Heart of Ohio Trail--Henry Rd.

Heart of Ohio Trail--Henry Rd.

Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050

Official Website
Heart of Ohio Trail webpage
Heart of Ohio Trail map

About this Location

In the late 1990s, Knox County began to explore the idea of taking the abandoned rail beds and converting them to multi-use recreational trails. This project is nearly complete as Knox County trails include the Heart of Ohio Trail, Kokosing Gap Trail, and Mohican Valley Trail which make up a greater trail system called Ohio to Erie Trail and spans 326 miles from Cincinnati to Cleveland.

The Heart of Ohio Trail offers close to 20 miles for walking, in-line skating, geocaching, and biking. The trail is maintained by the Heart of Ohio Trail group, volunteer board, and organization. The trail surface is comprised of smooth, high-grade asphalt. The picturesque, high-quality Dry Creek stream cascades along several portions of the trail, offering trail participants soothing sounds. There are 19 bridges on the Heart of Ohio Trail as it crosses over the Dry Creek which switches back and forth and meanders on its way to the Kokosing State Scenic River. During the spring, one can view wildflowers such as Dutchman’s Breeches, Squirrel Corn, or Skunk Cabbage. Many species of birds may be found also be found by trail visitors such as the Red-headed Woodpecker and Northern Mockingbird.

The Heart of Ohio Trail begins at the C. A. & C. Depot in Mount Vernon and runs to the Village of Centerburg. On the stretch between Mount Liberty and Centerburg, a marker has been established which marks the “High Point of the Trail” with an elevation of 1285 feet. The newest section of the Heart of Ohio Trail was completed in 2016. This section includes a 182′ pre-fabricated pedestrian bridge where the once occupied Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge stood. This was quite a project as two cranes were used to place three sixty-foot-long bridge spans on the highway where workers then bolted and riveted the pieces into place. The bridge is located on the trail at the intersection of US-36/ OH-3 and Lytle Road. This project was made possible through an Ohio Department of Transportation grant, with a required local match from the Knox County Park District

Notable Trails

The TrailLink website has a description and map of a hike on the Heart of Ohio Trail.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

Content from Heart of Ohio Trail webpage