Barry PhilipsColumbus, Ohio, may be better known for its vibrant neighborhoods, universities, restaurants, and sports culture, but the city and surrounding Central Ohio region also offer an impressive variety of hiking opportunities. From peaceful woodland paths and riverfront trails to rugged terrain, waterfalls, wetlands, and scenic overlooks, there are plenty of places to enjoy the outdoors without traveling far from the city.
The Central Ohio Greenways system alone includes more than 230 miles of multi-use trails, while the Columbus-area Metro Parks provide an extensive network of hiking routes through forests, prairies, wetlands, ravines, and river corridors.
Whether you are an experienced hiker looking for a challenging route or a beginner searching for an easy nature walk, Columbus has something worth exploring.
Here are some of the best hiking trails in Columbus, OH, and the surrounding area.
Top Hiking Trails In Columbus OH
1. Highbanks Metro Park
Highbanks Metro Park is one of the best places to go hiking near Columbus, especially if you want a combination of woodland scenery, elevation changes, river views, and interesting geological features.
Located north of Columbus, Highbanks is particularly known for its dramatic bluffs overlooking the Olentangy River. The park contains several trails, including the popular Dripping Rock Trail, which offers approximately 2.5 miles of forest hiking and views of a ravine.
The terrain is more interesting than you might expect from Central Ohio’s generally gentle landscape. Hikers can experience wooded sections, ravines, hills, and scenic overlooks.
Highbanks is a great choice for families, casual hikers, photographers, and anyone who wants a relatively convenient escape into nature.
Best for: Scenic views, forests, families, and moderate hiking.
2. Quarry Trails Metro Park
Quarry Trails Metro Park is one of the most distinctive outdoor destinations in the Columbus area. Developed around a former quarry landscape, the park combines dramatic rock formations, woodland areas, a lake, trails, and a waterfall.
One of its highlights is the Millikin Falls Trail, a 0.6-mile trail leading toward a 25-foot waterfall and scenic overlook. The trail includes steep steps at the beginning, making it a particularly rewarding short hike.
Other routes include the North-South Connector Trail, Flat Rock Trail, Kestrel Trail, Lake View Trail, Redback Loop Trail, and Tall Wall Trail.
Because several trails are relatively short and easy, Quarry Trails works well if you want to combine hiking with sightseeing rather than spend an entire day on a long backcountry route.
Best for: Waterfalls, unique scenery, short hikes, and families.
3. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is an excellent destination for hikers who enjoy large natural areas and varied landscapes. The park lies southwest of Columbus and features forests, prairies, wetlands, and the Darby Creek corridor.
The Darby Creek Trail is part of the wider Central Ohio trail network. The complete trail is approximately 8.3 miles, with sections running through Battelle Darby Creek and Prairie Oaks Metro Parks.
For hikers wanting something more scenic than a conventional paved urban trail, Battelle Darby Creek is an excellent option. The park provides opportunities to experience open landscapes alongside wooded areas.
The park is also a strong choice for wildlife enthusiasts because of its diverse habitats.
Best for: Nature lovers, wildlife, long walks, and varied scenery.
4. Clear Creek Metro Park
For hikers looking for a more challenging experience within reasonable driving distance of Columbus, Clear Creek Metro Park deserves serious consideration.
The park is known for its forests, ridges, valleys, and rugged terrain. The Cemetery Ridge Trail is approximately 2.5 miles and includes a steep climb toward the ridge. The route passes through mature forest and eventually opens into meadowland.
Clear Creek is especially attractive during autumn, when the changing leaves create colorful scenery across the forest.
Unlike some of the flatter trails around Columbus, Clear Creek gives hikers a stronger sense of elevation and wilderness.
Best for: Experienced hikers, elevation changes, solitude, and fall foliage.
5. Scioto Audubon Metro Park
If you want an outdoor experience without traveling far from downtown Columbus, Scioto Audubon Metro Park is one of the best options.
The park sits along the Scioto River and connects to the broader Scioto Greenway trail system. The Scioto Trail stretches approximately 10 miles and passes through the heart of Columbus alongside the river.
This area is especially appealing because it combines urban accessibility with natural scenery. You can enjoy river views, greenery, birds, and open spaces while remaining close to downtown.
It is a particularly good option for beginners and people who want a relaxing walk rather than a demanding wilderness hike.
Best for: Beginners, urban hiking, river views, and quick outdoor escapes.
6. Blacklick Woods Metro Park
Blacklick Woods Metro Park in Reynoldsburg provides a peaceful woodland hiking experience east of Columbus.
Its Multipurpose Trail is approximately 2.8 miles and passes through forest and meadow. The trail is rated easy and uses gravel surfaces.
The park also connects with the much longer Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail. That greenway extends for approximately 16 miles and connects several parks, including Blacklick Woods, Pickerington Ponds, and Three Creeks.
This makes Blacklick Woods useful for both casual walkers and people interested in longer-distance outings.
Best for: Forest hiking, beginners, families, and longer trail connections.
7. Sharon Woods Metro Park
Sharon Woods is another popular hiking destination in the Columbus metropolitan area. Located in Westerville, the park combines wooded areas, fields, water features, and several recreational facilities.
