If you're looking for an unbelievable trail to hike in Columbus, check out the Sycamore Plains Trail at Prairie Oaks Metro Park. Sitting just outside I-270 and 25 minutes away from downtown, the park has nearly 500 acres of prairies, grasslands, and woods, all restored using seeds native to the area.
Prairie Oaks has many hiking areas, as well as a designated dog swimming area on the north end of the park. The southwest side has a wooded bridle trail, but the southeast side is where the best trails hides: the Sycamore Plains Trail.
Prairie Oaks Metro Park is located at 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Rd., West Jefferson, OH 43162.
It's a big park, so if you want to hike the Sycamore Plains Trail, park at the Sycamore Plains entrance.
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This trail includes the Sycamore Plains, Osage Orange, and Tallgrass Trails. The whole trail is 2.2 miles long.
In the wooded portions, you will walk through gorgeous, tall sycamore trees with small creeks and quaint bridges along the trail.
You will also frequently pass Darby Creek.
Leashed dogs are permitted on this trail, so this can be a fun opportunity for your four-legged friends to splash in the water!
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Once you're out of the woods, you will find lush grasslands.
Take the time to appreciate the incredible native wildflowers that grow along the trail!
If you're lucky, you might spot some deer!
Deer are frequently spotted in many of Columbus's metro parks, and Prairie Oaks is no exception.
Take in the beauty of the luscious sycamore trees.
On a hot sunny day, you will almost feel like you are in a dense jungle. Sycamore trees are known to be a good shade provider. Make sure you look up to get a glimpse of their gorgeous canopy.
The Sycamore Plains Trail always offers a unique experience.
If you've hiked it during the day, next time come during the sunset or in the early morning for a whole different trip!
Some of the best hikes in Columbus offer visitors a great opportunity to spend time in nature, learn, and have fun. We all have different levels of experience with the outdoors, and there are so many metro parks in Columbus to explore that offer trails suitable to all sorts of hikers. If you're looking for some hiking adventures that would be enjoyable for little ones, seniors, and anyone in between, check out some of the beautiful easy trails around Columbus.
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1. Brookside Trail at Blendon Woods Metro Park
This is a gravel 0.8-mile one-way trail. It will take you through the gorgeous beech-maple and oak-hickory forest of the park and cross Ripple Rock Creek. Blendon Woods is filled with deep ravines and beautiful views. It is a great park for bird watching. So if you live in Columbus, file this one away under hiking trails near me.
Blendon Woods Metro Park is located at 4265 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081.
2. Lakeview Trails at Prairie Oaks Metro Park
This is a 0.9-mile hike that is a mix of paved road, gravel, and grass pathways. It actually consists of two trails; the Lake Trail will take you past several small lakes, and the Mound Trail will take you around a small Indian mound. Enjoy the wildflowers and the scenic water views! Learn more about these trails and other scenic hikes in Columbus at Prairie Oaks Metro Park, then go visit.
Prairie Oaks Metro Park is located at 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Rd. West, Jefferson, OH, 43162.
3. Edward S. Thomas at Sharon Woods Metro Park
This trail is a 1.1-mile loop that is gravel lined and ADA accessible. This wonderful hike will take you through the Edward S. Thomas State Nature Preserve. You will see large burr oak trees and an observation deck on the Schrock Lake. Just remember to be mindful of the preserve and remain on the designated trail at all times. Check out more about Sharon Woods Metro Park, and then pencil in your next visit.
Sharon Woods Metro Park is located at 6911 Cleveland Ave., Westerville, OH, 43081.
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4. Confluence Trail at Three Creeks Metro Park
This one-mile dirt trail will take you past the beautiful area where Blacklick, Big Walnut, and Alum Creeks merge into one. There is a wonderful open area by the confluence with a bench to relax and enjoy the scenery. It’s also easy to walk down to the water if you like skipping rocks. Learn more about Three Creeks Metro Park and other kid-friendly hikes around Columbus, and then grab the whole family and give one a go.
