5 trail leaf-peeping day trips
Chasing autumn colors on the Ohio to Erie Trail
Pumpkin spice season is here! It’s a sign that autumn is at our doorstep. While I'm trying to hold off on swapping out my summer flowers for mums and Halloween decorations, retailers are gearing up for Christmas. Shorter days, longer nights, and cooler temperatures transform green into yellow, orange, and red.
While New England is often the go-to destination for autumn leaf peeping, Ohio is a hidden gem. The diverse geography, elevations, and climate zones result in a gradual shift in fall colors, making it an excellent destination for leaf peepers.
From week-long tours to weekend getaways or day trips, autumn is the perfect season for exploring trails and country backroads. The cooler temperatures, vibrant fall colors, roadside stands with fall fruits and produce, and the crunch of leaves make it my favorite season on a bike or foot.
The Ohio to Erie Trail is a wonderful place to soak up autumn’s beauty. October is the ideal month for leaf peeping, with the last two weeks usually the most spectacular. You can follow the progress of fall colors across the state using this interactive map, which combines historical data, forecasts, and real-time reports.
Tom’s top 5 leaf-peeping day trips
Here are some of my favorite autumn day trips to experience the beauty of autumn along the Ohio to Erie Trail. Each route is approximately 20 miles long. They are ideal for families, cyclists, and hikers of all abilities and ages with plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy nature, local flavor, and trailside attractions.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Start your day at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) Visitors Center in Boston. Pick up a park map, learn canal history, and plan your day. From there, follow the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail south to Peninsula, crossing a long boardwalk along the Cuyahoga River.
Enjoy lunch in Peninsula or a few miles south at Szalay's Farm Market, where autumn flavors and a corn maze await. A connector trail leads you to historic Hale Farm and Village or continue south on the towpath crossing the Beaver Marsh on a long scenic boardwalk.  The towpath’s Botzum trailhead marks the end of the CVNP.
Amish Country
Park at Hipp station in Millersburg and start your adventure heading north on the Holmes County Trail, a unique trail. One side is designated for buggies and horses and the other for cyclists and pedestrians. You'll likely pass buggies and be passed by Amish on e-bikes. The trail is shaded with a few open stretches of farmland.
Keep an eye out for Cardinal Hill Grocery on your left just after passing through Holmesville. This Amish bulk store is a wonderful place to grab snacks and experience Amish life.
At the trail’s end, follow the road a few blocks into Fredericksburg. Enjoy a coffee, Amish fry pie, or lunch at Salt Creek Café. The return trip to Millersburg is downhill where you'll find a brewery, restaurants, and shops including a chocolate shop around the Courthouse Square.
Kokosing Gap Trail
As a Knox County resident, the Kokosing Gap Trail is a favorite ride. I park at the CA&C Railway Depot in Mount Vernon, then take the Main Street underpass following the Kokosing River with city and river views. The trail enters the shade crossing the river over two iron bridges, where you can watch kayakers and soak in colorful reflections in the water.
The 0-6-0 locomotive at the Gambier trailhead is a great spot for a family photo. Stroll or ride up the hill to the charming village and Kenyon College campus, surrounded by trees and historic buildings.
The trail continues along the river to Howard, where the Route 36 underpass is one of the most popular spots for photos and selfies on the Ohio to Erie Trail. Walk up the hill to the Howard Hilton, a quirky dive bar offering hearty food in a unique atmosphere.
Return to Mount Vernon and stroll Downtown to people watch at the iconic dog fountain. Return to the depot to walk or cycle the Heart of Ohio Trail to Ariel Foundation Park. Climb the Rastin Observation Tower for a bird's-eye view of the city adorned in autumn splendor.
Alum Creek Trail
The Alum Creek Trail offers something for everyone, but it truly shines in the autumn. Connecting numerous parks and green spaces in Columbus, it's the perfect urban escape into nature.
Park at Franklin Park in the Franklin Park Street lot and head east under the railroad overpass, following the signs to the trail. Cross the suspension bridge over the creek and turn north. Eight shaded miles of trail wind along the creek through yellow, orange, and red on many bridges, some of which are historic and relocated to the trail.
End your ride north at the Easton soccer fields on Sunbury Road. Turn and return to Franklin Park and explore the fall colors of the gardens and park free of charge. East Market, just a few blocks from the park, is a food hall with a brewery, shops, and dining. It's a short drive to Oldtown East and German Village, where you can enjoy more colorful walks and explore shops and restaurants.
Yellow Springs
Yellow Springs, an extremely popular cycling destination, is a charming small college town with a vibrant downtown and artsy hippie vibe. This day trip ois a detour off the Ohio to Erie Trail at Xenia Station where you continue north on the Little Miami Scenic Trail. It earns a solid spot on this list.
Starting at Xenia Station, follow the signs for the Little Miami Scenic Trail north. The trail passes through downtown Xenia before entering a tunnel of autumn colors to Yellow Springs. Ohio's newest State Park, Great Council State Park, is on the left just after leaving the city limits and is easily accessible from the trail.
The trail passes under a covered bridge, the perfect spot to capture autumn colors, at the edge of Yellow Springs. Glen Helen Nature Preserve is next up and worth a short hike on one of its scenic trails.Â
The Yellow Springs railroad depot is the gateway to the village, offering a full-service visitors center and ample bike racks. A stroll through the village is not too be missed, with unique shops, street art, and dining options. The village is especially magical in autumn decked out for the season.
To make the most of your day trip, add seven miles continuing north on the Little Miami Scenic Trail to Young's Jersey Dairy, just off the trail. Their ice cream from the namesake jersey cows is legendary, and the overall experience is unforgettable. A corn maze and other autumn activities make it a memorable fall destination.
And more to explore…
These are a few of many day trips to enjoy autumn colors along the trail. I can vouch for the abundance of shade along the Ohio to Erie Trail, with shaded miles far outnumbering unshaded ones. The abandoned railroad corridors and canalways are lined with trees, providing plenty of shade and vibrant autumn colors along their paths.