Buckeye Trail - Scioto Trail

Scioto Trail Section

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Trail Description



Andrew Bashaw

Supervisor: Jeff Yoest
•

60.7 Total Miles / 38.4 Off Road Miles (63.3%)
Map Publication Date: March 2019

The Scioto Trail Section traverses portions of Vinton, Hocking, Ross and Pike counties. This section includes some of the legendary foothills of the Appalachians - beautiful southern Ohio hill country. The trail ends up only about 100 ft higher than it starts although it undulates over some 11,200 ft. The BT passes through three state forests - Tar Hollow State Forest, Scioto Trail State Forest, and Pike State Forest. These forests have state parks nearby, affording plentiful camping and recreational facilities for individuals and groups. The trail through the state forests is either off-road or on state forest access roads.

The Scioto Trail Section begins on State Route 327 just east of Tar Hollow State Forest. The trail goes northwest through the forest up to the Brush Ridge Fire Tower, then southward through state forest and private lands to US Route 50 to the west of Londonderry. These miles provide some beautiful sections of forested off-road trail as well as some spectacular views of the surrounding countryside from a variety of ridgetops. The Buckeye Trail then connects to Scioto Trail State Forest via backcountry roads and picturesque off-road ridgetops overlooking the Scioto River valley. The trail crosses the Scioto River just before entering the Scioto Trail State Forest. The trail west of Scioto Trail State Forest follows mostly remote, scenic backroads to the small crossroads of Nipgen, just outside of Pike State Forest. The western terminus of the section is in Pike Lake State Park near the Park Office.

Click Here for a Key to Services

Trail Alerts

  • (October 15, 2024)

    This alert applies to Pt 2, Clark Hollow Rd (T2E) at Tar Hollow State Forest Maintenance Buildings. This is where the trail leaves Clark Hollow Rd, crosses a stream, and enters the woods. Jeff Yoest, Scioto Trail Section Supervisor, offers an alternate route when heavy rains make the stream impassable. There are directions provided on the 2019 edition of the Scioto Trail map, but this is another option to follow to return to the trail. This alternative would be to continue NW on Clark Hollow Rd 0.3 mi, cross a small bridge, turn right (E) to enter an open area, and follow an old road (NE) 0.3 mi through the woods up to a junction with the BT on the crest of the ridge.

  • (August 30, 2022)

    Jeff Yoest, Scioto Trail Section Supervisor, has noted that roughly halfway between Pts 33 and 34, recent logging operations have destroyed the trail on the ascent near the top of the ridge. It is possible to walk through this area and regain the trail by angling toward the ridgetop.

Map Updates

  • (6/18/2023) Jeff Yost, Section Supervisor for Scioto Trail, has announced a reroute of the BT within the section between Points 7 and 9. The March 2019 edition of the map is affected. The reroute eliminates 2.0 miles of on‐road trail for 1.5 mi of off‐road trail.

    The total miles for Scioto Trail Section is reduced by .5 mi making the new total 60.7 mi. In the CW direction, subtract 0.5 mi from all points from Point 8 to 35. In CCW direction, subtract 0.5 mi from all points from Point 7 to Point 1. See the new descriptions below:

    • Pt 7 North End of Blue Lick Rd (T224)   CW 12.7 S   CCW 48.0 N
      The bridle trail ends here. Follow Blue Lick Rd S 1.0 mi to a blazed wooded post.
    • Pt 8 Blue Lick Rd at Marked Path   CW 13.7 W   CCW 47.0 N
      Exit right (W) off Blue Lick Rd at blazed wooded post. Immediately cross a small stream and ascend a very steep wooded hill. After 0.33 mi, turn left (S) at an intersection of old roads. The trail continues on a gentle southerly descent through a forest for 0.5 mi before entering an open field. After a short jog west, follow the trail another 0.7 mi as it turns left (S) along a fence line and soon joins a dirt road headed SE in a wooded area, then enters a farm complex with outbuildings. Take the gravel lane due south to Rt 50. Turn right (W) on the highway for the short walk to Hannah Lane (0.4 mi, T216).
    • Pt 9 US 50 at Hanna Lane (T216) CW 15.6 SW   CCW 45.1 E
      Continue with the map directions.

