Blackhand Gorge Trail - Updates & Comments

Resize A A A

Condition Warning & Gorge News

10/16/11 by Ohio Bikeways

ODNR has placed a caution on their gorge page, suggesting that conditions have deteriorated. So we are downgrading the surface condition in the Trail Specs.

Also, there is a movement to open more of the preserve. Receently, NewarkAdvocate.com reported, "...the wheels are in motion to allow greater accessibility to the gorge in the near future. But many things have to happen first.

"For the past two decades, many parts of the north side of the gorge have been off-limits because of different interpretations of the rights of way in the area.

"That includes the 330-foot long, 20-foot high and wide interurban tunnel, what Keirns calls, "the jewel of the gorge."

For more on this story, see the post in the News section.

Never A Bad Season

10/28/10 by NJ

I really love spending time at Blackhand Gorge. There's never a bad season there. Beautiful in spring, summer, fall and winter.

I recently took a book about the region on my last hike. Learned so much about the park. Awesome. 'Blackhand Gorge A Journey Through Time' by Aaron Keirns.

More Areas To Explore

5/15/07 by Don Williams

I appreciate your review of the Blackhand Gorge Trail. You mentioned the tunnel on the opposite side of the Licking River. What you did not mention was the sandstone locks of the old Ohio Canal in the area. Also, off the main trail is a sandstone quarry from which the stone was used to build the canal locks and other structures in the area.

Overzealous Ranger

6/29/04 by Rob Candor

...After plunking down $50 for a canoe trip (family of 4), the guy that takes us via school bus to the canoe drop-off, informs us that the area has a Ranger who lives to punish canoers with even the slightest infraction. This includes eating or drinking while canoeing, stopping the canoes to walk around on the banks, or even jumping out of the canoe to cool off in the river. He says the ranger hides behind trees and watches people with his binoculars, so he's very hard to spot. He had slapped canoers with a $100 fine just a couple days prior.

Needless to say, this totally ruined the experience for us. Try to imagine canoeing down a river in the sweltering sun with young kids and telling them we can't drink the Gatorade and water we packed or jump in the water because some idiot lurking in the trees might nail us with a fine. Man, what a waste of tax dollars, not to mention what it must do to the canoe livery business, as customers never return.

Trail Specs:

Class: A3-

Length: 4.3 miles - approx. 8' wide

Condition: Poor to fair - Take it slow on skinny tires

Facilities: Latrine at east end of the trail (no drinking water).

Food: Pack a lunch or plan on traveling back into nearby Newark to eat.

Parking: At both ends of trail. Eastern trailhead: Take Rt. 16 east out of Newark, turn right on Rt. 146 (Nashport Rd.) & right on Toboso Rd. Look for Blackhand Gorge sign on right. Western trailhead: West end is off Brushy Fork Rd. Take Brownsville Rd. south (off Rt. 16), turn left on Brushy Fork & look for a small unmarked parking lot that will soon appear on your left.

Brushy-Fork-Rd Toboso-Rd

4.3mi 0mi

Trail Basics Trail Safety Bikeway Facilities Trip Planning Rules & Tips Trail Overseers Trail Surfaces & Uses Terms & Definitions Review Notes Trail Classes Articles Submit Updates	Resize A A A Condition Warning & Gorge News 10/16/11 by Ohio Bikeways ODNR has placed a caution on their gorge page, suggesting that conditions have deteriorated. So we are downgrading the surface condition in the Trail Specs. Also, there is a movement to open more of the preserve. Receently, NewarkAdvocate.com reported, "...the wheels are in motion to allow greater accessibility to the gorge in the near future. But many things have to happen first. "For the past two decades, many parts of the north side of the gorge have been off-limits because of different interpretations of the rights of way in the area. "That includes the 330-foot long, 20-foot high and wide interurban tunnel, what Keirns calls, "the jewel of the gorge." For more on this story, see the post in the News section. Never A Bad Season 10/28/10 by NJ I really love spending time at Blackhand Gorge. There's never a bad season there. Beautiful in spring, summer, fall and winter. I recently took a book about the region on my last hike. Learned so much about the park. Awesome. 'Blackhand Gorge A Journey Through Time' by Aaron Keirns. More Areas To Explore 5/15/07 by Don Williams I appreciate your review of the Blackhand Gorge Trail. You mentioned the tunnel on the opposite side of the Licking River. What you did not mention was the sandstone locks of the old Ohio Canal in the area. Also, off the main trail is a sandstone quarry from which the stone was used to build the canal locks and other structures in the area. Overzealous Ranger 6/29/04 by Rob Candor ...After plunking down $50 for a canoe trip (family of 4), the guy that takes us via school bus to the canoe drop-off, informs us that the area has a Ranger who lives to punish canoers with even the slightest infraction. This includes eating or drinking while canoeing, stopping the canoes to walk around on the banks, or even jumping out of the canoe to cool off in the river. He says the ranger hides behind trees and watches people with his binoculars, so he's very hard to spot. He had slapped canoers with a $100 fine just a couple days prior. Needless to say, this totally ruined the experience for us. Try to imagine canoeing down a river in the sweltering sun with young kids and telling them we can't drink the Gatorade and water we packed or jump in the water because some idiot lurking in the trees might nail us with a fine. Man, what a waste of tax dollars, not to mention what it must do to the canoe livery business, as customers never return. Trail Specs: Class: A3- Length: 4.3 miles - approx. 8' wide Condition: Poor to fair - Take it slow on skinny tires Facilities: Latrine at east end of the trail (no drinking water). Food: Pack a lunch or plan on traveling back into nearby Newark to eat. Parking: At both ends of trail. Eastern trailhead: Take Rt. 16 east out of Newark, turn right on Rt. 146 (Nashport Rd.) & right on Toboso Rd. Look for Blackhand Gorge sign on right. Western trailhead: West end is off Brushy Fork Rd. Take Brownsville Rd. south (off Rt. 16), turn left on Brushy Fork & look for a small unmarked parking lot that will soon appear on your left. Brushy-Fork-Rd Toboso-Rd 4.3mi 0mi	Updates & Comments Featured Review Trail Specs Maps & More Weather Forecast \| Weather Maps