Trails and Recreation

Popular Trails on our Preserves

John Knouse Trail

(1.95 mi; Canaan and Baker Preserves)

Descends from a ridgetop trailhead to cross two small streams before climbing to end on another ridge. About halfway, two inviting benches overlook a rock shelter and seasonal waterfall.

Liar’s Ridge Trail

(2.3 mi loop; Baker Preserve)

A moderately challenging hike, with two bridgeless stream crossings (don’t attempt after heavy rain) and a few obstacles to climb over, but the scenery is worth the effort.

A bench by a pond

Gillett Ridge Trail

(1.1 mi loop; Mary Beth Zak Lohse Preserve)

Offers lovely vistas from late fall through early spring. Although the loop is relatively level, accessing it from the preserve parking entails a quarter-mile climb on a steep, gravel service road, so we recommend this hike in cooler weather. On the way up, take a short side trip on Gillett Pond Trail (0.25 mi) and enjoy the artwork of Passion Works Studio.

Magic Is Real Trail

(0.58 mi; Lindy Roosenburg Preserve)

Featuring a healthy stand of old oak forest (recognized by membership in Old-Growth Forest Network), this trail is lovely throughout the year but especially scenic in the autumn.

Tunnel Rock Trail

(0.55 mi; Blair Preserve)

Features impressive cliff faces and a picnic site with a table, but the lower part of the trail is often muddy in the winter and spring; the public trail dead-ends at the preserve boundary, where it enters private property.

Grand Oaks Trail

(0.75 mi; Lois Busch Winner Nature Preserve)

Treats visitors to a peaceful ramble through a stand of majestic old white oaks before descending gradually to a stream.

Art Trail at the Mary Beth Zak Lohse Preserve

Athens Conservancy’s Art Trail, featuring whimsical nature-inspired trail markers created by Passion Works artists, is designed to combine art and nature, and to encourage people to explore the natural world. A short walk from the parking area at the Mary Beth Preserve takes visitors to the Art Trail, created around a small pond. There, 10 artist-designed trail markers feature native plants and animals – including an owl and bobcat, salamander and cicada, wildflowers and dragonflies.

The artwork was created by nine artists at Passion Works Studio. Visitors of all ages will enjoy walking the trail and looking for the wildlife images woven into the colorful artwork. The trail was funded by a grant from the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio.