Appalachian Foothills Chapter

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This rugged and storied landscape is ideal for hikers seeking both challenge and wonder. With dramatic ridgelines, hidden hollows, and rich cultural landmarks, the region offers unforgettable trail experiences, whether you’re chasing switchbacks through dense forest or pausing to reflect at sacred Indigenous sites. Volunteers play a vital role in trail preservation and maintenance here, helping ensure the path remains accessible, safe, and protected for generations to come.

Natural features, history, and geography:

• Region where four physiographic regions converge
• Shawnee State Forest: “Ohio’s Little Smokies”—Ohio’s largest state forest
• Shawnee Wilderness Area: Ohio’s only State Wilderness Area
• Edge of Appalachia Preserve: 21,000 acres protected by The Nature Conservancy
• Serpent Mound: Largest earthen effigy mound in the world
• Ancient meteor crater site →
• Unmatched biodiversity unique to this region of Ohio

Towns, villages, and cities on the trail:

Sinking Spring, Peebles, Bentonville, Russellville, Mt. Orab

Trail preservation projects:

Shelter House at the Ballinger Preserve