One of the best kept secrets of Cincinnati is the plethora of well-maintained, forested city parks! Whether you’re interested in playgrounds, dog parks, hiking, or trail running, there’s such variety in scenery and elevation that you can never get bored.
This blog post is a table of contents for easy trail runs that even wimps like me can do, especially with the encouragement of grabbing a drink or croissant lol afterward.
Brink Trail Runners
Born out of the Brink Brewery Running Club, this is a tried and true catalog of runs, many of which were originally organized in 2023 by Cincinnati local blacksmith and artist, Mark Gilsdorf.
Mark is an amazing guide (who even knows his bird calls!). I feel so spoiled to have benefited from his generosity and realized pretty quickly that I needed to start writing notes if I ever wanted to get back to these places my own someday! After the third park, the trails started blurring together. I realized I needed a visual cue to remind me of the unique differences between the terrains. I hope these reminders help you on discovering your own forest bathing journey!
Cincinnati-Area Trail Runs
Click each hike to read reviews, location details, find maps, and see images of each park:
1. French Park Outer Loop (2 or 4 miles depending on how many loops you do)
2. Mitchell Memorial Forest Bike Trail (4 miles)
3. Mount Airy Stone Steps (5 miles)
4. Devou Park Bike Trail (3-4 miles)
5. Cincinnati Nature Center (4 miles)
6. Sharon Woods Gorge and Lake Trail (4 miles)
7. Mariemont South 80 Trails (3-4 miles)
8. Glenwood Gardens Bike Trail (3 or 6 miles depending on how many loops you run)
9. East Fork Lake Mountain Bike and Backpack Trail (5.6 miles)
10. Caesar’s Creek Horseshoe Falls and Swinging Rope Bridge Trails (4.4 miles)
11. Shawnee Lookout Trails (3 miles)
Cincinnati Trail Races
Want to test your times and join a larger crew of runners? Check out these trail races.
Extra short but not so easy
Annually in November, the Sunday before Thanksgiving: 0.37 mile Straight Street Hill Climb (an urban trail)
Extra long AND not so easy
Annually in October: Stone Steps 50k and 27k Fun Run
Dirt Days Trail Series
Begins in March and runs through October: Dirt Days is 8 months with 10 events. Get a season pass for $150 or pay individually at $22.50 for each event.
Read Trail Running 101: A Fleet Fleet Dirt Days Review to hear about lessons learned on my first trail race.
Dog-Friendly Urban Race
Part of the Flying Pig Race in May, this is either a 1 or 2 mile race depending on the year: Flying Fur Run
Resources
Interested in other hikes not yet vetted by Brink runners? Cincinnati Hikes shares a plethora of maps and walking events.
New to trail running like me? Check out my post on handy gear if you decide you’re ready to invest in your personal fitness.
Happy trails!
