Fall is a great time to get outside to enjoy the beautiful foliage. The Miami Valley has a lot of really great hiking trails for both short, easy walks and longer, more strenuous treks. Karen and her husband like to hike every weekend and they have listed some of their favorite spots below.
Bill Yeck Park: With 3 different entry points and 194 acres, this park, located in Washington Twp has something for everyone. Bill Yeck park features more than 8 miles of marked trails. The yellow trail crosses Sugar Creek, which passes right through the park, several times. There is an apiary, a bird blind and many species of rare plants along the trails. This park connects to Forest Field Park with more trails and playground equipment.
Sugarcreek MetroPark: Adjacent to Bill Yeck Park, this MetroPark is much larger, boasting 618 acres of land to explore. Like Bill Yeck, Sugarcreek also features about 8 miles of marked trails but in addition, it also has 8 miles of horse trails. A popular local spot for both hikers & trail runners, this park tends to be a bit more crowded, especially on the weekends. Click here for a trail map.
Twin Creek MetroPark: If you are looking for something a little less crowded than Sugarcreek, try Twin Creek MetroPark. This 1,000 acre park boasts about 20 miles of marked hiking trails and 5.7 miles of horse trails. Many of the hiking trails contain steep climbs and down hill sections, so read the map carefully if you prefer a less strenuous hike. It has 4 entrances, a fishing pond and it’s also a popular spot to kayak. Click here for a trail map.
Germantown MetroPark: Like Twin Creek, Germantown MetroPark also surrounds the Twin Creek corridor. It offers 17 miles of marked hiking trails including the 7.9 perimeter hike (the orange trail on the map). It features the largest sections of old growth forest in Montgomery County. Just a warning though, parts of this trail may be impassable after heavy rains, so schedule your visit with an eye on the weather. Click here for a trail map.
Englewood Metropark: This 1,900 acre park offers lakes, waterfalls, forests, and wetlands along with about 8 miles of marked hiking trails. The park acts as a protector and buffer for the Stillwater river. There is a lot to do here, in addition to hiking you can go boating, fishing, horseback riding or camping. Like Germantown & parts of Twin Creek, trails along the Stillwater River and the lake can be impassable after heavy rains. Click here for a trail map.
Crains Run Nature Park: If you enjoy river views on your hike, this park is a great option for you. This 34 acre park sits on the southernmost part of Miami Township. The paved hiker/biker trail runs along the Great Miami River and is relatively flat. Much of the trail is heavily wooded and we have spotted some bald eagles and their nests along the river banks. This trail is great for all ages and is a mud-free hike if we have had recent rains. This trail also connects to the next one on our list.
Medlar: Another great paved option for hikes is the Medlar Conservation Area in Miami Township. The 2.25 hiker/biker path is part of the Great-Little Trail, an east-west route that starts at the Great Miami River Trail just north of Crains Run Park, runs through the Medlar Conservation Area and then runs along Austin Blvd and Social Row Road toward the Little Miami Scenic Trail to the east.
Looking for more trails? Check out these resources:
Dayton Metroparks Hiking Trails
Centerville/Washington Twp Parks
Did we leave out your favorite local trail? Let us know!
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