Best Hikes Near Cincinnati
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Book Hikes Listed Below
Best Hikes Near:
Cincinnati
ISBN: 0762771674
On first thought, Cincinnati may not seem like a hiker’s town. But read on and you just may change your mind. Cincinnati is a son of a river, born on the banks of the mighty Ohio, between the points where the Little Miami River and Great Miami River release their waters to the Ohio River. These rivers cut great valleys, giving Cincinnati topographical relief, vertical variation, if you will, that enhances a landscape where the flora and fauna of the East, the Midwest and the South meld into a mosaic of nature.
After starting with an attractive landscape you add quality parks that preserve not only the plants and animals — the natural history — but also human history. Over time, area residents began to appreciate and acknowledge this scenic beauty in the Seven Hills of Cincinnati and points beyond. They could see that the special places would remain special if they were held by the public for the public to use and enjoy, to create parks and preserves. Luckily for us, the city of Cincinnati and Hamilton County began a tradition of creating parks, from Mount Airy Forest nearly a century back to newer parks such as Fernbank Park. Trails became part of these natural oases.
Additionally, the state of Ohio has established several state parks within easy striking distance of greater Cincy, such as East Fork State Park. The establishment of some preserves extends back to the Great Depression of the 1930s, when the Civilian Conservation Corps came in and built campgrounds, picnic shelters and other facilities to enhance the already verdant beauty in what became the state parks. Of course, they built hiking trails to explore hills and valleys, vistas and waterfalls. The same story was going on in city, state and county parks in Kentucky to the south and Indiana to the west. Today, we hikers benefit from a cornucopia of parkland throughout the Tri-State. It all adds up to an impressive array of hiking destinations!
It is in Cincinnati and this greater region where the hikes in this book are found. After having the privilege of researching potential hikes for this book, hiking the hikes, taking photographs, finding the ones that made the grade – and the ones that didn’t, exploring the parks beyond the trails, mapping the hikes then actually writing and completing this book I couldn’t help but reflect on the wealth of places found within the scope of this book. Shawnee Lookout came to mind first. It is one of the most famous area landmarks. And it is a microcosm of the Tri-State. Shawnee Lookout offers a remarkable hilltop view of not only the Great Miami River, but its mother river — the mighty Ohio, the mother of Cincinnati. Also visible were the green hills of Kentucky and Indiana beyond. Shawnee Lookout harbored not only the natural beauty of the Tri-State but also the human history found here, starting with the Shawnee Indians and the amazing earthworks found at this park.
Hiking to Horseshoe Falls
Best Hikes Near Cincinnati
HIKE LIST
Metro Cincinnati
1. Hikes of Shawnee Lookout Park
2. Shaker Trace
3. Loops of Miami Whitewater State Forest
4. Stone Steps Loop at Mount Airy Forest
5. Glenwood Gardens
6. French Park Hike
7. Stanbery Park Hike
8. Woodland Mound Hike
9. Redwing Loop
10. Far Ridge Loop
11. Lookout Loop
Southwest Ohio
12. East Fork Loop
13. Poplar Creek Loop at East Fork State Park
14. Cloverlick Creek Hike
15. Beechtree Loop at Stonelick State Park
16. Cowan Lake State Park Hike
17. Trails of Fort Ancient
18. Caesar Creek Gorge State Nature Preserve
19. Crawdad Falls/Peninsula Loop
20. Horseshoe Falls Hike
21. Old Sugar Camp Hike
22. Trace Run Double Loop
23. Spring Valley Loop
24. Bachelor Preserve Loop at Miami University
25. College Woods Loop at Miami University
26. Cedar Creek Falls at Hueston Woods State Park
27. Big Woods Hike at Hueston Woods State Park
Southeast Indiana
28. Whitewater Memorial State Park
29. Adena Trace Sampler
30. Garr Hill Wildlife Wander
31. Glidewell Mound Loop
32. Wolf Creek Trail from Brookville Dam
33. Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary Loop
34. Whitewater Canal Historic Trail
35. Versailles State Park Hike
Northern Kentucky
36. Middle Creek Park Loop
37. Boone County Cliffs Nature Preserve
38. Kincaid Lake State Park Hike
39. Big Bone Lick State Park Hike
40. Quiet Trails State Nature Preserve