Buckeye Trail - Williamsburg

Williamsburg Section

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Trail Description


Carving on the trail near East Fork.
Chris McIntyre

Supervisor: John Davidson
•

52.6 Total Miles / 25.2 Off Road Miles (47.9%)
Map Publication Date: March 2024

This section starts along Grant Lake, and follows narrow country roads past numerous farms for about nine miles. After passing just southeast of the City of Williamsburg, the trail winds 23.5 miles through East Fork State Park, which is almost entirely off-road. The BT utilizes the Steve Newman Worldwalker Perimeter Trail, which provides challenging hills and beautiful views and scenery. The western part of the section finds increasing urban evidence as the trail nears Cincinnati. It passes through the city of Batavia, and along some more heavily traveled roads, before ending in Milford, where it joins the Loveland Section and the Little Miami Rail Trail.

Note: Consult with the East Fork State Park website for the latest alerts concerning trail closures, water levels, public hunting information, and campsite notices.

Click Here for a Key to Services

Trail Alerts

  • (10/28/21) Hikers are encouraged to stay on Twin Bridges Road between points 9 and 10 due to the very muddy conditions that exist due to poor trail and horse use.

  • (4/02/18)Williamsburg Section Supervisor Matt Patterson reports that the main trail between Points 8 and 20 has been reopened. Accordingly, the Williamsburg Map Edition of November 2012 is once again current - almost.

    The exception comes because there are several points on the main trail that may flood due either to a general rise in the elevation of William H Harsha Lake or local flooding of one or more of the following: Cloverleaf Creek, Poplar Creek or Ulrey Run. The Williamsburg to Batavia Hike-Bike Trail on the north side of William H. Harsha Reservoir is a natural dry boot alternative to the main trail on the south side of the reservoir.

    The trail described below goes through East Fork State Park on the north side of the William H Harsha Lake and uses the Williamsburg to Batavia Hike-Bike Trail. This route reduces the length of the Williamsburg Section by 18.2 mi. See details below.
CW CCW Pt
0.0
NW		 12.1
E		 8 Todd’s Run-Foster Rd. (T-90) at SR-I33
Todds Run-Foster Rd ends here. Head NW (right) on SR-133. Soon, enter Williamsburg. After 0.35 mi, join Main St. Along with SR-133, turn W (left). Continue on Main St past entrance to Williamsburg City Park on SW (P, PS, PT, W, WC) and Dela Palma Rd on NE (0.3 mi). Continue on across the East Fork of Little Miami R into downtown Williamsburg (G, R, P0: 45176). After 0.45 mi, turn SW (left) onto S Broadway St and continue for 4 blocks to the Williamsburg to Batavia Hike-Bike Trail (WBHBT).
1.5
W		 10.6
NE		 A S Broadway St at Williamsburg Batavia Bike Trail (WBHBT)
The trail enters WBHBT, marked by green Bike Route signs. After 0.26 mi, the bike path joins Williamsburg Bantam Rd, heading generally SW (left).
3.5
W		 8.6
E		 B Cain Run Bridge on WBHBT
WBHBT meanders some as it heads generally W past a view of the East Fork. WBBT turns generally NW from here. After 0.6 mi, WBHBT joins the central road within East Fork State Park Campground and continues NW (right) past the entrance to Camp Loop D (0.17 mi, exits S).
5.4
N		 6.7
S		 C Central Drive within East Fork State Park Campground at Entrance Station
Continue N on the central drive within the park campground. After 0.4 mi, the campground road ends. Join the Park Entrance Road, turning S (left) towards a boat launch.
7.4
W		 4.7
E		 D Park Entrance Road at Dedicated Bike Trail
After 0.9 mi, exit Park Entrance Road and head W (right) on dedicated WBHBT. After 0.7 mi, exit park through gateway at end of Zagar Rd. Follow Zagar Rd briefly as it turns W. After 250', exit Zagar Rd and go ahead W on trail built over Old Summit Rd.
7.9
S		 4.2
E		 E Old Summit Rd at Greenbrier Rd
At Greenbrier Rd, turn S (left) onto road and meander downslope generally SW. After 2.0 mi, join Elk Lick Rd and route of blue-blazed BT. Continue generally W (right) on Elk Lick Rd.
12.1
N		 0.0
E		 21 Elk Lick Rd at SR 222
Return to your current Williamsburg map, Edition of November 2012.

Map Updates

  • (4/16/2024) A recent hiker brought to our attention an issue with the FarOut app. Near Williamsburg Point 13, there is a symbol for a camping shelter north of primitive camping area #3. This shelter does not exist anymore. Primitive camping area #3 does have a fire ring, benches, and space for a tent. If you read the text that goes with the description of that shelter symbol, you will see that there are shelters at primitive camping areas #1, and #2.
  • (4/7/2024)The BTA Map Committee announces that an updated map is now available for the Williamsburg Section. This becomes the March 2024 edition and inlcudes the updates referenced below. The new map is available through the BTA Store.
  • (11/5/2023)A new re-route of the BT has taken the trail off a portion of the dangerous Round Bottom Rd in Milford. The re-route changes the trail between Pt 28 and Pt 30. The change increases the length of the Williamsburg Section by 0.3 mi, all off-road. See the log below for details.
    CW CCW Pt
    46.6