  • (9/27/2019) Significant improvements were made to the Logan Trail at Tar Hollow. This included improving the trail surface and adding two water tanks at the former group camp in Dulen Hollow and the existing camp near the fire tower. The causes a few changes to the description at Point 4 and in the Camping Along the Trail section, as noted below:

    Point 4. Fire Tower Picnic Area on South Ridge Rd (F3)
    Facilities: C, P, PT W. Leave SW on footpath that lies E of and more-or-less parallel to South Ridge Rd. Cross Clark Hollow Rd (F2) after 0.7 mi. Continue to meander generally S near South Ridge Rd across several ridge lines and a similar number of ravine tips. After 0.7 mi, the trail joins South Ridge Rd for 130' before reentering woods on the E side of the road. Soon after crossing beneath a power line, cross South Ridge Rd onto the trace of an old road; head SW.

    Camping Along the Trail
    2. Near Pt 4, primitive camping (fee) is available in 5 dispersed sites 1200' SE of the fire tower (P, Pr, PT, W). Near Pt 5, dry camping (fee) may also be available in an Adirondack shelter (P, Pr, PT). In either case, contact the Tar Hollow State Park Office at 740-887-4818 for details in advance.


  • (3/15/2019) A new map edition was published in March 2019. Many changes have been made. The changes may make its purchase desirable. Several points have been moved to new locations and at two locations points have been combined. In particular, both Old Point 28 and Old Point 35 have been deleted. The text from Point 28 has been added to the end of that from Point 27. And the text from Point 35 has been combined with that of Point 34. The remaining points were then renumbered.
    However, in respect to those people who recently bought the Scioto Trail map edition of March 2012, the partial log below presents the most important changes so that you can update the older edition. The log below uses the point values used in the older edition. In addition, because the method now used to present campsite information has changed, no campsite information is included in the log below. Instead, the Camping along the Trail piece from the latest edition is shown at the end of the log.

