Scioto Trail Section

Scioto Trail Section

The Scioto Trail Section traverses portions of Vinton, Hocking, Ross and Pike counties. This section includes some of the legendary foothills of the Appalachians - beautiful southern Ohio hill country. The trail ends up only about 100 ft higher than it starts although it undulates over some 11,200 ft. The BT passes through three state forests - Tar Hollow State Forest, Scioto Trail State Forest, and Pike State Forest. These forests have state parks nearby, affording plentiful camping and recreational facilities for individuals and groups. The trail through the state forests is either off-road or on state forest access roads.

The Scioto Trail Section begins on State Route 327 just east of Tar Hollow State Forest. The trail goes northwest through the forest up to the Brush Ridge Fire Tower, then southward through state forest and private lands to US Route 50 to the west of Londonderry. These miles provide some beautiful sections of forested off-road trail as well as some spectacular views of the surrounding countryside from a variety of ridgetops. The Buckeye Trail then connects to Scioto Trail State Forest via backcountry roads and picturesque off-road ridgetops overlooking the Scioto River valley. The trail crosses the Scioto River just before entering the Scioto Trail State Forest. The trail west of Scioto Trail State Forest follows mostly remote, scenic backroads to the small crossroads of Nipgen, just outside of Pike State Forest. The western terminus of the section is in Pike Lake State Park near the Park Office.