Hiking Collection by Will
Buckeye Trail — A blue-blazed loop around the state of Ohio
12 days
27-56 h/day
2,091km
19,210m
19,210m
The Buckeye Trail is a mix of trails that run through state and regional parks, historic paths, and bikeways, with sections of road walking through trail towns, cities, and rural parts of Ohio as well. When the trail was built in the 1950s, it started as a path from the Ohio River to Lake Erie, but it has evolved over the years into a loop trail with 26 sections that allow you to start from any point and to hike it however you like. Lots of locals slowly work on the trail over the course of years or months, covering one section at a time, while others choose to take a whole season to thru-hike the full trail. Aside from the main loop, there are two smaller loops within the Buckeye Trail. The “Little Loop” in the northeast corner is a very popular section of the trail that has its own Collection here: komoot.com/collection/3879216. The “Whipple Loop” is slightly more rural and often skipped by thru-hikers who aren’t worried about completing all the sections. This Collection offers an overview of the main loop, omitting the two smaller loops, and starting and ending at the northern terminus at Headlands Dunes State Nature Reserve along Lake Erie. It is broken into 12 sections, but can easily be divided up or approached from a different starting point according to your needs.
The Buckeye Trail is managed by the Buckeye Trail Association, a network of local volunteers who are passionate about maintaining the trail and making it accessible for anyone who wants to hike it. Each section has a designated supervisor who can be contacted when organizing logistics for hiking the trail. This is important since each section has its own challenges, especially when it comes to lodging and resupply in more rural sections. buckeyetrail.org is a great resource for finding a breakdown of the sections, along with contacts for section supervisors as you plan your hike. This is one of the things that adds to the sense of community around the trail and is a fun part of the experience!
Due to the scale of the trail, transportation options can vary. In some more populated areas, there is public transit and access to ride-share services or shuttles, but through most of the trail it is useful to have your own car. If you are hiking it in sections, parking at one end and arranging for a ride back to your vehicle works best. However if you are attempting a full thru-hike, it’s good to arrange to leave your car somewhere safe or move it with you as you complete each section. In general, the official sections of the Buckeye Trail are divided more by mileage than waypoints, so where one section ends and another begins might not always be the best place to stop for the night on a thru-hike.
Spring and fall are generally the most comfortable times for hiking the Buckeye Trail. Summer can be hot and humid, especially on exposed road walks, and in winter there can be snow and icy conditions on trails. Because of the trail’s length and variety, it is best to prepare for a wide range of conditions. Waterproof footwear is good for boggy areas and rain, and sun protection and lots of water capacity along with filtering are useful for more rural sections. Lightweight camping gear will give you the option to set up at campsites but won’t burden you if you decide to stay at lodging. Because there is a lot of road walking it is also good to have lighter shoes like trail runners.
However you decide to approach this loop around the state of Ohio, enjoy the mix of scenery and culture it has to offer, and follow those blue blazes along the way!
Visibility:
Anyone
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Buckeye Trail — Ohio
2,115km
19,390m
19,390m
Last updated: October 9, 2025
Do it yourself!
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Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full route below as a template.
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Activities
217km
56:33
1,550m
1,370m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
188km
50:28
2,170m
2,230m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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182km
49:13
2,470m
2,440m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
185km
50:43
2,830m
2,960m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
183km
51:00
3,450m
3,430m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
184km
49:43
2,490m
2,440m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
105km
27:30
790m
840m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
173km
44:38
940m
940m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
143km
36:14
360m
330m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
162km
40:49
210m
270m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
174km
44:00
350m
260m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
196km
51:38
1,600m
1,700m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Collection Stats
Activities
12
Distance
2,091 km
Duration
552:29 h
Elevation
19,210 m
19,210 m
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