Ohio hikes and sights while we social distance
As you’re 150% aware, we’ve been under stay-at-home orders and restricted rules for social distancing. We’re still allowed outside (yay!) so we’ve been visiting a few not-so-well-known parks and nature preserves for some hiking, as well as canoeing on the open water. This has been a welcome way to get fresh air and some exercise, while also keeping our distance.
If you’ve been reading me for awhile, you may have heard me mention one of my favorite blogs for Ohio hiking. Almost every trail in Ohio can be found on this site, and it comes with detailed information on how to get there and what you’ll see. It’s 100% my style because I want all the details. It’s called TrekOhio. You can select the county you live in and get regional guides to hikes. It’s one of my go-tos!
They even have a post about hiking during the Pandemic, and includes information on which trails are closed. All of Hocking Hills (including Conkles Hollow) are closed, because of how many people go there. But there are so many other beautiful places to go!
Here are a few places we’ve checked out over the last few months:
Buzzard’s Roost, Earl H. Barnhart Nature Preserve
We’ve been here before, but it was a long time ago. We wanted to check it out again. It was as beautiful as I remember, and the view of the valley from the end of the South Point Lookout trail hike is stunning. It’s a bit muddy and steep, but actually a rather short hike. (Oh and dogs are allowed!)
Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve
We followed TrekOhio’s guide for this hike through the abandoned interurban line. It’s a super cool area, and it’s right by the water. We saw 4 other people when we were there for over an hour. It’s a simple hike, but well-worth it!
Walnut Woods Metro Park (Tall Pines Area)
We ran into a lot more people here, but we love seeing the tall pines. You forget for a minute you’re in Ohio and think you’ve traveled out west. (Only for a minute, but I treasure that minute when I can’t actually go out west.) It’s a great, flat hike through the area on a well-paved trail.
Canoeing at Hoover Dam
There were so many people on top of the dam, it was unbelievable. But we launched our canoe from a less-populated area, and enjoyed a scenic, and sunny ride.
Canoeing at Alum Creek Reservoir
They have the “Cadillac” launch, making it fool-proof to get your canoe in and out of the water without tipping. There aren’t any houses on the banks of this, so it’s a lot of wildlife, birds, and trees. I can’t wait to go back when the trees have greened up.
That’s what we’ve done so far, but I have a list of some other places we’re going to check out. I’ll keep you posted in case your’e interested in some fresh air and looking at something other than a Zoom call, Netflix or your neighbor mowing their lawn.