In my opinion, there’s no better time to hike than fall. The cool breeze, rustling leaves and gorgeous colors make it the perfect time to be in the woods. If you are a seasoned hiker, or if you just want to give hiking a try, now is the perfect time to put on some boots (or tennis shoes, you do you!) and get out there. Here’s a list of some of my favorite hiking spots in the Cincinnati area.
1. Mt. Airy Forest (10 minutes from Cincy)
Mt Airy forest is a great spot for unseasoned hikers or those looking for a nice, easy walk. This park has both trails and a huge, gorgeous garden with a pond, bridges and a 65-foot-tall tower that overlooks the entire park. For those who take the trails, you may run across a huge waterfall and groves of sycamore trees. This park is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and admission is free.
2. Buttercup Valley Preserve (less than 10 minutes from Cincy)
This is a great, easy hike through a seriously beautiful forest. This preserve managed to survive development of the surrounding area and one of the trails actually takes you through part of the surrounding neighborhoods. The trees in this forest look amazing during the fall, so this is the perfect spot to take some pics. Admission to Buttercup preserve is free, and it’s open from sunrise to sunset.
3. Sharon Woods (20 minutes from Cincy)
Sharon woods has great trails and some cool activities to do besides hiking. My favorite trail is the gorge trail, which takes you along a gorge and eventually up to a small waterfall. If you want, stop by the museum to check out the history of the park. Also, starting November 16th, you can go by at night to see a holiday lights show! Sharon woods is open from sunrise to sunset and parking is $5.
4. Shawnee Lookout (30 minutes from Cincy)
Shawnee Lookout is without a doubt the most breathtaking spot to go in fall. This park overlooks the entire valley below, and during fall, the view is amazing. This park has a little historical overview of the Native Americans who used to live there in the visitor’s center and I think knowing the history behind a hike is always cool. There’s plenty of places to sit and enjoy the view, so take your time, take some pictures and just relax. It’s only $3 to park at Shawnee Lookout, and they’re open from sunrise to sunset.
Hiking is always great, but during the fall it’s really something special. It’s good exercise, and honestly, it’s the perfect way to forget about college for a while. So, get out there and enjoy fall while it lasts.