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THE OLENTANGY TRAIL | NEARBY TRAIL: NORTH | NEXT SECTION: SOUTH |  |
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The trail begins at its northern end with a turnaround loop in Worthington Hills Park and is accessed in the back of the Olentangy Valley Shopping Center. The trail then runs along the river behind the River's Edge office park. Past this point it snakes through woods with occasional views of SR315 to the west. and the river on the east. As it approaches the berm of one of the exit ramps to I270, it crosses a short creek bridge and turns left (east) to follow the berm to the river. There is a short rise as it turns right and goes under the first underpass. From here, it hugs the hillside well above the river as it passes under the main flyover and another ramp. The trail undulates slightly as it does so and, after passing under the last ramp, turns again to the right for a short run along the river before turning sharply left and onto the bridge to Olentangy Park and the Worthington section.
For a section that was only completed a few years ago, this mile or so part of the trail has become quite popular. While not as crowded at peak times as farther down around Antrim Lake, there is a steady stream of users. With the exception of the stretch through the I-270/SR 315 intersection, it is a mostly shady, mostly quiet, mostly flat trail. The wildlife, only recently exposed to trail users, still frequents the area and deer, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks and woodchucks can be seen pretty much at any time.
Note: (7/6/06) Day-glo yellow circles have been put down on the trail about thirty feet south of the stone markers which reflect the distances of the trail mile-post system. The exception is the farthest north where the trail continues over the Olentangy. The circle is just south of first ramp. The approximate locations:
11.5 - on the wooded rise between the Thomas Worthington high school grounds and the first wooden bridge just south of the Tucker Rd. street sign. (stone marker on the other side of the bridge.)
12.0 - about halfway between the Highgate and Stevenson signs. (stone marker closer to Stevenson)
12.5 - midway between the two access trails that connect (and form a triangle) with Whitney Rd. (stone marker up at bridge)
13.0 - over the river north of Olentangy park just before you go under the first ramp. (stone marker on trail head back in Olentangy Park.)
13.5 - just south of one of the trail fences where it breaks out of the woods.
14.0 - in the parking lot of the shopping center about fifteen feet from the park entrance.
06/02/2008