    SW    		 5.7
    NE
    		 27
    		 Binning Rd at Round Bottom Rd
    Binning Rd ends here. Perintown MM (MM w/G, ice cream, kerosene) is N across the East Fork on Round Bottom Rd. Head W on Round Bottom Rd that parallels Cincinnati District RR Line tracks (currently operated by Cincinnati Eastern RR) sometimes on the N and sometimes on the S. You will pass Tealtown Rd (0.35 mi, T123, exits S), Barg-Salt Run Rd (0.3 mi, T211, exits S), and go beneath I-275 overpass (1.5 mi). At Beechwood Rd turn right, N, and enter the city of Milford, on the east side of Beechwood Rd. At the roundabout, cross Chamber Dr, turn left (W), and follow the verge along the N side of the road to the second stoplight. Turn left (N) at the crosswalk to cross Chamber Dr at Milford Parkway. Continue along the W side of the road. Cross a vehicle bridge over the East Fork of the Little Miami River. (NOTE: Milford Pkwy is a busy road and drivers may not be accustomed to pedestrians.)
    50.0

    W    		 2.3
    S
    		 28
    		 Milford Pkwy at Finley Ray Dr (39.16628, -84.27653)
    At Finley Ray Dr, BT turns left (W) into Finley Ray Park. At the first intersection, turn left (S) onto a gravel road/parking lot along the power line. At the picnic shelter, turn right (W) along the foul line fence of baseball field 5 Continue along to the outfield fence of baseball field 6. Continue across the urban footbridge into Valley View Foundation property. Turn left (S) onto a mowed path.
    Continue generally S/W 0.52mi and reach the fence at the edge of Valley View Foundation property. Here, turn right (W) and follow along fence. In 350’ cross old road and continue on another 0.5 mi as it meanders W, NW, and then mostly N, until it reaches Milford Rd/Cleveland Ave at (39.165178N, 84.291740W).
    Turn right (NE) onto Cleveland Ave. In 150', you will be heading N. Continue N across Hickory St (0.16 mi). After 1 block (0.13 mi), cross and turn right (E) onto Oak St. After one block (400'), turn left (N) onto Laurel Ave. At the end of Laurel Ave, cross Mill St and Garfield Ave. Turn left (W) onto Garfield Ave. After 0.18 mi, cross and turn right (N) on High St. After 1 block (400'), turn left (W) onto Elm St.
    After 1 block (150'), turn left (S) on Main St (US 50) past “Roads, Rivers and Trails”, a trail-friendly outfitter who sells BT Section Maps, and cross Garfield Ave (400'). After another block (330'), turn right (W) along US 50 across Water St and on across Little Miami R. Follow blazes for safest road crossings. After crossing SR 126, go W uphill on paved trail into trailhead for Little Miami State Scenic Trail.
    52.3
    N/S    		 0.0
    E
    		 29
    		 Little Miami State Scenic Trail
    The WILLIAMSBURG SECTION ends here. BT description either N or S is continued in the LOVELAND SECTION
  • (11/5/2023) Point 29 - Camping available in Milford in nearby Jim Terrell Park and Riverside II Park requires a new permit and has a fee. This is the link to the Parks and Recreation Department's web site with the link to the updated permit. See https://www.milfordohio.org/departments/public_works_department/parks_and_recreation/.

Trail Towns



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Milford

Milford is the first Buckeye Trail Town and is an ideal setting for day hikers and backpackers.  The city is located at the intersection of eight of America’s long distance trails See below for list of these trails, which together total over 22,000 miles of hiking and biking opportunities. The Buckeye Trail winds through Milford’s streets offering a pleasant way to explore the many facets of the town before you continue your trail adventure.  Two sections of the Buckeye Trail connect in Milford (the Loveland and Williamsburg sections), making Milford a perfect spot to camp, resupply, and recharge before moving on with your Buckeye Trail, North Country Trail, or American Discovery Trail adventures.

The eight long distance trails - Buckeye Trail, North Country Trail, American Discovery Trail, Sea to Sea Long Distance Hiking Route, Underground Railroad Cycling Route, Ohio to Erie Cycling Route, the Little Miami Scenic River, and the Little Miami Scenic Trail.


Milford offers a variety of features including a charming main street, hiker friendly shops and restaurants, attractive architecture, several camping locations for through hikers, an interesting history and the beautiful 130 acre Valley View Nature Preserve". The trail follows sidewalks through town, permitting access to the above mentioned features, including a very trail friendly outfitter store (Roads, Rivers, and Trails. The trail passes some lovely historical homes as it wends its way to the woods and trails of the Valley View Foundation. There is plenty for the hiker to enjoy.


There are three camping locations within the Milford area: Valley View, Riverside II Park, and Jim Terrell Park (which has an Adirondack type shelter). For the latter two locations a permit is required and there is a small fee. See the Milford Parks page for the permit info. Read more about Milford and the BT here.

Click here for a downloadable, printable PDF map.

Learn more by visiting http://www.milfordohio.org.

Section Blogs

  • (11/6/23) Willimasburg Section Blog - Provided by Victoria Livingston, BTA hiker. The Buckeye Trail winds through scenic East Fork State Park but beware of the water crossings. It’s like a game of Frogger--leap, splat! This was a leap of faith at East Fork Lake for Victoria.