The best walks and hikes in Hamilton County

The Lunken Airport Trail offers a truly distinctive hiking experience, circling the Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Airport on a paved path. You'll enjoy a fascinating blend of urban activity and natural beauty, with planes taking off and landing as a constant backdrop. The trail also follows the Little Miami River, providing serene water views, and passes by local spots like Land of Make Believe Park, making it a great loop hike for all ages.

Planning your visit to the Lunken Airport Trail is straightforward, as ample parking is available right at the trailhead. This trail is accessible year-round due to its paved surface, so you don't need to worry about specific seasonal conditions. There are no permits required, and it's a popular spot for families and dog-friendly outings, though always check for current conditions before heading out.

Beyond its unique airport views, the Lunken Airport Trail is a significant hub for regional connectivity. It links directly to the Ohio River Trail, which extends into downtown Cincinnati, and is also part of the much larger Ohio to Erie Trail network. Additionally, the Armleder-Lunken Connector provides access to the Armleder Park Trail, making it a gateway for longer adventures and a notable trail in Cincinnati.

The Armleder Trail offers a delightful, easy hike through Otto Armleder Memorial Park, winding through open meadows and alongside the Little Miami River. This 3.0-mile (4.8 km) loop is primarily paved, making it a smooth journey with only 15 feet (5 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking about 1 hour and 12 minutes. You'll enjoy views of the river and the unique sight of aircraft taking off and landing at nearby Lunken Airport, all while keeping an eye out for diverse wildlife like bluebirds and ospreys.

Planning your visit to the Armleder Trail is straightforward, with parking available at Otto Armleder Memorial Park. While the trail is generally accessible, it's important to note that its location in a floodplain means it can occasionally close due to flooding, so check park status before you go. This trail is perfect for a casual outing any time of day, and if you're considering public transport, Cincinnati Metro offers options to get you close to the park.

What makes the Armleder Trail truly stand out is its family-friendly atmosphere and extensive connections. Beyond the main loop, it links to the Lunken Airport Bike Path, opening up possibilities for much longer rides or walks. The park also boasts a comprehensive off-leash dog park, a playground, and picnic shelters, making it an excellent destination for families and pet owners looking for dog-friendly trails. In October, the park hosts "Scarecrow Row," adding a fun, seasonal attraction.

The Badlands, Oakleaf, and Timberlakes Loop offers a delightful escape into nature, guiding you through a mix of shaded forest paths and serene lakeside views. You'll traverse the Badlands Trail's singletrack, enjoy intermittent pond views on the Oakleaf Trail, and discover the Timberlakes Trail, where you might spot herons and turtles near a small lake, with signs of beaver activity along the way. The forest is rich with Red and White Oak, Tulip-poplar, and American Beech trees, creating a diverse and engaging landscape.

This easy hiking route covers 4.6 miles (7.4 km) with a gentle 307 feet (94 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking just under two hours, around 1 hour and 58 minutes. Parking is conveniently shared between the Timberlakes and Badlands trails. While the overall difficulty is easy, be aware that some sections, particularly on the Timberlakes trail, can be bare dirt and potentially slippery. Dogs are permitted on the Badlands section if leashed.

What makes this trail stand out is its diverse environments packed into a relatively short loop, offering a rich experience for wildlife viewing and a peaceful connection with nature. It's an excellent choice for families or anyone looking for a well-maintained, accessible trail in Hamilton County, Ohio, providing a refreshing outdoor experience without requiring extensive time or effort.

Step into a surprisingly wild corner of Cincinnati with the Parker Woods and Buttercup Valley trail system. This hike takes you through an untouched forest, where ancient trees, some over 200 years old, tower overhead, creating a serene canopy. You'll experience varied terrain, from gentler woodland paths in Parker Woods to the more challenging, steep inclines and serious climbs of Buttercup Valley, complete with refurbished earthen stairs and bridges. Keep an eye out for "The Flats," a restored prairie meadow that adds a unique ecological touch to the journey.

This easy 3.2-mile (5.1 km) route, with 234 feet (71 metres) of elevation gain, typically takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes to complete. It's easily accessible from Cincinnati's Northside neighborhood, with multiple entry points. While Parker Woods offers a less demanding walk suitable for beginners, the Buttercup Valley hiking elevation changes make it a more strenuous option for those seeking a challenge. Parking is generally available, but consider an early start on busy days.

What makes this trail system a true gem is its status as an 89-acre urban oasis, providing a peaceful retreat from city life. It's a connected system, allowing for an extended and varied experience, and boasts old-growth forest features rarely found within an urban setting. The well-maintained trails and unique natural features, like the American Beeches, make it a local favorite for wildlife spotting and a true hiker's dream.

The Ridge, Bur Oak, Cliff and Tree Trail Loop offers a delightful exploration of Ault Park's varied woodlands, winding through dense forest and past historical features. You'll encounter one of southwestern Ohio's largest trees, a centuries-old Bur Oak, and discover natural architectural elements fashioned from fallen timber. The route provides a dynamic experience, transitioning from flat, gradual sections to some steeper climbs, particularly on the Cliff Trail, making it an engaging choice for those who appreciate diverse scenery.

