The Little Miami Trail -- 60 Miles of Great Biking

The Little Miami Trail is a paved bike/hike/skate trail following an abandoned railroad route, mostly close to the Little Miami State and National Scenic River, from Milford, an eastern suburb of Cincinnati, to Yellow Springs, 60 miles north. For much of its length, the pavement is paralleled by a grassy strip suitable for horses, walkers or runners who dislike pavement, and cross-country skiing in rare winters. The route is entirely off-road except for five blocks in Xenia.

  The route starts just across U.S. 50 in Milford, about 10 miles northeast of downtown Cincinnati. (Three miles of trail south of Milford are overgrown railroad ballast, not bikeable). There are 40 parking spaces at the terminus, and limited spaces on city streets across the river. The first 8-9 miles are through industrial and then fairly heavily populated areas, with perhaps six road crossings to Loveland.

  Because Loveland and the state park have provided excellent parking facilities, and maintain a water supply and year-round heated toilet facilities, Loveland is the principal starting-point for most users. Snack shops, skate and bike rental in season.

  Leaving Loveland, the area quickly becomes rural, with the trail closely following the Little Miami River. Heavy use can require caution on the part of cyclists for the first mile or so, especially on summer weekends. Soon the baby carriages, tricycles and family pedestrian groups thin out, and cyclists will pass only occasional walkers, joggers or in-line skaters. At mile 13, a riverside bar offers the usual, plus a toilet if you can find your way through their inky gloom. A small township park and public parking area abut the trail.

Shade! The railroad had been abandoned for years before the trail was built, so for most of its length, the path is shaded most of the time by overhanging trees. It's much more comfortable in summer than an open road!

A few miles further on, the screams of patrons can occasionally be heard from the Kings Island Amusement Park, invisible on the hill across the river. On the east side of the trail stand the remains of the Peters Cartridge factory, dating from at least World War I but also used in WW II. The shot tower and ruins of concrete bunkers for storing explosives can be seen. An effort is being made to develop current uses for some of the old buildings. The twenty-odd parking spaces here are often filled.

  Shortly the trail passes Middletown Junction, now just woods, where the railroad branched to a line leading northwest to Middletown. Surprisingly tall pedestals remain from a road bridge built to service the former railroad workers' village there; the old rail bridge is being used to convey water mains across the river for growing suburbs on the hilltop areas. Along this big curve, the trend of the route changes from north to east and remains so until we reach Morrow. The trail passes South Lebanon (informal parking here), then climbs modestly to a height of land bounded on both sides by large gravel pit lakes, some apparently dating from railroad-building operations. The last 1.5 miles into Morrow is gently downhill. We have traveled 13 miles from Loveland or 22 miles from Milford.

  At Morrow, the State Park has provided a picnic shelter, a large parking lot, water and toilets in summer. The town maintains the area and an adjacent park nicely. In season, snack shops appear nearby; a drive-through beer vendor at the north end of town has a "Subway" sign out.

  Here the river turns again, and the trail turns northward. Five wooded miles take you to the foot of Fort Ancient, a prehistoric earthworks on the hilltop. The road up the hill (St. Rte. 350) is steep, winding and busy, but a half-mile south is a well-made foot trail up the hill to the fort. If you can lock your bikes well off the bike trail, the short hike is worth the time and effort. Morgan's canoe livery at the road crossing is a beehive of activity in nice weather, and has snacks and soft drinks for sale. Parking in state canoe access lot or Morgan's lots.

  Two miles further on, a location known as Mathers Mill, there is another state canoe access (parking) and then another canoe livery. Continue along a wide valley with steep hills on each side through Oregonia (bar, cafe, general store) to Corwin. Here the state has built a large parking lot and toilets. A very popular snack and ice-cream shop is just across the street. Bike and skate rental available, too. One-half mile west, across the river, is Waynesville, a larger town with a small hotel, restaurants and lots of antiques stores.