The park’s Multipurpose Trail is a 3.8-mile moderate loop that passes through woods and fields. It is also designated for hiking, biking, and pets.
Sharon Woods is particularly convenient for people living in northern Columbus and nearby suburbs. Its relatively accessible trail network makes it suitable for a weekend morning hike or a relaxed afternoon outdoors.
Best for: Families, moderate hiking, woodland scenery, and suburban accessibility.
8. Pickerington Ponds Metro Park
Pickerington Ponds Metro Park is one of the better choices around Columbus for hikers who want to combine walking with birdwatching.
The Killdeer Trail is approximately 1.1 miles and leads toward an observation deck overlooking Pintail Marsh. The area is known for birdlife, including bald eagles, osprey, and waterfowl.
The trail is relatively easy, making it accessible to beginners and families. Instead of looking for steep climbs or technical terrain, visitors come here for peaceful walking and wildlife observation.
Bring binoculars if birdwatching is part of your outdoor experience.
Best for: Birdwatching, wildlife, families, and easy hiking.
9. Scioto Grove Metro Park
Scioto Grove Metro Park offers a more natural trail experience along the Scioto River. One of its notable routes is the REI River Trail, approximately 1.8 miles long.
The trail passes through wooded areas and follows the river, with features including a rope swing bridge and stepping stones across a small stream. Metro Parks describes the trail as an easy primitive route.
Scioto Grove is especially appealing if you prefer trails that feel less developed than paved urban greenways.
It is also a pet-friendly destination, making it a popular choice for people who enjoy hiking with their dogs.
Best for: River scenery, dogs, families, and primitive trails.
10. Slate Run Metro Park
Slate Run Metro Park, southeast of Columbus, is another excellent option for people searching for hiking trails surrounded by nature.
The park provides a combination of forests, fields, wetlands, and historical features. Its varied landscapes make it a good destination for visitors who want more than a simple paved walking route.
The surrounding countryside also gives Slate Run a quieter atmosphere than many trails located directly inside the city.
For hikers willing to drive a little farther from downtown Columbus, Slate Run can make an enjoyable half-day outdoor excursion.
Best for: Nature exploration, peaceful hiking, families, and weekend trips.
11. Three Creeks Metro Park
Three Creeks Metro Park is located southeast of Columbus and takes its name from the meeting of three waterways: Alum Creek, Big Walnut Creek, and Blacklick Creek.
The park provides a combination of wooded areas, wetlands, waterways, and open spaces. It also connects to the broader Central Ohio trail network.
One major advantage of Three Creeks is its connection to the Blacklick Creek Greenway. The larger greenway system allows visitors to travel between several parks and explore significantly more mileage than a single short loop.
Best for: Trail exploration, waterways, longer walks, and nature photography.
12. Glacier Ridge Metro Park
Glacier Ridge Metro Park, northwest of Columbus, is a strong option for hikers who enjoy open landscapes, fields, woods, and wildlife.
The park includes the Ironweed Trail and the Marsh Hawk Trail. The Marsh Hawk Trail is approximately 3.7 miles and forms an easy loop through woods and fields.
The landscape here is different from the heavily wooded hiking areas around Columbus. Its open spaces provide excellent opportunities for observing birds and other wildlife.
It is particularly attractive during warmer months when the fields and meadows are active with wildlife.
Best for: Wildlife watching, easy hiking, meadows, and birding.
13. Walnut Woods Metro Park
Walnut Woods Metro Park provides another relaxing outdoor destination southeast of Columbus.
The park is characterized by mature trees, open areas, and peaceful trails. Its Sweetgum Trail has been highlighted by Central Ohio hiking enthusiasts as an appealing route for walking throughout the year.
Walnut Woods is a good choice when your primary goal is relaxation rather than completing a difficult hike.
The combination of shade, woodland scenery, and relatively accessible trails makes it suitable for casual outdoor recreation.
Best for: Relaxing walks, mature trees, families, and year-round visits.
14. Alum Creek Trail
The Alum Creek Trail is one of the major multi-use trail systems in Central Ohio. It follows the Alum Creek corridor and forms part of the region’s extensive network of recreational trails.
Unlike a short hiking loop, Alum Creek is better suited to people who enjoy covering considerable distance. It connects different communities and recreational areas and can be used for walking, running, cycling, and other outdoor activities.
For someone who wants to turn a simple hike into a longer endurance walk, Alum Creek is worth considering.
Best for: Long-distance walking, fitness, cycling, and river scenery.
15. Olentangy Trail
The Olentangy Trail is another major trail in the Columbus area. It follows the Olentangy River corridor and connects areas north of Columbus with downtown.
The trail stretches approximately 15 miles, with Metro Parks managing several sections.
Because much of the route is paved, this is not the trail to choose if you’re specifically looking for rugged backcountry hiking. However, it is excellent for people who want a long, accessible outdoor route.
Its proximity to neighborhoods, parks, Ohio State University, and downtown also makes it particularly convenient.
Best for: Long walks, running, cycling, commuting, and river views.
How to Choose the Best Hiking Trail in Columbus
The best hiking trail in Columbus depends on the type of outdoor experience you want.
