The best walks and hikes around Westerville

Yes, there are over 50 hiking routes in and around Westerville. The area is known for its extensive network of recreational paths that connect numerous parks and nature preserves, offering a wide variety of options for all levels.

The vast majority of trails in the Westerville area are rated as easy, making it an excellent destination for casual hikers and families. While there are a few moderate routes, you won't find any technically difficult or strenuous mountain hikes here. The terrain is generally flat, with well-maintained paths.

Most parks in the Westerville area, including the popular Sharon Woods and Highbanks Metro Parks, allow dogs on their trails as long as they are leashed. These parks offer miles of paths through woodlands and open fields, perfect for exploring with your canine companion.

Inniswood Metro Gardens is a fantastic choice for families. It features beautifully maintained botanical gardens and easy, accessible trails. The Inniswood Metro Gardens loop is a short, engaging walk suitable for all ages. Another great option is Sharon Woods, which has playgrounds and a fishing lake in addition to its easy trails.

Yes, many of Westerville's trails are paved and accessible. The Edward S. Thomas Trail within Sharon Woods Metro Park is an ADA-accessible path through a state nature preserve. Additionally, the Alum Creek Trail and the Ohio to Erie Trail, which pass through the area, are multi-use paved paths ideal for strollers.

While the Westerville area is not known for large, dramatic waterfalls, you can find small, scenic cascades, especially after rainfall. The trails in Highbanks Metro Park follow ravines carved by the Olentangy River, and some sections feature small waterfalls dripping down the shale bluffs.

The komoot community rates the hikes around Westerville very highly. Reviewers frequently praise the well-maintained and clearly marked trail systems, the peaceful woodland scenery, and the accessibility of nature so close to the city. The variety of parks, from formal gardens to more rugged nature preserves, is also a highlight.

For a longer walk, consider the Sugarbush Trail — Blendon Woods Metro Park. At nearly 4 miles, it offers a more extended experience through the park's diverse habitats. You can also combine several loops within larger parks like Highbanks or Sharon Woods to create a longer route.

Hoover Reservoir is a premier location for bird watching, with its diverse habitats of wetlands, forests, and meadows attracting a wide variety of species. Blendon Woods Metro Park is also excellent, featuring observation windows at the nature center that overlook feeders, and trails that pass through habitats favored by many birds.

Yes, most of the popular trails in Westerville's parks are loops. This makes for convenient hiking as you'll end up back where you started without needing to retrace your steps. The Sharon Woods Metro Park loop via Spring Creek Trail is a great example of a scenic circular route.

If you're looking for a less manicured trail, Char-Mar Ridge Park is a great choice. Its Glacier Ridge Trail winds through 120 acres of wooded terrain with ravines and creeks. Highbanks Metro Park also offers a more natural feel with its towering trees and trails that descend into deep ravines along the river.