A Central Ohio hiking expert's five favorite trails
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Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
It's National Take a Hike Day, so we turned to an expert for advice on Central Ohio's best trails.
The intrigue: Last year, hiking enthusiast Eric Frisch and his wife Amanda took on the challenge of hiking every mile of local Metro Park trails.
What they're saying: Frisch tells Axios the journey reminded him of "the diversity and beauty" of the "robust park system" in Central Ohio.
- "No matter the weather or location, there was always something new to appreciate."
We asked for his five favorites:
🥾 Terrace Trail, Battelle Darby Creek: A draw for its scenic views from the top of a ridge.
- "This one is especially nice around sunset and connects to several other trails for a longer hike."
🪨 Fern and Hemlock Trails, Clear Creek: Connected trails featuring rock formations and lots of elevation change.
- "Clear Creek has several great options for those who want to get out of the city for something a bit more difficult."
🦅 Ironweed Trail, Glacier Ridge: The meadows along this trail offer bird watching and wildlife views.
- "This long, straight path connects the two sections of Glacier Ridge and has become a favorite of ours for cold-weather walking."
🧠Spring Creek Trail, Sharon Woods: A "quick escape to nature" without venturing too far from the city.
- "After hiking every trail in every park, this is still my favorite of all. It offers just the right amount of challenge, along with stunning views of the winding creek and surrounding woods."
🌳 Sweetgum Trail, Walnut Woods: Lined with tall trees, this trail is perfect for a sunny day in any season.
- "The Sweetgum is a great option for those who prefer a paved trail, and an internal connector makes it easy to adjust the length."