Local Hikes (Columbus, Ohio)

1. Battelle Darby Creek
Stretched along more than 14 miles of the Big and Little Darby creeks, Battelle Darby Creek is the largest Metro Park with more than 6,500 acres of prairies, fields and forests. The Darby creeks are noted nationally for their tremendous diversity and abundance of both aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals.

Designated state and national scenic rivers, Big and Little Darby Creek are home to over 100 species of fish, five of which are endangered in Ohio. Forty-three species of freshwater mussels live in these waters, eight of which are on the Ohio endangered list.

Metro Parks has restored about 300 acres of prairies using only seeds native to the Darby Plains. The entrance road to the Indian Ridge Picnic Area is a great place to enjoy the splendor of such beauties as purple coneflower, royal catchfly, prairie dock, big bluestem and other wildflowers and grasses.

The park features more than 10 miles of trails and several scenic areas for picnicking.

How to get there:
BATTELLE DARBY CREEK
1775 Darby Creek Drive
Galloway, OH 43119
(southwestern Franklin County)

From I-270 take I-70 west to the Hilliard/Rome exit (91a), go towards New Rome and travel south to West Broad Street. Turn right onto Broad Street (U.S. 40) and travel approximately 4 miles Darby Creek Drive. Turn left on Darby Creek Drive and proceed 3 miles. The main park entrance is on the right.

Link to map:
http://www.metroparks.net/MapBattelle.aspx

2. Highbanks
Highbanks is appropriately named for its massive 100-foot high shale bluffs that tower over the Olentangy State Scenic River. Tributary streams cutting across the bluff have created a number of deep ravines extending into the eastern part of the park.

Ohio and Olentangy shales, often containing outstanding examples of large concretions, are exposed on the bluff face and sides of the ravines. This area has been designated a National Natural Landmark. Visitors will see outstanding examples of oak-hickory, beech-maple and flood plain hardwood forests as they hike the park's 11 miles of trail. Highbanks is also rich in Native American history. The park contains two Adena Indian burial mounds and a prehistoric earthwork.

How to get there:
HIGHBANKS
9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N)
Lewis Center, OH 43035
(northern Franklin & southern Delaware counties)

From I-270, take U.S. 23 north about 3 miles. Entrance is on the left, just before Powell Road.

Link to map:
http://www.metroparks.net/MapHighbanks.aspx



Weekend Backpacking

Zaleski State Forest
The Zaleski State Forest is the second largest forest in the system. The Zaleski State Forest Backpack Trail was established on the forest to provide backpacking opportunities as well as to introduce some scenic and historic aspects of the forest. The Zaleski Backpacking Trail is located wholly within Zaleski State Forest, and is mostly in Vinton County with a small part in Athens County, Ohio. The total trail extends 23.5 miles, and is a loop trail. Cut-throughs and connections enable hikes of 23.5 miles, 15.9 miles, 9.9 miles, or 8.2 miles from the main trail head. The main trailhead is located on Ohio State Route 278, north of the main entrance to Lake Hope State Park, and close to Hope Furnace. The trail may also be accessed off King Hollow Trail, State Route 56, Irish Ridge Road, or from the future Moonville Rail-Trail. There are three backpacking campsites located along the trail. Regulations require registering at the main trailhead before using any of these campsites for overnight stays. There are also two water hydrants located along the trail for backpacker use.

Location - Zaleski State Forest is due south of Logan. The Headquarters is near the village of Zaleski, on State Route 278.
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/forests/zaleski/tabid/5171/Default.aspx

P.O. Box 330, S.R. 278
Zaleski, Ohio 45698-0330
740-596-5781

Shawnee State Forest
You don't have to travel to Tennessee to visit the Smokies-Ohio boasts the less-traveled "Little Smokies." Hike Shawnee's Backpack Trail to enjoy all the fog-fringed views, and don't miss the deep, dark woods of the 8,000-acre Shawnee Wilderness. A series of loops provides options for hikes up to 55 miles, with eight walk-in campsites. Shawnee State Forest, also called "The Little Smokies of Ohio," has developed into the largest of the 20 state forests, with over 60,000 acres. While the Forest is a fantastic recreation feature in Southern Ohio, you should not be surprised to see other activities occurring. The forest is a working forest, managed to provide a variety of multiple uses on a sustained yield basis. Timber harvesting, tree planting, wildlife habitat, forestry research, watershed and soil protection, and production of tree seeds are all in a day's work for forest employees and many local residents. During the spring and fall forest fire danger periods, state forest crews detect and suppress wildfires that occur on state and private lands within the surrounding protection area.

Location - Shawnee State Forest Headquarters is located on U.S. Route 52, near the village of Friendship - west of Portsmouth.
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/forests/shawnee/tabid/5166/Default.aspx

13291 U.S. 52
West Portsmouth, OH
45663-8906
740-858-6685

Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail
Welcome to the Wildcat Hollow Hiking Trail. This trail offers two options; a fifteen mile loop of scenic trail along ridge-tops and stream bottoms, and a short five mile loop for day hikes. Both trails will lead through tall pine forests, open meadows, quiet streams, rock outcroppings, and down old roads overlooking miles of beautiful landscape. You will also pass some of our land management activities. Wildflowers are at their peak in the spring, but we ask that you not pick them so that others may also enjoy them. The hiker who treads softly can often catch glimpses of the wildlife who call the forest home. Bring your binoculars, and enjoy your visit. Water in ponds and streams is unsafe for human consumption. Carry in your water supply.

Location
A trailhead, located approximately 3½ miles from Burr Oak Campground has parking for several vehicles and fire rings. Camping is available at Burr Oak Cove (just off U.S. 13) or the Burr Oak State Park. Camping is also permitted along the trail. If you stay close to the trail, you'll be on National Forest land. Private land is interspersed with National Forest so be mindful to not trespass. No vegetation may be cut or damaged.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wayne/recreation_sites/trails/wildcat_hollow.html


Three Creeks
Named for the confluence where Alum, Big Walnut and Blacklick creeks join, this 1,050-acre park is operated through a partnership of Metro Parks and Columbus Recreation and Parks.

Three Creeks is a major hub in the Franklin County Greenways program, an interconnected system of trails along the 7 major streams in Central Ohio. Hikers, bicyclists and joggers can enjoy 13 miles of trails that parallel the stream corridors as they wind through forests, fields, prairies and wetlands.

Owls, great blue herons and more than 100 species of birds have been sighted. Visitors may catch a glimpse of beaver, mink, coyote, deer and other wildlife as they walk or bike along the trails.Three Creeks features five areas, each with a separate entrance and connected to one another through the Alum Creek Greenways Trail.

How to get there:
THREE CREEKS
3860 Bixby Road
Groveport, OH 43125
(Franklin County)

From I-270, take US 33 east to the South Hamilton Road exit. Turn right and go about 1 mile to Bixby Road and turn right. Entrance is about 1 mile on the right

Link to map:
http://www.metroparks.net/MapThreeCreeks.aspx


Zaleski Backpacking Trail

Trail Highlights:
Several small sandstone recess caves; a small swamp which is home to blue heron, some water snakes, turtles, and other aquatic creatures; the site of an abandoned mining town c. 1870; an Adena religious mound.

Description:
The trail, a 24 mile loop, passes over small hills through a broadleaf forest. The south half of the loop (10 miles) can be completed as a day hike. There are 3 campsites, all with water and pit latrines. Self registration cards and trail maps are available at the trailhead.

Directions:
From Columbus, take US 23 south to SR 56. Follow SR 56 east to SR 278. Take SR 278 south. The trailhead parking lot is on the left side of the road, after 5 miles.