Day One on the Appalachian Trail is fast approaching, but while I’m still at home I thought I would share with you my 4 favorite places to backpack right here in Ohio. Maybe some of you have hiked these trails as well. If not, these are a great place to start.
1. The Twin Valley Trail
The TVT (Twin Valley Trail) is located in Germantown, about 15 miles southwest of Dayton. This is by far the easiest backpacking trail on my list. In fact, 1.75 miles of it is through a park on a paved bike trail. There are 3 backcountry camping areas with outhouses which must be reserved through the metroparks.org website. Trails are well-maintained and the hills are not too steep. You hike along a river and pass by several small ponds as you travel through woodland areas and meadows. There is also a section of road walking, so be aware of traffic in this section. The biggest surprise is the number and variety of songbirds found here. At one of the campsites my husband and I awoke to what sounded like a hundred singing birds — which we fondly refer to as the “morning chorus” — so don’t plan on sleeping in! I also highly recommend participating in the TVT Challenge held each year in June. This is an opportunity to hike anywhere between 1 and 30 miles in a single day. It’s free, but donations are encouraged to support trail maintenance costs. Water, snack stations, and shuttles back to the start are available at many points along the way.
2. The Mohican State Park and Memorial Forest
The trails that I hike most often are in Mohican State Park and Memorial Forest. For day hikes, my favorite route is an out-and-back starting at the Gorge Overlook, which starts with an immediate descent. Then, I cross the swinging bridge, make my way past a group of primitive campsites, and follow the road to the covered bridge. I then cross over to the trail going to Big and Little Lyons Falls and usually continue on to the Pleasant Hill Dam in time for a lunch break and then return to the start. For overnights, I use the park & pack sites and hike along the backpacking and equestrian trails. There are several trails from which to choose, so I usually try to create a route that gives me sufficient training miles to reach my chosen campsites. Each of these sites are within a mile of a parking area, so if you want a short trip this is a good option. These spots must be reserved in advance through the Ohio State Parks reservation system online, It is a little tricky to navigate this system, but it is free and guarantees your spot. There are no outhouses, so be prepared to dig a cathole. Water is plentiful along these trails and be prepared to do multiple water crossings since there are no bridges in the state forest sections. Also note that hunting is allowed in all of the Ohio state forests, so pay attention to the seasons, stay on trail and wear bright-colored clothing. The terrain here is a bit more challenging, but not technical. If you have a fear of heights, be aware that you do have to climb a ladder on the steep side of the Gorge Overlook Trail.
3. Zaleski State Forest
Another good option is the Selinde Rosenburg Memorial Backpacking Trail in Zaleski State Park near Hocking Hills. These trails are a bit more challenging, especially in the spring when there is a lot of mud. It is by far the most popular backpacking option in Ohio. It’s very busy on weekends and during the fall when the leaves are changing and the weather is cool. Even so, I hiked here for over three days in late November and never saw anyone else on the trails. The steep terrain is good for training and there are some nice overlooks and interesting rock formations for you to enjoy. One of my favorite features is the Hope Iron Furnace, and the park is also close to the historic Moonville Tunnel. Each of the designated camp areas have room for multiple tents and have water spigots and outhouses. It’s not recommended that you filter water from the streams in this area because of fears that the water has been contaminated by past mining activities. One good thing is that you don’t have to reserve your campsites in advance. You just park by the old schoolhouse, go to the registration kiosk to fill out your itinerary, and then drop it in the box before you set off on your adventure.
4. Shawnee State Forest
Shawnee State Forest, known as the Little Smokies of Ohio, is the best place to go if you really want a challenging location to train for a thru-hike. You could easily plan a 5 to 6 day trip if you choose to do both the north and the south loops. Registration is the same process as Zaleski. Make sure you have a navigation app like All Trails because sometimes it’s difficult to stay on the trail, especially in areas where there are logging operations. Trails are a mixture of easy, steep, and technical. Be prepared to expect some surprises along the way too. The outhouse at Camp 1 has no floor and the one at Camp 6 has no door, but hopefully these will be fixed someday soon. You also have to do some pretty steep rock climbs and stream crossings in or out of Camp 6. Like Zaleski, water is available from spigots along the trail but check the maps because sometimes the water supply is a mile or more away from the camping areas. Sections of the trail here share routes with the North Country, American Discovery, and Buckeye Trails, and there some beautiful scenic overlooks and forest areas. In the summer, be prepared for ticks, chiggers, and rattlesnakes. Use insect repellant and treat your clothes with Permethrin. This trail is difficult but rewarding, and probably the best option in Ohio to prepare for mountain backpacking.
Bonus Day Hike: The Clearfork Valley Scenic Trail
The Clearfork Valley Scenic Trail in Richland is not too far from Mohican but is much less well-known. I love it for its mix of challenging elevation gain, Eagles Nest Overlook, Hemlock Falls, pine groves and an old growth forest, and the beautiful prairie with native wildflowers. This trail is generally well-maintained but rarely travelled. I almost never see other hikers except at the waterfall area. You do have to park and then do some road walking to get to the trailhead, but it’s worth it. The only downside is there are no restroom facilities, not even porta potties, so bring your potty pack. It might also be a good idea to stop at the Mohican Lodge or welcome center for a bathroom break before you tackle this one.
I hope some of you are able to get out and experience one or more of these places for yourselves. Pictures never truly capture the beauty of God’s creation.