For dramatic scenery, Highbanks and Quarry Trails are excellent choices. Highbanks provides river bluffs and forest scenery, while Quarry Trails offers an unusual former-quarry landscape and Millikin Falls.
For challenging hiking, Clear Creek is one of the strongest choices because of its steep climbs, ridges, and more rugged terrain.
For easy hiking, Pickerington Ponds, Scioto Audubon, Blacklick Woods, and several Quarry Trails routes are good options.
For wildlife and birdwatching, Pickerington Ponds and Glacier Ridge stand out.
For long-distance hiking, Alum Creek, Olentangy, Blacklick Creek, and Darby Creek offer substantially more mileage than short park loops. The Central Ohio Greenways system provides more than 230 miles of interconnected multi-use trails.
Best Time to Go Hiking in Columbus
Hiking in Columbus is possible throughout much of the year, but each season offers a different experience.
Spring brings blooming plants, fresh greenery, and active wildlife. It can also produce muddy trails after rainfall, so footwear with good traction is useful.
Summer provides long daylight hours and lush vegetation. Early-morning or evening hikes can be more comfortable when temperatures are higher.
Fall is arguably one of the best seasons for hiking around Columbus. The area’s forests and ridges become particularly attractive as leaves change color.
Winter offers a completely different experience. Leafless forests can reveal views that are hidden during summer, while quieter trails can provide a peaceful atmosphere. However, snow, ice, and mud can make some routes more challenging.
Hiking Tips for Columbus, Ohio
Before heading onto a Columbus-area trail, consider the following tips:
- Wear comfortable hiking shoes with good traction.
- Carry enough drinking water, particularly during warm weather.
- Check trail conditions before starting longer hikes.
- Stay on designated trails.
- Bring insect repellent during warmer months.
- Carry a charged phone for navigation and emergencies.
- Take extra care on steep, muddy, or slippery sections.
- Keep dogs leashed where required.
- Pack out trash and respect wildlife.
- Start early if you want a quieter experience at popular parks.
- Check park rules before bringing bikes or pets onto particular trails.
Because trail surfaces vary significantly across the region, the same footwear may not be ideal for every hike. Paved greenways are comfortable in ordinary walking shoes, while primitive, muddy, or steep trails can benefit from hiking footwear with better traction.
Comparison Table: Top Hiking Trails in Columbus, OH
| Hiking Trail | Approx. Distance/Trail Options | Difficulty | Best For | Main Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highbanks Metro Park | Multiple trails | Easy to Moderate | Scenic hiking | River bluffs and forests |
| Quarry Trails Metro Park | Multiple short trails | Easy | Families and sightseeing | Millikin Falls and quarry scenery |
| Battelle Darby Creek | 4.9-mile park section of Darby Creek Trail | Easy to Moderate | Nature lovers | Creek, forests and prairies |
| Clear Creek Metro Park | Multiple trails | Moderate to Difficult | Experienced hikers | Ridges and elevation |
| Scioto Audubon | Multiple connected routes | Easy | Beginners | River and downtown access |
| Blacklick Woods | 2.8-mile Multipurpose Trail | Easy | Families | Forest and meadow |
| Sharon Woods | 3.8-mile Multipurpose Trail | Moderate | Families and walkers | Woods and fields |
| Pickerington Ponds | 1.1-mile Killdeer Trail | Easy | Birdwatching | Marsh and wildlife |
| Scioto Grove | 1.8-mile REI River Trail | Easy | Dogs and families | Riverfront woodland |
| Slate Run | Multiple trails | Easy to Moderate | Nature trips | Forests and open spaces |
| Three Creeks | Multiple trails | Easy to Moderate | Exploration | Three waterways |
| Glacier Ridge | 3.7-mile Marsh Hawk Trail | Easy | Wildlife watching | Meadows and woods |
| Walnut Woods | Multiple trails | Easy | Relaxation | Mature woodland |
| Alum Creek Trail | Long-distance greenway | Easy | Fitness and long walks | River corridor |
| Olentangy Trail | Approximately 15 miles | Easy | Long walks and cycling | Olentangy River |
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Conclusion
Columbus, OH, offers far more hiking opportunities than visitors might initially expect. From the dramatic river bluffs of Highbanks and the waterfall at Quarry Trails to the wildlife-rich wetlands of Pickerington Ponds and the rugged terrain of Clear Creek, there is a trail for almost every type of outdoor enthusiast.
If you’re new to hiking, start with an easy route such as Pickerington Ponds, Blacklick Woods, Scioto Audubon, or one of the shorter Quarry Trails routes. If you’re looking for something more challenging, Clear Creek and some of the longer routes around Battelle Darby Creek are worth exploring.
For long-distance walking and fitness, the Alum Creek, Olentangy, Blacklick Creek, and Darby Creek systems provide plenty of mileage.
Ultimately, the best hiking trail in Columbus depends on whether you’re looking for waterfalls, forests, wildlife, river views, challenging terrain, or simply a peaceful place to escape the city. With hundreds of miles of trails across the wider Central Ohio system, Columbus provides plenty of opportunities to get outside and explore.