For those who get bored with so much level riding, the closely parallel Corwin Road introduces a few mild hills in the stretch from Mathers Mill to Corwin. For a high-energy excursion, ride up one of the roads off Corwin Road, such as Elbon Rd., and back down. A longer and hillier diversion between Corwin and Spring Valley skirts the Caesar Creek Park and takes you through some upland countryside beginning a little gentrification. Take New Burlington Rd. out of Corwin, then Compton Rd., then left (west) on Roxanna-New Burlington Rd. down to the trail again. Light traffic on these roads.

  Beyond Corwin, the valley opens to a wide bottom-land, the route leaves the river and passes mostly through farm fields, more of the ubiquitous gravel operations, close alongside Spring Valley Wildlife Area with its large wetland (a favorite with birders) and eventually under U.S. 42 and into the small town of Spring Valley. The town has a large park on the bottom-land, equipped with Porta-Johns and water in summer. Ice cream and snacks for sale in the village. Here we are 35 miles from Loveland or 44 from Milford.

  At Spring Valley, the trail leaves the Little Miami and follows a smaller tributary on a gentle rise toward Xenia. It passes a large parking area off Lower Bellbrook Rd., crosses U.S. 42 (careful! -- no one stops for you) and ends at U.S. 68 (Detroit St.). Here there is a large parking lot and a new visitor center. We're 42 miles from Loveland, 51 from Milford.
  From the visitor center, one can take the "H-Connector" trail towards Dayton (open and paved to the county line, 15 miles) or walk across U.S. 68 and take a 10-mile paved trail to Cedarville.

To continue to Yellow Springs, cross U.S. 68, go one block east then five blocks north to left on Church St. to the start of the next trail section. There are toilets and water in the Xenia city park adjacent to the trail. Plenty of parking there also.

  The eight mile section from Xenia to Yellow Springs is managed by the Greene County Park District. Several street crossings in town require extra care -- don't expect drivers to stop for bikers. Then the trail gets into open country, crosses Massie Creek and then the Little Miami, and only a couple of road crossings before reaching residential outskirts of Yellow Springs. Total mileage from Milford is about 60.

  Yellow Springs is the site of Antioch College, Glen Helen Nature Preserve, and John Bryan State Park. East beyond the state park is Clifton Gorge, a unique natural area well worth detouring to see.

  In Yellow Springs, there is an official cyclists' parking lot about a block north and west of U.S. 68, just north of town. Usually parking can be found on city streets, especially Corry St. on the east side of Antioch campus, parallel to the trail. Lots of restaurants and other facilities in Y.S.

Accommodations:

We often meet people who started at Xenia or Yellow Springs and expect to stay overnight at the south end. But Loveland and Milford are bedroom suburbs with NO motels or B&Bs.
Be forewarned!

• Yellow Springs: Reportedly there is a hotel (the Spartan Hotel) and you can find B&B's. Camping available in John Bryan State Park, 1 mile east.
  Xenia: Holiday Inn and Best Western just west of downtown on the main east-west street. Allendale Inn a bit further west.
  Corwin: Across the river in Waynesville is the Creekwood Motel, corner of US 42 and SR 73, and the Hammel Hotel, on Main St.
  Lebanon: Though it's about six miles west, a pleasant ride from Oregonia or Mathers Mill, you might like to plan ahead and stay at The Golden Lamb, Ohio's oldest inn (with a great restaurant).
  Mathers Mill: Little Miami Canoe Livery operates a campground, but it seems to be mostly trailers.
  Fort Ancient: In summer, Morgan's Canoe livery has a campground across the river at the bridge two miles south (Strout Rd.). Check at the canoe livery first.
  Kings Mills: Across the river from the Peters Cartridge Factory and up the steep hill is the Kings Manor B&B (4 rooms). One level mile beyond, at the I-71 exits, are the Kings Island Inn, the Holiday Inn Express, and lots of restaurants.
  Morrow, Loveland: Nothing nearby. No campground, either.
  Milford: Nearest is the three-star Mariemont Inn, (call ahead) about five level miles southwest on busy U.S. 50. It's OK to ride in daylight, but don't try that road after dark. If you can afford the Mariemont Inn, you can afford a taxi to get there!
  Of course, if you're driving to Cincinnati to start the ride, there are many hotels and motels where you could stay and then drive to your starting point.

Last updated 9/26/98 by Stewart Rowe