This easy 3.0-mile (4.8 km) hike, with 431 feet (131 metres) of elevation gain, typically takes around 1 hour and 23 minutes to complete. Parking is readily available at Ault Park. Be mindful that certain sections, like the western Bur Oak Trail and parts of the Cliff Trail, can get muddy after rain, so waterproof shoes are recommended. Also, keep an eye out for seasonal closures on the Cliff and Tree Trails due to deer hunting.

What makes this loop truly special is its combination of distinct trails, each offering unique insights into the park's ecosystem and history. The Tree Trail, for instance, guides you through one of Cincinnati's least disturbed old-growth forests, where 23 different tree species are identified. Meanwhile, the Ridge Trail follows an early 19th-century road, adding a historical layer to your outdoor adventure in this Cincinnati gem.

The Mariemont Lower Gardens Outer Loop offers a charming, easy hike through a unique landscape where nature meets community. This 1.6-mile (2.6 km) loop, with a minimal 10 feet (3 metres) of elevation gain, takes about 39 minutes to complete, making it ideal for a quick, refreshing outing. You'll wander along a silt bluff overlooking the Little Miami River backwaters, a great spot for wildlife, and pass through vibrant community gardens featuring beautiful sunflowers.

Access to the trail involves a distinctive journey, including passing under a defunct railway through an aged tunnel and crossing active twin railroad tracks. While parking is generally available in the Mariemont area, consider visiting when the leaves are off the trees for the best birdwatching opportunities and clearer views of the river. This easy route is perfect for families or anyone seeking a relaxed stroll.

What makes this trail particularly notable is its blend of natural riverside wetlands with the cultivated beauty of the 80-acre community garden. It's an excellent spot for birding and appreciating the Little Miami River, a designated National Scenic River. The integration of local gardening creativity into the hiking experience provides a distinctive and enjoyable element, setting it apart from other easy hikes in the area.

Explore the Shawnee Lookout Golf Course trail, an easy 4.3 miles (7.0 km) hike where nature is reclaiming old fairways. You will gain 496 feet (151 metres) over an estimated 1 hour and 58 minutes, encountering a surprisingly hilly and rolling terrain. The route winds through meadows and wooded areas, offering glimpses of wildlife as you pass former golf course elements like granite tee markers and greens now integrated into the natural landscape.

To plan your visit, know that the Shawnee Lookout Golf Course hiking trails are open for public use. While the official difficulty is easy, be prepared for significant grade changes due to the hilly sections. You can find parking conveniently located at the trailhead, making access straightforward for your outing.

This trail offers a unique experience as you explore a former golf course, witnessing nature's powerful ability to reclaim man-made landscapes. The path follows asphalt cart paths in many sections, providing a distinct blend of natural beauty and remnants of its past life within Shawnee Lookout Park.

The Fernbank Park Loop offers a delightful, easy hike along the Ohio River, perfect for a quick escape into nature. This 1.6-mile (2.6 km) route, with a mere 9 feet (3 metres) of elevation gain, takes about 38 minutes to complete. You'll enjoy consistent views of the river, watching for barges and historical remnants, and can even venture onto the unpaved Sycamore Trail for a different natural experience through a flood plain ecosystem.

Planning your visit is straightforward, as Fernbank Park provides ample parking and excellent amenities like restrooms, playgrounds, and picnic shelters, making it ideal for families. It's a great choice for a spontaneous outing, whether you're looking for a morning walk or an afternoon stroll, without the need for extensive preparation.

What makes this park special is its blend of accessibility and natural beauty, offering a chance to spot diverse wildlife like turkey vultures and yellow-rumped warblers, alongside unique tree species. The park's historical architecture, including the 1940s Riverview Shelter, adds a charming layer to your visit, making it more than just a simple walk.

The Mount Airy Arboretum Loop offers a delightful, easy hiking experience, guiding you through a vibrant 'living tree museum' that showcases a magnificent collection of trees, shrubs, and flowers. This 4.4-mile (7.0 km) route, with its gentle 428 feet (131 metres) of elevation gain, is perfect for a relaxed botanical stroll, typically taking around 1 hour and 57 minutes. You'll encounter a scenic lake and diverse plant displays, especially beautiful in spring and fall, making it a truly rewarding and accessible journey.

When planning your visit, remember that dogs are generally not permitted within the arboretum itself to protect the delicate plant specimens. The trail is well-suited for families and those looking for an easy hike, with some paved sections contributing to its accessibility. Consider visiting in spring for blooming flowers or in autumn for stunning fall colors to experience the arboretum at its most picturesque.

This trail is nestled within Mount Airy Forest, which holds the distinction of being one of the earliest urban reforestation projects in the United States, established in 1911. The arboretum serves as a valuable resource for plant study and observation in the Cincinnati region. While the loop itself is a tranquil experience, it's part of a larger park that also features Ohio's only wheelchair-accessible public treehouse, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance.