BIKING TRAILS
WIND THROUGH OHIO’S LANDSCAPE

Opportunities abound for the occasional or avid biker

May is National Bike Month, making it the perfect time to cruise Ohio’s scenic bike trails. Whether you require the bumps and hills for mountain biking, or the flat paved trail for a leisurely ride – Ohio’s diverse terrain offers a variety of biking opportunities. Trails can be found in ever corner of the state, traveling through dense forests, farmland, cities and towns, and state parks.

Mountain biking can be an exhilarating and challenging sport and Ohio’s state parks and forests offer trails of varying length and degrees of difficulty to accommodate both the beginner and advanced rider alike. Thirty Ohio state parks offer more than 250 miles of biking trails, both paved and more rough terrain. And many parks offer bicycle rentals in the camp office or at other concession areas, including Hueston Woods State Park in Preble and Butler counties. 

One of the state’s newest mountain biking trails can be found in Mohican State Park and Forest. The 8.5-mile trail opened April 9. Other mountain biking trails worth checking out include: the two-mile South Bike Trail at Alum Creek State Park in Delaware County, which features open areas and low hills; with its open areas and low hills; Scenic Lake Hope State Park in Vinton County, which offers trails for riders of all skill levels. Parts of the its 14-mile trail system meander into adjacent Zaleski State Forest; and East Fork State Park in Clermont County, which offers a short two mile trail with a mixture of flat, smooth stretches and twisting turns through a wood area.

For a smooth, paved ride, consider the following biking trails: The Little Miami Scenic Bikeway offers about 50 miles of easy riding on paved trail along the Little Miami River. The trail, a converted abandoned railroad right-of-way, averages 66 feet in width and runs through four counties of southwest Ohio (Greene, Warren, Clermont and Hamilton). Quail Hollow State Park in Stark County offers a scenic 4-mile linear trail through forest meadow and pine woods and is easy to moderate in difficulty. The trail provides access to surrounding roads allowing cyclists to complete a 7-mile loop with paved and unpaved segments.

Spring is the perfect time of year to undertake a new sport. Why not try biking for the fun, the exercise and the opportunity to explore Ohio’s scenic outdoors!

Some tips to remember when biking include:

• Always wear a helmet: Of all the pieces of biking equipment you buy (next to the bike), your helmet is the most important
• Stick to the trail: Leaving it causes damage to the surrounding area and risks injury to yourself
• Bring an adequate supply of water. Remember, you’re exercising and its important to keep your body hydrated
• Keep an eye out for holes, dips, rocks or other trail obstructions
• Be courteous to other trail users
• And, when possible, ride with a friend.

Page Updated 5/2/05