. It’s a 1-mile trail with so much to see along the way. You’ll find the trailhead near the boat ramp parking lot.
Have you hiked any of these trails before? What other trails and ruins would you add to this list? Share your thoughts and experiences with us!
Moonville Rail Trail Association/Facebook
Stretching across Vinton County and ending in Athens County is a historic rail trail that’s still in its developing stages. Along the Moonville Rail Trail, you’ll find the infamous Moonville Tunnel and what’s left of its surrounding ghost town. Today, little remains of Moonville and its abandoned surroundings. Trains passed through the area until the mid-1980s, even though the last family left the town in the mid-1940s.
Benjamin Lehman/Flickr
The Ledges Trail at Ohio’s only national park is a must-do. More than 400 million years ago, this area of the park was actually covered by an ancient sea. Melting glaciers helped to form what are now captivating ledges you can hike through.
metroparkstoledo.com
Part of the Buckeye Trail System, this 8.3-mile trail follows remains of the Miami and Erie Canal. Note: Bikes are allowed on this trail.
Brad B./Yelp
The Valley Trail at Ault Park in Cincinnati features an abandoned railroad bridge from the late 1800s. The trail is a little more than half a mile, so getting there doesn’t take long. (It starts at the bottom of the hill on Observatory Avenue, which is on the left side of the street as you’re entering the park.) The abandoned railroad bridge once carried trains running between Cincinnati and Portsmouth. This was a route that was first established in 1878.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
This 1.8 mile-long moderate trail takes you to the Kennedy Stone House, which is a hidden gem listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Jon Dawson/Flickr
Spanning south to north, from Tuscawaras County to Cuyahoga County and Lake Erie, this 101-mile long bike trail follows the path of the Ohio & Erie Canal built in the 1800s. Each section is gorgeous, so no matter what stretch you cycle on, you’ll take in some great views along the way.
Jim Grey/Flickr
Within Taylorsville MetroPark near Dayton you can hike (via the Buckeye Trail) to remnants of what was once an important transportation town until the flood of 1913. The canals that were once used as part of the Miami Erie Canal in the 1800s became obsolete, and the railroad was moved to higher ground after the flood.
Becker 1999/Flickr
The 166-acre Indian Mound Reserve in Cedarville features several hiking trails less than a mile, managed by the Greene County Park District. (We recommend taking the .6-mile Upper Rim Trail to Cedar Cliff Falls after you’ve explored the mounds.)
Gryfudd/Trip Advisor
The North Shore Loop Trail within Kelleys Island State Park weaves through much of the the island’s quarry history and ruins. It’s a 1-mile trail with so much to see along the way. You’ll find the trailhead near the boat ramp parking lot.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
