Outdoor trails in Columbus, Ohio

Trails along the Scioto Mile | Photo via @thesciotomile

Take a stroll along the Scioto Mile. | Photo via @thesciotomile

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Whether you’re looking to run, bike, hike, or just enjoy the outdoors — there’s an outdoor trail for you in CBUS.

Olentangy Trail

Extending for 17+ miles from downtown to Worthington, the Olentangy Trail follows the river, providing waterfront views through major landmarks in the city. Portions of the trail have bike lanes, and it is also commonly used to walk and run, with trailheads at OSU’s campus and parks like Antrim Park and Whetstone Park.

Scioto Greenways Recreational Trails

Running along the Scioto Mile and Scioto River downtown, there are many extensions of the Scioto Greenways that extend for 12+ miles. Pathways along the river overlook the downtown skyline and are smooth and wide, making them great for biking, rollerblading, or skateboarding.

The Scioto Mile Trail is also surrounded by green space, which makes it a very dog-friendly area.

Alum Creek Trail

Known as one of the most scenic trails in Columbus, Alum Creek has a trail map to break down the miles of parks, dog areas, waterways, trailheads, and athletic fields. There are areas for hiking, biking, running, and spots off the trail to play tennis, basketball, and other sports.

Pro tip: The trail is wheelchair accessible.

Hayden Run Falls

This peaceful trail with a large waterfall is open year round, and is primarily used for hiking and walking. It’s a very small trail, which is great for beginner hikers. Dogs are welcome at this trail, but must be kept on leashes for safety reasons.