About the Trail

This easy 1 mile woodland trail provides a variety of textures and is free of gravel. A short cut crosses the center of the loop trail. There are tree roots and a few large rocks along portions of the trail, so caution is advised when leaves cover the ground. A part of the trail through a swamp area traverses a boardwalk which is slippery when wet. Nearby air traffic detracts from the otherwise natural setting.

The nature preserve has abundant wildlife. During the spring and early summer the swamp is home to large numbers of mosquitoes. Ticks wait atop the grass in the meadow. Insect repellent is necessary.

How to Get There

Gahanna Woods State Nature Preserve is located adjacent to Gahanna Woods Park on Taylor Station Road at Havens Corners Road east of Gahanna, OH. Take I-270 on the east side of Columbus to US 62 East (Gahanna exit). On US 62 in Gahanna continue east past Hamilton Road onto Havens Corners Road (US 62 turns north, don't do that). About 2 1/2 miles east of the first traffic light (1 3/4 miles east of Hamilton Road) turn south (right) on Taylor Station Road. About 2/10 of a mile on the right, just past the water tower, turn in to the park entrance. The nature preserve and trail are in plain view south of the parking lot. There is no water or restroom.

The Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves has a detailed page about Gahanna Woods State Nature Preserve.

© 2008 by Greg Morgan. All rights reserved.
26-JAN-08