This guide will help you discover the diversity of hiking gems in and around Ohio's capital city.

Overview Map
Overview Map Key
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Preface
Recommended Hikes
Introduction
Central
1. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
2. Blacklick Woods Metro Park
3. Blendon Woods Metro Park
4. Gahanna Woods: City Park and State Nature Preserve
5. Glacier Ridge Metro Park
6. Highbanks Metro Park
7. Pickerington Ponds Metro Park
8. Prairie Oaks Metro Park
9. Sharon Woods Metro Park
10. Three Creeks Metro Park
North
11. Hogback Ridge Preserve
12. Malabar Farm State Park
13. Mohican State Park
East
14. Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve
15. Dawes Arboretum
16. Denison University Biological Reserve
17. Flint Ridge State Memorial
18. Hebron Fish Hatchery
19. Infirmary Mound Park
South
20. A.W. Marion State Park
21. Alley Park
22. Chestnut Ridge Metro Park
23. Clear Creek Metro Park
24. Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve
25. Hocking Hills State Park: Old Man's Cave
26. Rockbridge State Nature Preserve
27. Shallenberger State Nature Preserve
28. Slate Run Metro Park
29. Stage's Pond State Nature Preserve
West
30. Glen Helen Nature Preserve
31. John Bryan State Park/Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve
Appendixes
Appendix A: Outdoor Retailers
Appendix B: Places to Buy Maps
Appendix C: Hiking Clubs
Index
About the Author
Map Legend

Author Robert Loewendick has written Five-Star Trails: Columbus the only way he knows how to do it: as your personal guide. Because exploring the natural world is not a hobby with him, but a lifestyle, his intent with all of his writing is to excite, encourage, and escort every level of hiker on an entertaining adventure. Robert's quest in nature is diverse, whether he is hiking miles of tame trails or wild ones; paddling calm waters or running rapids; fly-fishing a mountain stream or cruising a Great Lake for angling adventures. His dedication to promoting the wonders of the outdoors extends to his wife and two children, who frequently accompany him and enrich his observations and insights. An active member of Outdoor Writers of Ohio and Outdoor Writers Association of America, Robert writes and photographs for myriad nationwide media. His diverse outdoor pursuits and travels continue to provide compelling stories and images that encourage others, of all ages, to "get out there," he says. Born and raised in Ohio, he still calls the Buckeye State his base camp.