    CW CCW Pt Description
    0.0
    W    		 61.2
    N    		 1 SR 327 at Clark Hollow Rd (T2E)
    The former service station that was 0.3 mi S on SR 327 is gone. There is a pizza parlor 0.7 mi S on SR 327 (opens at 4pm M-Sa).
    0.6
    NE    		 60.6
    SE    		 2 Clark Hollow Rd (T2E) in front of Tar Hollow State Forest Maintenance Buildings
    4.0
    SW    		 57.2
    SE    		 3 BT/NCT at North Loop of Logan Trail (C)
    4.6
    SW    		 56.6
    NE    		 4 Fire Tower Picnic Area on South Ridge Rd (F3, C)
    7.1
    W    		 54.1
    NE    		 5 Dogwood Picnic Area on South Ridge Rd (F3, C)
    Only the title has changed.
    10.0
    S    		 51.2
    NE    		 6 South Ridge Rd (F3) at Bridle Trail
    Only the title has changed.
    12.7
    S    		 48.5
    N    		 7 North End of Blue Lick Rd (T224)
    Access to the off road trail that began at your Point 8 and ended a little before your Point 9 has been denied. The points have been reassigned. Follow the text below:
    The bridle trail ends. Follow Blue Lick Road S for 1.9 mi to its end. Join SR 327. Head SW. Cross Blue Lick Run after 0.26 mi.
    15.2
    W    		 46.0
    N    		 8 SR 327 at US 50 in Londonderry
    Facilities: MM, PO:45647. Here, at the center of Londonderry, turn W onto US 50 past the large Londonderry Cemetery (0.6 mi).
    16.1
    S    		 45.1
    E    		 9 US 50 at Hanna Lane
    Facilities: MM, PO:45647. Delete all text in the first paragraph under Point 9. Use all text in the second paragraph.
    17.5
    W    		 43.7
    N    		 10 Lickskillet on Musgrove Rd (C213B)
    18.9
    S    		 42.3
    E    		 11 Musgrove Rd (C213B) at Driveway
    20.4
    SW    		 40.8
    NE    		 12 Passageway beneath US 35
    The south end of this passageway is located at 39.23060 N, 82.83402 W.
    Turn SE on bench built by ODOT into the grassy fill. Continue slow descent SE along edge of woods. After 0.26 mi, begin slow turn W away from US 35; soon enter early succession woods. Continue to turn towards NW and climb ridge with two switchbacks to an old logging road on the ridgeline (0.3 mi, location: 39.22675 N, 82.83547 W). Turn hard SSE onto the logging road; follow it as it undulates and meanders along the ridge.
    21.8
    W    		 40.8
    E    		 13 Crossroads near Microwave Relay
    Location: 39.22113 N, 82.83956 W.
    22.8
    W    		 38.4
    E    		 14 Service Rd at Old US 35 and Higby Rd (C206)
    24.1
    S    		 37.1
    NE    		 15 Higby Rd (C206 NE; C205 S) at Three Locks Rd (C205)
    26.1
    N    		 35.1
    S    		 16 BT at South Ridge Rd (F6)
    29.1
    NW    		 32.1
    SE    		 17 Access Rd to Abandoned Air Strip at Airport Rd (T200)
    29.8
    N    		 31.4
    S    		 18 BT at Stoney Creek Rd (C199, P)
    30.7
    SW    		 30.5
    NE    		 19 Cemetery Ridge Bridle Trail at North Ridge Rd (F2, P)
    The text under this point is mostly correct. However, at the end of the text, Delete the sentences, which read, "BT ascends steeply W along forest property line and then descends gradually to field behind service sheds. BT follows edge of field S," which now are incorrect. The trail no longer reaches the field behind the sheds but, instead, stays in the woods almost all the way to Stoney Creek Rd.
    32.4
    SE    		 30.5
    N    		 20 Headquarters Bridle Trail at Stoney Creek Rd - Post 1
    Because of the route change described above, Point 20 is now a little E of where it was formerly. The text now begins, "Go SE on S Headquarters bridle trail past Post 30; soon, ford Stoney Creek (80')." Subsequent text reads correctly.
    33.3
    SW    		 27.9
    E    		 21 Junction of BT with Footpath - Post 45
    34.2
    E    		 27.0
    W    		 22 Cutoff Rd at Hatfield Rd (F5)
    35.7
    S    		 25.5
    NW    		 23 Post 50 -- Bridle Trail at South Ridge Rd (F6)
    37.4
    SW    		 23.8
    S    		 24 Post 55 -- Bridle Trail at Woods Hollow Rd (T360)
    An important note has been added to the text. See “NOTE” in the new text below.
    The bridle trail ends at Post 55 on Woods Hollow Rd. Turn SW on road. After 1.0 mi, Woods Hollow Rd ends. Join US 23. NOTE: Cross US 23 here because here you have the best visibility in both directions. Head S past Alma Omega Rd (0.26 mi, C41, exits E), enter Pike Cty from Ross Cty (0.17 mi) and pass Woodland Park Rd (0.16 mi, T444, exits SW).
    39.1
    W    		 22.1
    NE    		 25 US 23 near Moore’s Run and Fenced Storage Area
    40.8
    NW    		 20.4
    NE    		 26 Prussia Rd (C46) Bridge over Prussia Run
    The title has been changed because the S-turn over twin culverts has been replaced by a bridge. Other than that, the text remains essentially the same.
    44.6
    W    		 16.6
    NE    		 27 Keiser Rd (T179) at Denver Rd (C165)
    This point disappears in the next edition, March 2019.
    45.3
    SW    		 15.9
    SE    		 28 Denver Rd (C165) at Mt Tabor Rd
    This point becomes Point 27 in the edition of March 2019. The text under Old Point 28 contains errors. Use the text that follows:
    After 1.4 mi, reenter Pike Cty where Mt Tabor Rd is designated as T410. Soon (0.35 mi), pass Mapleberry Farms (C). After 0.7 mi, join Clines Chapel Rd (C33); turn N.
    48.0
    W    		 13.2
    S    		 29 Clines Chapel Rd (C33) at Nipgen Rd (C34)
    This point becomes Point 28 in the edition of March 2019.
    51.8
    SW    		 9.4
    SE    		 30 Nipgen Rd (C34) at Potts Hill Rd (C28) and SR 772 in Nipgen
    The text under Point 30 is correct except that the small grocery in Nipgen is open once again. This point becomes Point 29 in the edition of March 2019.
    53.0
    W    		 8.2
    NE    		 31 Morgan's Fork Rd (C3) at Footpath
    The location of this point has been moved 350' SW on Morgan's Fork Rd. The new coordinates are: 39.18117 N, 83.16560 W. This point becomes Point 30 in the edition of March 2019. See new text below:
    Note: since there are 4 fords in this short segment, you may want to follow roads around this segment if the streams are high. To do so, continue SW on Morgan’s Fork Rd to Davis Rd. Take Davis Rd N to trail.     BT/NCT departs W on foot trail into forest. In 7300', the trail reaches the next point at Davis Hill Rd.
    54.4
    S    		 6.8
    E    		 32 Footpath at Davis Rd
    This point has been moved 440' N of its former location because of a small relocation. This point becomes Point 31 in the edition of March 2019. See some new text below. Return to your current text beginning with the phrase, "At end of pines,". Turn S on Davis Rd. After 200', Davis Rd turns SE. Here, exit Davis Rd, cross a roadside ditch past a BT Carsonite marker to join an old logging road that heads S. After 450',reach the NE corner of the levee that retains a pond. Turn W onto footpath. Soon, enter a White pine growth.
    56.6
    SW    		 4.4
    NE    		 33 Service Road/Bridle Trail on Robinett Ridge
    This point becomes Point 32 in the edition of March 2019
    58.7
    W    		 2.5
    E    		 34 Service Road/Bridle Trail in Tobacco Barn Hollow
    This point becomes Point 33 in the edition of March 2019
    60.7
    W    		 0.5
    SE    		 35 Post 8 - BT at Bypass Bridle Trail Junction
    This point disappears in the edition of March 2019. The new text, see below, will appear at the end of Point 33 (Old Point 34).
    Soon (150'), reach Post 8 that marks a 3-way intersection of the bridle trail and a footpath; continue to descend mostly SW on the footpath into Pike Lake State Park. After 0.3 mi, reach a 4-way trail junction of footpaths; join the crushed limestone path across the dam. On the W side of the dam, pass a Civil War grave that lies just a little S of the trail.
    61.2
    S    		 0.0
    E    		 36 Trail on Pike Lake Dam at Pike Lake Rd (C4)
    This point has moved a little north of its former location on Pike Lake Rd. This point becomes Point 34 in the edition of March 2019.
    Location: 39.159373 N, 83.221378 W. SCIOTO TRAIL SECTION ends here within Pike Lake State Park. The Park Office and Store are located across Pike Lake Rd. The trail S (CW) continues in the SINKING SPRING SECTION.

