Ohio
Looking for the best hiking in Ohio? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Ohio. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Ohio
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Valley View, Ohio
Bike along the Cuyahoga River via Lock 39 Trailhead
5.039.57 mi / 1804 ft gainThe best way to tack the Towpath Trail along the remains of the Ohio and Erie Canal is by peddling it. Start at the Lock 39 Trailhead going south toward the Botzum Trailhead early in the morning before the crowds to ride upstream is the best way to start. Located a little over a mile East of I-77...Read more -
Mentor, Ohio
Hike the Headland Dunes
1 miFrom the parking lots at the far eastern end of Headlands Beach State Park, head to the sign for the Headland Dunes State Nature Preserve, and follow the trail marked with white painted T-posts. The trail is completely on sand, so it's a bit more strenuous than a normal hike due to the sand shift...Read more -
Yellow Springs, Ohio
Rock Climb at John Bryan SP
If you are new to climbing, someone who really enjoys toprope climbing or if you live in west central Ohio and are looking to climb somewhere within a reasonable driving distance, John Bryan State Park is a great option. Equipment is not provided and all climbers are encouraged to use safe climbi...Read more -
Independence, Ohio
Hike Lost Man Pass via Independence Lake
5.04.5 mi / 1200 ft gainPark at the pull out just west of independence pass. From there, begin on the Linkin's Lake Trail. The trail is generally easy to follow (although it can be muddy as it is a wet area) and climbs 900 feet in the 1.8 miles to independence lake. From Independence lake it is about 0.5 miles and 400 f...Read more -
Novelty, Ohio
Hike to Ansel's Cave
1.5 mi / 100 ft gainThe beginning of the hike to Ansel's Cave starts at The West Woods parking lot next to the visitor center. From there, follow the signs noting the Ansel Cave Trail. About 1/4 mile along, the trail splits into two directions; one takes you on the more direct route to Ansel's Cave along a well main...Read more -
Northfield, Ohio
Hike to Contour Falls
4.51 miThis hike begins at the trail-head of Cuyahoga National Park. Once arrived, you will cross a bridge overlooking the Cuyahoga River. You will take the tow-path left, and follow it under the Route 82 bridge (you will pass a manmade waterfall on your right, but still have 0.4 miles to go). You will ...Read more -
Cincinnati, Ohio
Walk around Smale Riverfront and Sawyer Point Parks
4.02.5 mi / 0 ft gainThere are numerous parking lots and street parking available around Smale Riverfront Park. Start your walk on the side closest to Paul Brown Stadium (where the Cincinnati Bengals play). From here you can take a minute to sit on the large swings that look out over the river. Continuing along the...Read more -
Logan, Ohio
Hike to Rose Lake
5.03 mi / 150 ft gainStarting at the main parking lot for Old Man's Cave and the Hocking Hills, follow the Gorge Overlook Trail from the Visitor's Center, staying on top of the rim. About 0.1 mile from the Visitor Center, you'll cross over the gorge on a large trussed bridge. Once across, follow the signs that direct...Read more -
Peninsula, Ohio
Buckeye Towpath Loop
7.77 mi / 860 ft gainPlan to park at the Boston Store Visitor Center. From here, head west on W Boston Mill Road, where you'll pick up the Buckeye Trail just after the train tracks on your left-hand side. Follow the Buckeye Trail crossing over W Boston Mill Road and heading north toward Blue Hen Falls. Continue nort...Read more -
West Jefferson, Ohio
Hike the Darby Creek Trail
4.02.6 mi / 30 ft gainParking at the Whispering Oaks Picnic Area on the west side of the park, start on the Darby Greenway Trail and follow it north across the river until you reach the beginning of the Lake View Trail. This 0.9 mile trail takes you along the largest of the Darby Bend Lakes, and even takes you past a ...Read more -
Perry, Ohio
Hike the Shoreline-Lakeview Loop
1.2 mi / 80 ft gainStarting at the parking lot next to Lake Erie Bluffs brand new 50-foot tall lakefront observation tower, follow the yellow signs noting the Shoreline Trail, a 0.6 mile long trail that follows the beach of Lake Erie. The trail is relatively easy, although sections of it require climbing over drift...Read more -
McArthur, Ohio
Hike Lake Hope's Peninsula Trail
4.03 mi / 300 ft gainSituated in the long-forgotten coal and iron country of Ohio, Lake Hope is a beautiful combination of Ohio's rugged Appalachian foothills and tranquil shoreline.The trail starts at the trailhead parking lot right off of OH SR 278, next to the Hope Iron Furnace. The trail forms a three mile loop t...Read more -
West Union, Ohio
Hike the Buzzard Roost Trail
4.4 mi / 450 ft gainOwned and operated by The Nature Conservancy, Ohio's Edge of Appalachia Preserve is home to over 19,000 acres of protected wilderness and rugged Appalachian terrain. And the greatest prize of the preserve is none other than the Buzzards Roost.Perched atop a slab of resistant limestone roughly 500...Read more -
Rockbridge, Ohio
Hike to Ramona Lake
11 mi / 1600 ft gainStarting at the Creekside Meadows Parking Lot, follow the Creekside Meadows Trail for 0.3 of a mile until it forks into two trails. Follow the left fork towards the road, and as soon as you cross the road, the Cemetery Ridge Trail begins. Once across Clear Creek Road, the trail gains elevation fa...Read more -
Heath, Ohio
Hike the Quarry Rim-Chestnut Trail
5.06 mi / 400 ft gainStarting at the eastern trailhead off of Gratiot Rd, follow the paved Blackhand Trail for 0.2 mile till you arrive at the sign of the Quarry Rim Trail, a 0.9 mile trail that roughly parallels the bike trail, but takes you along the rim of the old sandstone quarry that was in operation in the late...Read more -
Galloway, Ohio
Hike the Darby Creek Greenway
9.6 mi / 50 ft gainStarting your hike from the Cedar Ridge Picnic Area, head north along the Darby Creek Greenway, a well-maintained gravel path that is a multi-use trail alongside cyclists and trail runners. The trail switches between a number of different settings during the 4.7 mile one-way trek, including fores...Read more