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Ohio used to run on railroads, and many of those old lines still cut through farm fields, river valleys, and deep woods. Today, a lot of them are flat, car-free trails where the loudest thing around might be a woodpecker.
These paths are free to use, easy on the knees, and close to almost every corner of the state. Here are 11 rail trails that trade honking horns for river views, old bridges, and plenty of birds.
1. Kokosing Gap Trail
Trains rolled along this corridor on the old New York Central line until around the late 1960s or early 1970s. Now the same route is about 14 miles of smooth pavement near Mount Vernon in Knox County.
The Kokosing River stays close for much of the ride, and old bridges carry the trail over the water. Shade covers long stretches, so it stays pleasant on warmer days.
Railroad fans will spot a train and a train station look-alike along the way. The trail also passes the Brown Family Environmental Center, a nice spot to slow down and look for wildlife.
Practical stuff is easy here. The trail is open 24 hours, parking is free, and there are picnic tables and public restrooms.
Anglers sometimes bring a rod, since the river is reachable at spots along the path.
2. Firelands Rails to Trails, Monroeville, OH
Here is a fun twist for train lovers. Part of this route runs right next to an active railroad line, so you can watch freight roll by from a quiet path.
The Firelands trail system covers about 25 miles of crushed stone in north central Ohio, with Monroeville as a handy starting point. Mile markers and rest stops help you plan how far to go.
Sun and shade trade places along the way, which keeps the scenery changing. Dogs are welcome, and kids can handle the easy grade.
Hours run from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. Weekend mornings tend to be busiest, so a Tuesday morning visit may give you more of the path to yourself.
3. B&O Bike Trail, Bellville, OH
Beaver dams are not something most people expect on a bike ride. On the B&O Bike Trail, you might pass a couple of them.
Built along the old Baltimore and Ohio railroad line, this Richland County trail starts in the small town of Bellville. It mixes a lake, a winding river, and several bridges into one ride.
Birdwatching is a big draw, and the wildlife variety keeps things interesting. I would bring binoculars on this one.
There are plenty of trailheads and restrooms along the route. Dogs are welcome outside, and weekdays are usually much quieter than Saturdays.
4. Hocking Adena Bikeway Trailhead
Start behind a train depot and finish in a college town. That is the simple pitch for this 20-mile paved path between Nelsonville and Athens.
The trailhead sits behind the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway Depot in Nelsonville. From there, the flat route rolls through the wooded Hocking Valley of southeast Ohio.
Even the first stretch toward State Route 691 has plenty to look at. Birdwatchers will find the quiet woods and open patches worth slowing down for.
The path is well maintained, and leashed dogs are welcome outside. It works for a short stroll or a full one-way ride if someone can pick you up in Athens.
5. Wabash Cannonball Trail
If the name rings a bell, it should. This northwest Ohio trail follows a corridor once used by the historic Wabash Railroad.
Based in Montpelier, the Wabash Cannonball Trail stretches more than 32 miles through Williams County and beyond. That makes it one of the longer rides on this list.
The surface varies in places, so riders with skinny road tires may prefer to plan a shorter section. Walkers and birdwatchers have no trouble enjoying the open farm country.
Hours are listed as 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Mornings are usually quiet, which is good timing for spotting birds along the field edges.
6. Moonville Rail Trail, McArthur, OH
Few trails in Ohio feel this far from everything. The Moonville Rail Trail follows an old rail bed through the remote woods of Zaleski State Forest in Vinton County.
Trains once rumbled through these hills. Today the path is flat and smooth enough for easy walking, even for younger hikers.
The appeal is the forest itself. Long stretches of woodland make it a good choice for anyone who wants real quiet instead of a busy suburban path.
Dogs are welcome outside. Weekday afternoons tend to be calm, so plan a midweek trip if solitude is the goal.
7. Heritage Rail trail, Hilliard, OH
Wild grapes grow along the edges of this trail, which is a fun detail for a path just outside Columbus.
The Heritage Rail Trail in Hilliard runs about 7 miles on a flat surface. It feels like a country ride, even though city streets are not far away.
Paved side paths branch off along the way, so curious riders can explore a bit more. Families will like how manageable the distance is.
It is open 24 hours, and dogs are welcome. For Central Ohio folks, this is an easy after-work option with no long drive.
8. Chippewa Rail Trail parking lot, Chippewa Lake, OH
Country roads around Medina County can be fast and narrow, with no berm to speak of. That is a big reason this paved trail is so handy.
The Chippewa Lake trailhead offers a clean, free parking lot with accessible spaces. A port-a-potty is on site too.
The trail is paved, relatively flat, and scenic, and it is used year-round for walking, running, and biking. Kids and dogs are welcome.
Hours run from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Weekday mornings and evenings are often quieter than Monday afternoons.
9. Ohio to Erie Trail, Sunbury, OH
One trail, two big bodies of water. The Ohio to Erie Trail is a cross-state route connecting the Ohio River to Lake Erie, covering roughly 326 miles.
The Sunbury section in Delaware County gives Columbus-area riders a quick way to sample it. Expect a mix of asphalt, limestone, and dirt here, so wider tires help.
Countryside stretches make it a good pick for birdwatching. It is open 24 hours, and dogs are welcome outside.
Many people treat this section as a test run before tackling a longer piece of the full route.
10. Glenmont Trailhead, Ohio to Erie Trail, Glenmont, OH
Most rail trails are pancake flat. The Glenmont stretch has a steady climb of about 3 miles, and the ride back down is the reward.
Glenmont sits in Holmes County, right in Ohio’s Amish Country. The paved trail winds through rolling hills and some of the most striking scenery on the whole Ohio to Erie route.
Parking is free, both in the lot and on the street. Dogs are welcome outside.
Pair a ride here with a stop in nearby Amish Country towns for a full fall day trip.
11. Ohio to Erie Trail (Landen/Maineville Section), Maineville, OH
Cincinnati-area riders, this one is yours. The Landen and Maineville section follows the Little Miami River, a National and State Scenic River.
The paved path is level and well maintained, with forest on one side and river views on the other. River access makes it easy to stop and look around.
Food stops pop up along the wider corridor, which helps on longer rides. It is open 24 hours, and dogs are welcome outside.
Saturday afternoons are busiest. Weekday mornings tend to be calm, with mostly river and wind for company.
