Things to Do in Athens County

Athens County offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Mountain biking, Road cycling, Touring cycling, and Jogging. The region features diverse landscapes with rolling hills and extensive forests, providing varied terrain for these pursuits. More than 80 routes are available, with an average rating of 4.78 stars from over 1,000 visitors.

Popular hiking areas include Strouds Run State Park, Zaleski State Forest, and Sells Park. Strouds Run State Park offers over 11.5 miles (18.5 km) of hiking trails, while Zaleski State Forest provides nearly 30 miles (48 km) of backpacking trails. For more details, refer to the Hiking in Athens County guide.

Athens County is a premier destination for mountain biking, featuring over 90 miles (145 km) of trails. Strouds Run State Park has more than 24.1 miles (38.8 km) of trails shared by hikers and mountain bikers, with connections to Sells Park trails. The Baileys Trail System is also highly regarded. Find more information in the MTB Trails in Athens County guide.

Road cyclists can explore scenic routes through the Appalachian foothills, offering both challenging climbs and relaxed rides. A major highlight for touring cyclists is the 22-mile (35 km) Hockhocking Adena Bikeway, a paved path following the Hocking River. Additional routes are detailed in the Road Cycling Routes in Athens County and Cycling in Athens County guides.

Athens County offers a mix of easy, paved paths and more challenging routes, ensuring options for all skill levels. The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is a paved, flat option suitable for families and casual rides. Strouds Run State Park also has trails of varying difficulty. Consult the Easy hikes in Athens County guide for specific recommendations.

The county is characterized by rolling hills, deeply dissected stream valleys, and extensive forested areas within the unglaciated Appalachian Plateau. Notable features include the Hocking River, sandstone bluffs, and serene lakes like Dow Lake in Strouds Run State Park. Significant portions of the area are within the Wayne National Forest and various state parks.

Athens County includes significant portions of the Wayne National Forest. It also features Strouds Run State Park, Zaleski State Forest, Lake Hope State Park, and Burr Oak State Park. These areas offer extensive trail systems and diverse natural landscapes for outdoor recreation.

The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is a 22-mile (35 km) paved multi-use trail in Athens County. It follows the Hocking River along an old railroad bed, connecting the City of Athens, Eclipse Company Town, and Nelsonville. This bikeway is popular for touring cycling, jogging, and casual rides.

Athens County is a popular destination on komoot, with over 1,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The routes in the area have an average rating of 4.78 out of 5 stars. There are 87 total routes available across various sports.

Yes, komoot offers several guides for Athens County, covering various sports. These include guides for Hiking in Athens County, Easy hikes in Athens County, MTB Trails in Athens County, Road Cycling Routes in Athens County, Cycling in Athens County, and Running Trails in Athens County.

The official website for Athens County government is www.co.athensoh.org. For general inquiries, the Athens County Commissioner's Office can be reached at (740) 592-3226. The Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau also provides tourism-specific information at www.athensohio.com or by phone at (740) 592-1819.