Andy's Hiking Page

Dedicated to Day Hiking in the Cincinnati area

	There are lots of great places to explore the outdoors in and around Cincinnati. Some are well known, some not so well known. It is my privilege to help others enjoy the many great outdoor recreation areas around Cincinnati. The purpose of this website is to share favorite hiking sites. PLEASE Email me with your trail suggestion!
"Hiking is great exercise and feeds the soul. To be out with only the earth and nature, away from manmade things, provides inner nourishment and peace."


	Spring 2011 - Warmer weather is here once again, and with it comes the best time of the year for hiking. The streams are running, plants are sprouting and wildflowers are starting to bring color to the once winter landscape. It's time to pack up and head out! This is a great time of year to hike near flowing creeks, streams and rivers. For a great day trip, check out Clifty Falls State Park in Kentucky. Hike down to the trail that is actually IN the creek, and follow it upstream to the waterfall ( be sure and pack some water shoes). Clifton Gorge, near Yellow Springs, is another great day hike area this time of year. The trail follows along the ridge of the deep ravine. Start early so that you can hike nearby Glen Helen Nature Preserve and John Bryan State Park. And don't forget to visit Yellow Springs, home of Dave Chappelle and one of Ohio's great towns to visit. For an extra special day, schedule around the fantastic Yellow Springs Street Fair, scheduled for June 11, 2011. For streamside hiking closer to Cincinnati, check out the Silver Mocassin Trail near Ft. Ancient, or some of the hikes at Caeser Creek State Park. And if you just have an hour or two, consider Rowe Woods, Sharon Woods or French Park, which has a fabulous fossil-filled creekbed. Checkout the Trail Log and Hike Ideas pages for a list of recommended hikes or find your own. Whatever you do, get out enjoy the Spring!

Devou Park Annex
Covington, KY

I really like this generally unknown, nearby hiking area. Filled with old growth forest on undulating land, the area includes 250 acres just to the west of Sleepy Hollow Road.

The trail system includes a mixed use bike/hike trail of 3 miles or so in length with a well designed elevation gain of about 400 feet. Although it's currently a spike trail, there is a partially cleared bushwhacking option of about 1/2 mile in length that allows you to create a lollipop loop. This piece can be challenging and somewhat frustrating, but the completion is rewarding, and I think it's pretty fun.

Park in the parking lot on Sleepy Hollow Road underneath the railroad trestle. Hike over to the base of the old smokestack to find the trail map and trail head. From there, you can plan your route and head up.

Unlike most bike/hike trails, or mountain bike trails, this one doesn't have the usual S-shaped trail structure. There are lots of switchbacks as you climb the hill, but for hiking they seem logically placed and are easily managed.

When the trail ends, begin following the red ribbons off-trail. They mark the bushwhacking portion. As I said, this can be challenging both mentally and physically. To help you out, this is a great hike to have a GPS or compass along for the ride. When you begin your hike, check out the direction you're walking. That bit of information might come in handy. It would be hard to get lost, but you can get turned around.

The trail is best rated at moderate/strenuous, with an elevation gain of measure and terrain that undelates tremendously.

Have Fun!

Please send me your hike ideas! EMAIL