19 Greater Cincinnati Hiking Trails Perfect For Social Distancing

By CityBeat Staff on Thu, Jul 2, 2020 at 12:12 pm

These Greater Cincinnati trails, parks and paths are perfect for a socially distant stroll and some sweet ole' time with Mother Nature. We've compiled a list of chill local destinations that you can enjoy without worrying too much about overcrowding. These spots feature generally quiet hiking trails, or are so vast that you can easily slip away into trails less trekked.

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Buttercup Valley Nature Preserve

1558 Stanford Drive, Northside
Located in Northside, Buttercup Valley offers some more advanced trails with steep inclines and heavily wooded trails. Attached to Buttercup Valley is Parker’s preserve, which offers a paved trail and woodland trail. Those trails are perfect for beginner hikers or for a small walk through.
Photo via Cincinnatiparks.com

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Withrow Nature Preserve

7075 Five Mile Road, Anderson Township
The Trout Lily Trail in the Withrow Nature Preserve is a moderately difficult 1.7-mile nature trail through verdant green woods, bushes and grass. This trail is rarely crowded so it makes for a great peaceful walk.
Photo: Paige Deglow

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Ahrens' Way at Riverside Commons

Base of O’Fallon Avenue, Dayton, Kentucky
Named after Dayton, Kentucky-raised fallen war hero Private First Class Edward Henry Ahrens, the trail is one of the first portions of the future Riverfront Commons project that will run from Fort Thomas to Ludlow along the river. This particular portion is a half of a mile long at this point, but is quiet and wide — so keeping six feet away from other walkers or riders should be an easy task. You can also walk up the hill to the floodwall path, which spans about 1.5 miles from one end to the other.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

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Shawnee Lookout

2008 Lawrenceburg, North Bend
Shawnee Lookout is known for its views and historical value. The park has a small series of nature trails between 1 and 2 miles long that lead to views of the forest and of the Ohio River and Great Miami River valleys.
Photo: Provided by Great Parks of Hamilton County

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Bender Mountain

6480 Bender Road, Delhi
Bender Mountain Loop Trail is a 2.3-mile hike past scenes of wildflowers and woods. This trail is considered moderately difficult and is great for a small challenge with beautiful scenic payoffs.
Photo: Paige Deglow

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Bellevue Beach Park

643-665 Frank Benke Way, Bellevue
Located along the riverfront in Northern Kentucky’s Bellevue neighborhood, the quaint park features a walking path that runs along the river and around the park. It’s typically a quiet place for a stroll with some lovely views along the way.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

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California Woods Nature Preserve

5400 Kellogg Ave., California
The California Woods Nature Preserve has a small network of short hikes. This park is 113 acres of woods filled with all types of woodland and aquatic wildlife including beavers, ducks, owls and more.
Photo: Izzy Viox

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Woodland Mound

8250 Old Kellogg Road, Withamsville
Woodland Mound Overlook trails include a 1-mile fitness trail through the woods, a half-mile trail called the Hedgeapple (past two ponds home to frogs, salamanders, snakes and more), another nature hike with a view of the Ohio River and a shared-use trail that leads to almost 2 miles of woods and prairie.
Photo: Provided by Great Parks of Hamilton County

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Glenwood Gardens

10397 Springfield Pike, Woodlawn
Glenwood Gardens has the Garden Loop Trail and the Wetland Loop Trail. The Garden Loop is 1.1 miles of paved trail leading past a gazebo, the Mill Creek and the stone bridge. The Wetland Loop is a nature trail past grassy meadows, woods and wetlands.
Photo: Provided by Great Parks of Hamilton County

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Johnson Hills Park

7950 Bridle Road, Dry Run
An easy and relaxing walk through the Johnson Hills Park trails forest area is perfect for walking, running and hiking. Park trail is a loop a little over 2 miles and open for all skill levels of hikers.
Photo: Izzy Viox

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Big Bone Lick State Park

3380 Beaver Road, Union
Big Bone Lick has a handful of short walks and a featured 4.5 mile Discovery Trail through grasslands, woods, the salt-sulfur springs and a bison viewing area.
Photo via Facebook.com/BigBoneLickSHS

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Miami Whitewater Forest

9001 Mt. Hope Road, Harrison
Miami Whitewater is the go-to park for people living in Harrison. Four nature trails wind through the Miami Whitewater Forest. The paved exercise trail leads through views of woods, creeks, grasslands and local rural neighborhoods for a 1.4 mile loop or the outer loop of almost 7.8 miles.
Photo: Provided by Great Parks of Hamilton County

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