Member Center

hiking!

Hiking guide - State hiking trails

There is no shortage of interesting places to walk and hike in the Miami Valley.

You can go for the super scenic, such as Clifton Gorge at John Bryan State Park in Greene County or you can take advantage of the many picturesque county, state and MetroParks in the area.

Here are five spots that offer differing degrees of difficulty and a variety of scenery, depending on which trail or loop you choose. - Jim Morris

Caesar Creek State Park

You can start from the state park office or the Corps of Engineers Visitor Center by picking up trail maps. There are about 30 miles of hiking trails that lead you to the interesting areas of the park with many scenic views along the way, including waterfalls, lake vistas and the Caesar Creek Gorge in the state nature preserve.

Taylorsville MetroPark

While all Five Rivers MetroParks offer some type of hiking facilities, perhaps the most interesting is Taylorsville with about 15 miles through the woods and along the old canal bed and Great Miami River. Some of the trails are rugged, but quite a bit is paved and shared by bicyclists.

Charleston Falls

This southern Miami County Park on Ross Road off of Ohio 202 offers a trail suited for people looking for a short, but scenic walk. It covers 2.5 miles, including a boardwalk around and below the 37-foot waterfall.

Sycamore State Park

The picturesque eight miles of trails are set up so you can take short walks or continue on through the entire trail system. Most trails are mowed grass, but there is some moderate climbing.

Glen Helen Nature Preserve

If you like to hike around John Bryan State Park, you might try a hike through nearby Glen Helen Preserve in Greene County. There are 20 miles of trails that show off the scenic woods, waterways, prairies, and fields. It's best to get a 25-cent trail map at the Trailside Museum and visit the unique Glen Helen Raptor Center while you are there.

Things to do