Review

What started as Ohio's first rail-trail in 1967, has developed into an ever-growing network of Columbus, Ohio bikeways today. The growing infrastructure includes bike lanes and connectors to tie trails together. This will include a connector to the Ohio-to-Erie Trail as it makes its way over to the nearby Alum Creek Greenway Trail which parallels the Olentangy to the east.

The Olentangy and Lower Scioto Trails are often referred to as separate trails. But the northern Olentangy is aligned with the lower Scioto to the south and together they provide a longer segment, hence the Olentangy-Scioto moniker here.

This review covers the approximately 20 mile corridor from Frank Road to I-270 north.

Starting at the south end at Frank Road and heading north, the trail passes through Berliner Park, along the edge of German Village, on through downtown Columbus and the OSU campus. Continuing northward it passes through several parks before ending at Worthington Hills Park.

Highlights along the trail include: Downtown Columbus (where you ride within a few feet of the Santa Maria replica), OSU stadium, and several scenic parks.

The bikeway has a posted speed limit of 15mph. Though much of the trail has been updated and is in very good condition, some sharp corners and congested areas make speeding along the trail risky business. The surface varies from asphalt to concrete which includes some sidewalks.

Construction upgrades along the trail are ongoing. Be sure to check for the latest closures and detours before heading out. If you find yourself riding the roads between trailheads or searching for a detour around construction, good luck! There are a few bike route signs here and there, but they will not prevent you from losing your way. For those unfamiliar with the area, it can be a confusion of city streets and connecting paths.

On my memorable first visit to this trail I carried a small map with detailed directions. Despite that precaution, it took almost 2 1/2 hours to find my way along an 18 mile trail section. Unfortunately my map was a little out of date. That experience proved a lesson well learned that bikeways that traverse busy urban areas are not contiguous, which means finding your way between trail sections can be daunting at times.

With continuous construction going on in Columbus it's difficult to get a good handle on current trail info. And once you do, that info is subject to change again quickly due to the constant flux of traditional and intermodal transportation networks there. It would take a dedicated local resident to sort out all the trail closings, detours and connecting routes for the rest of us. Fortunately, just such a person exists and he has a web site dedicated to that very purpose! Visit Columbus Greenways to get up to speed on the latest extensions, closings and other details. For a broad overview of the same trail network, visit the Central Ohio Greenways site.

Or you can contact the City of Columbus Recreation & Parks Dept., 420W. Whittier St., Columbus, OH 43215 for updated trail info.

I haven't visited the southern portion of the trail, the Lower Scioto, for quite some time. So I cannot report as to whether it has been updated along with the northern Olentangy sections which are in great shape.

This bikeway provides a unique way to connect to various points of interest in Columbus by bicycle. However, first time visitors attempting to find their way on their own will be in for a real adventure. Do your homework before you trail ride here, or find a local to show you around!

Trail Specs:

Worthington-Hills Olentangy-Parklands Antrim Whetstone Tuttle Battelle Bicentennial Berliner

Park Notes: The parks vary in the facilities they offer. Some have complete facilities while others do not. Most are in-line with the bikeway, but not all. Some are a short ride away from the trail. Be sure to take some maps along for parking, navigation and finding facilities. For the most current online info, consult the Columbus Greenways web site.

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