Three Creeks Metro Park is located at 3860 Bixby Rd., Groveport, OH 43125.
5. Red Oaks Trail at Glacier Ridge Metro Park
The Red Oaks Trail is a 0.8-mile hike with a short loop on either side. This trail will take you through some of the most wooded parts of the park and several of the woodland restoration areas. Enjoy the beautiful views of red oaks all around you. This is one of the best hikes in Columbus, so don't wait to hit the trail.
Glacier Ridge Metro Park is located at 9801 Hyland Croy Rd., Plain City, OH, 43064.
6. Maple Trail at Blacklick Woods Metro Park
This is a 0.9-mile trail that is ADA accessible and has gravel pathways. You will hike through a loop among a beautiful beech-maple forest and see many varieties of trees, including oak, white ash, red maple, elm, shagbark, bitternut hickory, and dogwood. You will also pass a small wetland on your way, which is a fantastic place for bird watching. This is one of the best easy hikes in Columbus, so grab your binoculars and head on over.
Blacklick Woods Metro Park is located at 6975 E. Livingston Ave., Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068.
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7. Turkey Foot Trail and Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
This is a 0.5-mile loop with a grass trail. Here you will enjoy the beautiful and peaceful scenes of Central Ohio’s grasslands and prairies. Darby Creek is a very large metro park and this is a good place to start exploring all it has to offer. Learn more about Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, and then plan your next visit there.
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is located at 1775 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway, OH, 43119.
8. Scenic River Trail at Highbanks Metro Park
This is a 0.6-mile one-way trail located within a forested area of Highbanks Metro Park. It is gravel and ADA accessible. The trail runs along the Olentangy River, giving you wonderful water views. The entire trail is located within a Natural Play Area, where hikers and children are encouraged to wander off the path and explore the wilderness around them. Read more about Highbanks Metro Park, then plan your next family outing there.
Highbanks Metro Park is located at 9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, OH, 43035.
Are you ready to set out on some of the best hikes in Columbus? You can find more details about all of these awesome areas on the Metro Parks website.
This Just Might Be The Most Beautiful Hike In All Of Columbus
Walnut Woods Metro Park offers a scenic 2.6-mile Sweetgum Trail through the Tall Pines Area, featuring diverse woodlands and beautiful views year-round.
One of the many beautiful and well-maintained Metro Parks around Columbus is Walnut Woods. The park features 1,098 acres of woodlands and fields bordering Walnut Creek. The ponds, wetlands, and well-known dog park are fantastic, but the most beautiful part is the Tall Pines Area, which can be enjoyed via the Sweetgum Trail.
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Here's the Sweetgum Trail marked in red on the west stretch of the park:
The trail consists of two loops that pass through the meadows and dense woods known as the Tall Pines Area. The entire trail is 2.6 miles long and it is rated as easy. The road is partly paved as well.
Why is it known as the Tall Pines Area?
Well, because it has gorgeous stands of pines, oaks, and sweetgum trees, of course!
You'll find plenty of variety throughout the trail.
2.6 miles is a perfectly sized loop and while the tall trees are incredible, you'll also get to experience other amazing views along the trail.
This trail is breathtaking during any season of the year.
Whether it's January and snowing or July and hot, this trail always maintains its majestic forest corridors.
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If you'd like to explore even more of the part, there are several other excellent trails.
The Sweetgum Trail connects to the Monarch Trail, which runs along Walnut Creek and some of the ponds. From there, you could switch to the Buckeye Trail Loop, which will take you through old nursery trees.
When you're looking for a lovely escape into nature, head straight for Walnut Woods Metro Park for an adventure you won't soon forget. The park is located at 6716 Lithopolis Rd., Groveport, OH 43125. For more information on park features, check out the Metro Parks website here.
Have you had a chance to take on this beautiful hike? Let us know how you liked it, and don't forget to share your fantastic photos with us on Instagram (@onlyincolumbus) or on the Only In Columbus Facebook page for a chance to see them featured!