Places to Hike Barefoot

Ohio Barefoot Hikers

Trail Locations

	Alum Creek State Park - north of Columbus, OH; 2.5 mile loop.
	Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve - east of Newark, OH; 2 mile loop with 0.5 mile add on loop.
	Blacklick Woods Metro Park - in Reynoldsburg, OH; 0.5 mile loop.
	Clear Creek Metro Park - southeast of Lancaster, OH; multiple trails of various lengths.
	Flint Ridge State Memorial - southeast of Newark, OH; a 1 mile loop trail and another trail.
	Gahanna Woods State Nature Preserve - east of Gahanna, OH; 1 mile loop.
	Glen Helen Nature Preserve - in Yellow Springs, OH; 20 miles of interconnected trails.
	Great Seal State Park - north of Chillicothe, OH; multiple trails of various lengths.
	Hocking Hills State Park - southeast of Lancaster, OH; multiple trails of various lengths.
	Infirmary Mound Park - south of Granville, OH; multiple trails of various lengths.
	Lobdell Reserve - north of Alexandria, OH; multiple trails of various lengths.
	Rockbridge State Nature Preserve - southeast of Lancaster, OH; 3 miles with 1 mile side trail.
	Shallenberger State Nature Preserve - northwest of Lancaster, OH; 2 mile loop with side paths.
	Taft Reserve - southeast of Newark, OH; multiple trails of various lengths.
	Tar Hollow State Forest - east of Chillicothe, OH; 23 mile loop trail with cut across. Short sections can be hiked out and back.
	Wildcat Hollow - southeast of Corning, OH; 13 mile backpack loop with 5 mile short version.

Ratings are based on:

Barefoot friendly surfaces - how much of the trail consists of soft earth, hemlock and pine needles, sand, clay, sandstone, and other surfaces that feel good.
Barefoot hazards - how much of the trail contains gravel, thorns, poison ivy, or other hazards to bare feet.
Variety of surfaces - is it boring or does it keep your feet awake?
Variety of terrain - is it flat and straight or do you have to keep your eyes open to hike it?
Aesthetics - naturalness, scenery, flora, fauna, etc.

Locations mentioned are generalized. Detailed location information for each trail is on its respective page. Trail lengths are estimated when there is no reliable published information.

Unfortunately, the world is not a completely safe place. Hiking always involves at least some risk. Please be aware that the precautions listed below are meant to inform rather than alarm you. Simply being aware of these hazards and keeping an eye out for them will most likely be enough to keep you safe.

Caution:

Dangerous cliffs! There are hazardous cliffs along some trails listed above. Use care along cliff edges. Keep young children close to you. Never hike after dark.
Flash flood areas! Pay attention to weather forecasts before entering gorges. Do not hike in gorges before, during, or after heavy rain storms in the area. Be ready to move quickly to high ground if it begins to rain.
Public hunting areas! Some of the areas listed above are in or near State Wildlife (public hunting) Areas. Hiking in those areas is not safe during deer gun season. Check with the Ohio Division of Wildlife for locations and season schedules.
Venomous snakes! Sighting a venomous snake while on the trail is very unlikely, but always watch your step. There are three species of venomous snakes native to Ohio, all members of the pit viper family: copperheads, massasauga rattlesnakes, and timber rattlesnakes. The timber rattlesnake is on the Ohio list of endangered species. In the unlikely event that you see a timber rattlesnake, report it to the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

Finding More Trail Information

Here are some sources of more information on some of the trails listed above as well as other trails.

Web sites:

Publications:

Backpack Loops and Long Day Trail Hikes in Southern Ohio by Robert H. Ruchhoft (1984, Pucelle Press)
50 Hikes in Ohio by Ralph Ramey (2nd ed., 1997, Backcountry Publications)
Hiking Ohio by Robert Folzenlogen (1990, Willow Press)
Hocking Hills State Park Hiking Trails (1998, Ohio Department of Natural Resources)
Ohio State Parks Hiking Trails (1998, Ohio Department of Natural Resources)

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