Article provided by Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Now that mild, warmer weather is here, you don’t have to be an avid fitness enthusiast to enjoy time outdoors. In fact, there is a trail system that travels all of Ohio and comes with a comprehensive guide that lets you go at your own pace.
The Buckeye Trail meanders from Troy through Dayton and down to Loveland not far from Cincinnati. After passing through Milford (the first officially designated trail town) the trail heads east through Mt. Orab and into Shawnee State Park and Forest. In between, there are plenty of opportunities to catch a breather and a nice meal or shop along a quaint Main Street.
In 1959, an Ohioan named Merrill Gilfillan wanted to inspire people to be in nature and learn about Ohio’s great outdoors. His vision: to connect a trail from Cincinnati to Lake Erie. The Buckeye Trail Association was formed in 1959 and opened the first 20-mile section of trail near Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County. The final, and current, trail system was completed in 1980. Today, volunteers with the Buckeye Trail Association work to clean, maintain, and improve the trail.
Buckeye Trail Anywhere – an exciting new resource
What if you want to explore Ohio’s outdoors, but you don’t have the ability to visit the trail? That’s where Buckeye Trail Anywhere comes in!
The Buckeye Trail Anywhere is an exciting new guide that lets you track your movement and virtually explore the 1,440-mile-long Buckeye Trail. Whether you’re walking in your neighborhood, in a senior center, or at the gym, you’ll unlock checkpoints that highlight Ohio’s diverse landscapes, rich history, and state properties.
This guide lets you walk or hike at your own pace. YOU get to decide how many steps you need to maneuver the trail. Maybe you’d like to walk around the block and imagine yourself exploring the ancient lakes at Portage Lakes State Park in Akron. Perhaps you’re up for using a treadmill and dreaming of warm summers at the beach at Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve. You’re never stuck in one place while using the Buckeye Trail Anywhere.
Perfect for families and community groups, this free, downloadable guide is designed for walkers and explorers of all ages and abilities. To download and print the Buckeye Trail Anywhere guide, visit ohiodnr.gov/buckeyetrailanywhere.