    CAMPING ALONG THE TRAIL
    The location of all camping facilities that are both known to BTA and within reasonable walking distance of the trail within this section are shown on this section map. All campsites are managed independently by various agencies and/or individuals.
    Closest Point Description
    3 Near Pt 3, the NE leg of the Logan Trail leads NE down to Pine Lake in Tar Hollow State Park Camping - fee, Electric, Parking, Pit toilet, Picnic table, Showers and water are seasonal, 740-887-4818.
    4 Near Pt 4, primitive, dry camping for a fee is available in 5 dispersed sites 1200' SE of the fire tower (P, Pr, PT). Near Pt 5, dry campingf may also be available in an Adirondack shelter (P, Pr, PT). In either case, contact the Tar Hollow State Park Office at 740-887-4818 for details in advance.
    20 Near Pt 20, family camping is available within Scioto Trail State Park. Follow Stoney Creek Rd W for 0.1 mi to its intersection with Lake Rd. Go N on Lake Rd past the State Park Office. Near the swimming beach on Caldwell Lake after 0.7 mi, exit Lake Rd onto a dirt road that enters the campground - fee.
    26-27 Between Pt 26 and Pt 27 immediately past Pendleton Rd lies the Schmitt campsite, named in honor of the Schmitt family who donated this property to BTA. This campsite lies on a small, wooded lot about 0.3 acre in size on the S side of Pendleton Rd. The site has 130' of frontage on Pendleton Rd and extends to a depth of about 95'. No facilities. Use low impact camping methods. Pack it in? Pack it out!
    28-29 Between Pts 28 and 29, Mapleberry Farms (458 Mt Tabor Rd, Waverly, 45690, 740-947-2331) offers free camping. Contact owners before you set up camp. Water is available at the house; few facilities.
    36 Near Pt 36, family camping with 112 sites is located in the campground S of the dam. Heated cabins are also available by reservation.
    NOTE: The Buckeye Trail Association does not manage any camping facilities within the Scioto Trail Section. Dispersed camping is not permitted on private or state lands without express permission of the owner/manager. Hikers are expected to comply with the rules in all instances. Request special camping information from the BTA at

Trail Towns

  • There are no Trailtowns in this Section at the present time.

Section Blogs

  • (3/29/23) Scioto Trail Section Blog - Points 25-29 by Victoria Livingston
    Victoria and her husband Dave tackle this trek in January when it gets dark earlier. Why did they decide to reverse hike these points when the last 1.7 mi is in a forset setting? The scenery was lovely, some Christmas spirit was still alive, a beautiful waterfall beckoned, an historical markers designated an underground railroad stop, and two BTA camp sites are along the the route.
    Visit Victoria's blog to read all the details.
  • (11/6/23) Scioto Trail Section Blog - by Victoria Livingston
    Hiking this section of Ohio’s Buckeye Trail, Ohio, we discovered dilapidated cabins and the town of Lickskillet. Great views abound from Hang Glider Hill and along the Scioto River.
    Visit Victoria's blog Dilapidated Cabins and Epic Views at Hang-glider Hill to read all the details.