Hiking the Little Miami Bikeway, Oregonia, Ohio

Let’s go for a hike!

One of my favorite places to hike is the Little Miami Bikeway, specifically the section the stretches from Spring Valley to Loveland, Ohio.  The  bikeway is extremely close to my home – almost right off my driveway – and is hands down the easiest, best path in the state for walking, running, biking, and even horseback riding.  This trail follows the Little Miami River along what used to be railroad tracks. It has almost no elevation gain (which means it is practically flat with no hills) and is paved, so no trekking through mud or rocks.  It is mostly shaded and runs through many little towns, which offer all sorts of places to stop and eat or drink.  There are multiple places to park along the almost 75 miles of trail and it is extremely accessible.

The bike path is a great place for the non walker to start walking.  Mileage is marked and it is easy to track your distance.  The Little Miami River is one of Ohio’s hidden gems, small and lovely, it is a peaceful waterway that descends softly towards the Ohio River along a slight gorge that almost resembles a West Virginia type valley.  The opportunity to see wildlife while walking along the river is abundant.  I have seen eagles, herons, beavers, deer, squirrels, chipmunks, otters, to name a few, and more varieties of birds than I can count.  And there are SO MANY TURTLES!  The water is mostly green and fairly clear, but can change to a chocolate milk brown after significant rain.  During the summer, you can watch the kayakers playing in the water while you walk and in the winter, you’ll see big chunks of ice meandering downstream past snow covered banks. The river and the bike trail are both lined with magnificent, huge sycamores, the “ghost trees” of Ohio, their stoic white trunks reaching far out towards the middle of the water.

Native Ohio indigenous people, from the Ft. Ancient and Hopewell tribes of long ago to the Shawnee of modern history, called this area home and as you walk, you will pass the same places that these people built their forts and villages.  One of the largest Indian Mound Sites, Ft. Ancient, has an access trail that begins on the bikeway.  An effigy mound in the shape of a serpent is cleverly hidden along the bike trail, its head pointing to the summer solstice, and a zip line located above it will give you a view of the tree lined gorge and river that you will never forget.  There are campgrounds and canoe liveries neighborhoods and parks, and multiple trails that can take you from the bike trail to points of interest along the way.

The negative side of the bike trail is that it can be very crowded and dangerous.  The many bikers who frequent the trail are often rude and don’t follow the ‘rules of etiquette’ dictating that they warn you when they are coming upon you from behind.  You have to stay constantly vigilant and keep on the right side of the trail at all times.  The bike trail is also an easy thoroughfare for vagrants, the mentally unstable, and criminal elements.  Single women walking alone have been attacked on the bike trail and it is a good idea to bring some form of self defense if you choose to walk alone. Mace, a big dog, pepper spray, a whistle, a big stick, or even getting your concealed carry so you can legally carry a gun are all good ideas for someone walking alone on the trail.

I hope you have the opportunity to walk this magnificent trail at least once in your life.  Be warned; it will spoil you for many other equally fine places to walk!  Ease of access, pretty scenery, and a paved, flat trail closed to motorized vehicles are just some of the things that make the Little Miami Bikeway a wonderful place to explore.  Plan to hike there soon!  It’s healthy and free and there are zero age or weight restrictions.  You don’t need any special gear and you probably won’t even get your shoes muddy.  Google “Little Miami Bikeway” for information regarding trail access points and parking areas.  My recommendation is that you park at the Little River Cafe access point in Oregonia, Ohio and start there.  The Little River Cafe is located at 5527 Oregonia Road, Oregonia, OH 45054.  You can go either north or south, it doesn’t matter.  When you are finished hiking, stop in at the LRC and enjoy a drink or a snack on the patio.  Live your best life and go for a hike!