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Ohio

Looking for the best running 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 Running Spots in and near Ohio

  • Peninsula, Ohio

    Brandywine Falls

    4.5
    3.66 mi / 600 ft gain
    CVNP only has one designated camping area with five sites, located behind the Stanford House. The Conservancy for CVNP runs the reservations, and they fill up quickly so plan ahead (I made my reservation about 2 months in advance, and it was the earliest I could get in). There is a parking lot at...
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  • Peninsula, Ohio

    Ledges Trail

    4.8
    2.34 mi / 210 ft gain
    Drive and park in the area shown on the map. If you are in the parking lot near a big open field, you made it to the right place. There are two ways to take the trail from here, south or north. I suggest that you go North first (towards the shelter area). Follow this trail into the woods and ...
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  • South Bloomingville, Ohio

    Explore Ash Cave

    5.0
    0.5 mi
    Getting to Ash Cave is extremely easy with a short quarter-mile hike from the parking area; there's also a rim trail above the cave that adds 90 feet of elevation and some extra distance. The cave is great for relaxing in the shade during a hot day, enjoying a spring picnic, or grabbing some imag...
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  • Swanton, Ohio

    Hike the Scout Trail at Oak Openings Preserve

    4.0
    The Scout Trail at Oak Openings Preserve Metropark in Swanton, Ohio is an easy hike that covers a lot of beautiful ground! I love this hike and do it several times each season (REALLY recommend the fall for the gorgeous colors!). I am constantly surprised by how few people take advantage of this ...
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  • Youngstown, Ohio

    Hike the Gorge Trail Loop

    5.0
    2 mi
    This is a lovely 2 mile hike along Mill Creek. We parked by Lake Newport and started off on the West Gorge Trail toward the Mill. The trail itself was decent, with some rough spots, but still hike able. Make sure you go down to the Creek before you head across the covered bridge to the East Gorge...
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  • Lewis Center, Ohio

    Hike the Overlook-Dripping Rock Loop

    5.0
    4.8 mi / 100 ft gain
    Starting at the nature center near the entrance of the park, the 2.5 mile long Dripping Rock Trail heads off in two directions, to the south and to the west. Either way will take you back to the nature center at the end of the day. Going west takes you past an observation deck and then along a de...
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  • Peninsula, Ohio

    Towpath Trail via Oak Hill Road

    4.0
    3.29 mi / 259 ft gain
    The trail starts just south of Indigo Lake along the Towpath Trail near Akron. Head north on the cinder towpath towards Indigo Lake and past the beaver marsh all along the Cuyahoga River. The trail is heavily wooded but runs along the winding road and bike lane that goes through the park, every s...
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  • Washington County, Ohio

    Hike to Irish Run Natural Bridge

    9.5 mi
    To begin, park next to the cemetery located on T-411 in Wayne National Forest. The trail begins on the north side of the cemetery and leads into the woods from there. In less than a 1/4 mile the trail forks into two separate trails, being both the beginning and terminus of the Archers Fork Loop T...
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  • Chillicothe, Ohio

    Hike the Shawnee Ridge Trail

    10 mi
    Starting at the northern parking lot, head south along the Shawnee Ridge Trail. Several spur and loop trails intersect the trail along the 10 mile out-and-back hike. Many of these spur trails include difficult hikes up large hills like Sugarloaf Mountain, Sand Hill, and Mt. Ives. At each trail in...
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  • Independence, Ohio

    Hike Mountain Boy Ridge from the Top of Independence Pass

    5.0
    6 mi
    The trailhead is to the Independence Pass viewing deck is located at the Summit parking area, which is about 20 miles from Aspen and 24 miles west of Highway 24 on the Leadville side. At the parking area you will notice a paved walkway that takes you to the viewdeck, which is a easy five minute w...
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  • Grove City, Ohio

    Hike through Scioto Grove Metro Park

    4.0
    7 mi
    New in May 2016, the Scioto Grove Metro Park has about 600 acres of land in Grove City, OH. There are more than 7 total miles of connecting trails as well as picnic areas and jungle gyms.Easy to navigate, there are park maps at all major trail junctions, which makes this hike enjoyable for all. ...
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  • Valley View, Ohio

    Bike along the Cuyahoga River via Lock 39 Trailhead

    5.0
    39.57 mi / 1804 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Heath, Ohio

    Blackhand Trail

    8.6 mi
    Both the eastern and western trailhead have ample parking and access to the Blackhand Trail, which winds its way along the banks of the Licking River for a 4.3 mile one way trip.  While the trail isn't terribly long, it makes up for it in its scenery, staying within eyesight of the Licking River...
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  • Galloway, Ohio

    Hike the Darby Creek Greenway

    9.6 mi / 50 ft gain
    Starting 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...
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  • Plain City, Ohio

    Run the Ironweed Trail in Glacier Ridge Metro Park

    4.0
    2.8 mi
    From the main entrance on the north side of the park, the Ironweed Trail connects the northern, more wooded section of the park with the wetlands to the south. This 2.8 mile one-way trail is paved, making cycling, running, and hiking an easy activity. The topography of the park also makes it easy...
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  • Vandalia, Ohio

    Waterfall Loop at Englewood MetroPark

    5.0
    2.25 mi
    This adventure begins at a parking lot within the Englewood East MetroPark, right at the trailhead for the white trail. Begin the hike into the woods, following the well-marked path through points 1 and 2. Continue straight on the white path until you hit point 7, where you will switch over to th...
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