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YouTubeAlso, regarding activities for the sister in law, are there any good hiking trails closer than hocking hills or springfield? Is Alum Creek any fun?
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Q&A
Hiking
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Tigertree
771 N. High St.
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I am looking for structured but fun trails, as we'll have two medium sized dogs and an 11 year old with us. I want to make sure we know how far we have strayed from the car. Are there trails there or is it just kind of a big field, because the website makes it look like a big field.
Posted 2 years ago # -
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Blacklick on 256?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Tigertree
771 N. High St.
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For the metroparks trails, I have noticed a lot of them say "pets" so does this mean the ones that are not labeled pets (most of them) are not pet friendly? I don't want to ignite another pet owners vs. people who should be allowed in nature without coming in contact with animals, firestorm, but that is ridiculous.
Posted 2 years ago # -
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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I don't see anything prohibiting pets at Blacklick. And I see people walking dogs on the Alum Creek Trail all the time.
Posted 2 years ago # -
jkostelac
University District
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The Darby Creek Metro Park is good and expansive. http://www.metroparks.net/ParksBattelleDarbyCreek.aspx
Posted 2 years ago # -
mollusk
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I used to hike at Alum Creek SP quite frequently. A good place to park is the gravel area at the intersection of Plumb and Africa Rds. This puts you right in the middle of a ~6 mile figure-8 trail. The north loop is ~2 miles. I like this one in the summer because I've never had a problem with ticks. The south loop has blackberries along the trail though. And you can combine them for a longer hike.
Both loops have a combination of fields, wooded areas, views of the water. It's nice for someplace close to the city.
They are really easy trails to follow and if you take dogs, there are plenty of opportunities for them to swim or get a drink.
Posted 2 years ago # -
B_C_B
Upper Arlington
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I'd stay away from Alum Creek. I went hiking there once but it was just through a field with a grass, and had to cross a muddy section every 100 yards. Although maybe I just took a bad trail.
I would recommend High Banks just north of 270 (on 23 I think). They have some nice trails and views. They allow pets I think (better double check their website) and I would classify the trails as strucured but fun.
Posted 2 years ago # -
howatzer
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Dogs are only allowed on designated "pet trails" at the metro parks. :(
Your best local bet is the pet loop at Highbanks - its about 3 miles through forests and fields. Park at the park headquarters - the trail starts at the east end of the lot. Have fun.
Posted 2 years ago # -
joev
Merion Village
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It's about 2 hours away, but for a real hiking experience, I suggest Shawnee State Forest. Dozens of miles of trail, real wilderness. Just head south on High Street till you get to the Ohio River.
Or Cuyahoga Valley National Park. About 2 hours northeast, between Akron and Cleveland. Beautiful scenery, nice topography, and some stuff do do along the trail, too. Pets must be leashed.
Holmes County has a nice rails to trails program, and the trails are also used by the Amish wishing to stay off the main roads. Very cool.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Manatee
The eternal present
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+1 Highbanks. They have a nice dog loop, as well as something really cool for the 11 yr old-- if you go into the main park building (coincidentally, I think this is right near the trailhead for the dog loop trail, and near the parking as well), they have a replica of a prehistoric fish that was found at Highbanks, hanging from the ceiling. It is huge, and it is scary and awesome. My kid and I never fail to get a shiver from it-- as it's floating up there above our heads, it's almost like Ohio is covered in the Silurian Sea again. Creepy good fun :)
Also, beautiful trails with great flora, lots of hills, ravines, and (maybe not on the dog trail) ancient Native American earthen mounds. Good mix of prairie, riverbed and forest.
If they're coming in on a weekend, hit up the Worthington farmer's market beforehand, it's from 9-12 every saturday and it's awesome and right down the street. That, combined with your obvious downtown expertise, would make a pretty sweet visit :)
Posted 2 years ago # -
Mercurius
First Avenue
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I would recommend Darby and in particular, here:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=39.850556,-83.204141&spn=0.006771,0.016544&z=16&msid=110059938395588402330.00046fbb8b0272430feacIt's a really great trail that isn't quite park but owned by the metro parks. It stretches about 8 1/2 miles and ends at the main metro park. Most of it is along the river. If you are looking for something more mundane, most of the metro parks have "pet trails."
Posted 2 years ago # -
neverwinter
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I am a big fan of Prairie Oaks. It has dog friendly trails. 3 lakes in the dog friendly area, one off leash area(but not fenced in). There are more trails available for you but you can't have dogs in some area's since those are horse areas.
Posted 2 years ago #
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