Bike Ride: Kokosing Gap Trail

Karen rolled me out of bed early this morning so we could get a bike ride in before the sun climbed too high and the temps returned to the humid, upper 90's. It's not often that Karen is up before I am, but this morning she already had the car out and the bike rack on before I made it out of the house. The dogs were shocked, I tell you. Shocked. Me? I was very impressed.

Pulling away from the curb about 6:15 AM, we enjoyed the 45 minute drive north through farm land and rolling hills, to Howard, OH where we parked in the access lot for the Kokosing Gap Trail.

The Kokosing Gap Trail has been judged one of the top Rails-To-Trails in the nation. We have to agree. It's a flat, 14 mile, asphalt pathway leading from Mt. Vernon on the west end, to Danville on the east. Kokosing is part of the larger 453 mile Ohio to Erie Trail and we've even ridden a portion of the Mohican Trail which continues east out of Danville. There are playgrounds, restroom facilities, benches, break areas, picnic spots, and river access for fishing, all well maintained and accessible 24/7, 365 days a year.


It was a beautiful morning to ride. We typically enter the trail at Howard and ride the nine miles west into Mt. Vernon. The trail winds through farm land and parallels the Kokosing River, crossing it at two points. There are two trestle bridges, plenty of small wildlife to enjoy, and most of the trail is either tree covered or tree-lined. Click HERE to see a map of the trail.

At the Howard, OH trail head at sunrise.

Looking east toward Danville

Starting west toward Mt. Vernon

We saw Cardinals, Robins, Eastern Towhees, Grey Cowbirds, Blue Jays, sparrows of various kinds, chipmunks, gray squirrels, rabbits, a deer, cows, horses, Canadian geese, and Karen bumped into a few mosquitoes. Oh yes, and we saw a Manatee!

Gambier is about midway between Howard and Mt. Vernon. The trail stop is actually on the Kenyon College athletic fields next to the tennis courts and across from their athletic facility and stadium. The campus is beautiful and leads into the quaint town of Gambier. The trail stop features a locomotive, flat car, and caboose for visual enjoyment and climbing on. There's also a bench with Karen's name on it.

The Kokosing Gap train

Karen on her bench in Gambier

We hit the trail about 7:00 and made it back to the car around 10:00. We enjoyed the ride, took several breaks, and took some pictures. We hope you enjoy the photos and get a feel for the fun we had doing something a little different today.

Taking a break by the Lilly Pond at Kenyon College's Brown Family Environmental Center.

Johnny Appleseed planted orchards and owned property in the area.

Johnny Knobby-Knees

And as an added bonus..The Manatee mailbox in Warsaw, OH!

Awwwww....