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Along the Little Miami Scenic River
Description: This hike follows a part of the Little Miami Bike Trail, which currently runs over 60 miles from Milford to Yellow Springs. The trail follows the Little Miami River, often within 100 feet. The hike is fairly level and easy.
Directions: To get to the start: From I-275 on the eastern side of Cincinnati, take the Loveland exit off of I-275 (exit 52). Turn east and follow to Loveland Road. Turn right and go over Little Miami into downtown Loveland. The bike trail crosses the road almost immediately.
To get to the end: From I-275, take exit 50 - Montgomery Rd, and head north on US 22. Follow approximately 8 miles to SR 48. Turn left (north) on SR 48. Follow about 2 miles to side road on right, leading down to crossing of bike trail. Parking available beside trail.
Parking & restrooms: There are lots on both sides of the road in Loveland. A gravel parking lot is available beside the bike trail at the northern end. Restrooms are only available at the start of the hike in Loveland.
The Little Miami Railroad was started in the late 1830's, and within 15 years had connected Cincinnati with Sandusky on Lake Erie. In 1921, it leased its property to Penn Central. In the late 1970's, Penn Central stopped running along the tracks and in the 1980's, the State of Ohio began building a bike trail along the right of way. The bike trail has been built in stages, with the Milford to Loveland section being completed in 1991.
The bike trail is paved, though wide enough to allow ample unpaved tread for horses and those wishing to avoid the bikes. This section is popular on warm summer weekends, so expect to share the trail with bikers, rollerbladers and horses. Mileage is marked in half-mile increments along the trail, usually painted in white on the trail itself. The measurement is distance from Milford, the southern end of the bike trail. You may wish to obtain the Loveland Section map, whcih covers this hike.
1. Begin the hike where the Buckeye Trail crosses the
main street in Loveland. Loveland is a pleasant small town, with
several unique shops and stores catering to the biking/walking
public. Proceed north along the bike trail, passing a small city
park with water and restrooms. Shortly you will cross into Warren
County across a small stream.
2. You quickly leave the bustle of Loveland behind you and
find yourself on a tree-lined walk, with the Little Miami River
making frequent appearances to your left. On hot summer's days,
you will see many canoes negotiating the rapids of the river.
3. At 4 miles, pass underneath the high bridge carrying US 22 over the Little Miami River. Shortly after, you reach the small town of Foster, where a small store can provide some refreshments. Continue north past some horse stables and back into the woods. Over the next mile or so, do not be surprised by the sounds of people screaming. Just over the hill across the river is the Kings Island amusement park, and reaching close to the summit of that hill is the world's longest wooden roller coaster.
4. At 6.5 miles, pass an abandon gunpowder plant. From the Spanish-American war through World War II, this plant produced powder and cartridges for the military.
5. As you continue north into heavy woods, keep a sharp watch for relics from the days of the railroad. Hidden in the growing forest are light stands, switches and telegraph poles. At 7.5 miles, the trail begins a slow turn to the right. If you look carefully, you will where the railroad used to split, with a spur heading to the left and across the river. This was Middletown Junction.
6. After another mile, you will pass under the new bridge for SR 48 as it heads across the river. Shortly, you will emerge from the heavy woods into a small town of South Lebanon. Reach the crossroad, and hopefully, your second car!
The Buckeye Trail continues on the bike path for another 16 miles before leaving it to travel through Caesar Creek State Park.
To receive more information about the Buckeye Trail, use the information request form or E-Mail to info@buckeyetrail.org.