Safety Tips and Guidelines

• Stay to the right
• Pass on the left-slow down and call out before passing
• Use caution at all intersections and obey all traffic signs
• Wear brightly colored clothes to alert motorist and hunters
• Respect private property and do not trespass
• Keep dogs leashed and curbed
• Carry out what you carry in
• Leave plants and flowers intact

Access Points with Parking Available

• Mile 0- East State St. Recreation Area on East State St. in Athens
• Mile 4- West State St. Ball Fields on West State St. in Athens
• Mile 10.2- off of SR 682 in The Plains (limited parking)
• Mile 16.2- Robbins' Crossing/Hocking College on Hocking Parkway in Nelsonville

Ohio University: miles 1-3

Chartered in 1804, Ohio University was the first university in the Northwest Territory. Nestled along the Hocking River, Ohio University boasts historic architecture, brick streets and tree-lined walkways. Today over 19,000 students are enrolled at the Athens campus.

The Armitage House: mile 5.5

Built in 1832 from bricks made on the farm, the Armitage House was originally a "bank" house, with the main entrance on the second floor. In the early 1900s, the Armitage family opened up two more rooms in the downstairs, and put in a central hall and stairway, furnace and bathroom. Water was supplied by a windmill-operated well that pumped water to a cistern on the hill behind the house. Gravity then carried the water to the house. Over the years, three families have lived in the house - the Armitage, the Balls, and the DePues.

Eclipse Company Town: mile 7.1

An historic coal company store and grouping of former miners' homes lie to the west of the bikeway at mile 7.1. This site is one of the best examples of company town architecture remaining in Ohio. A mine opening farther north near mile 14.5 helped supply some of the 2.5 million tons of coal mined in Athens County between 1820 and 1993.

Beaumont/Salina: mile 10.2

Originally platted as Tyler, the town of Salina was home to Milbury M. Green, a major player in bringing the Columbus and Hocking Valley Railroad to the region. He and partner George Gould owned Salina's salt and coal mines. In its heyday, Salina was second only to Chauncey in regional salt production. In 1860, Salina boasted a population of 88. The salt and coal mines stopped production in the late 1880s, and after 1895, the town became known as Beaumont.

Wayne National Forest: miles 12-14

The Wayne National Forest covers more than a quarter million acres of Appalachian foothills. Covered with hardwood and pine, the rugged hills of the Wayne also feature several rock shelters, natural springs and abundant wildlife.  The Wayne National Forest covers more than a quarter million acres of Appalachian foothills. Covered with hardwood and pine, the rugged hills of the Wayne also feature several rock shelters, natural springs and abundant wildlife.

Flora and Fauna

Natural wonders can be seen during all four seasons. The fertile valley along the bikeway also produces corn, hay, and soybeans. View high cliffs and rock outcrops between miles 13 - 13.5 and 14.5 - 15. Outstanding displays of Spring wildflowers can be found especially between miles 10.5 - 13.5. The wildflowers, which are best viewed from late March through early May, include Bloodroot, Hepatica, Wild Geranium, Dutchman's Breeches, Large-flowered Bellwort, Phlox, Virginia Bluebells, Solomon's-seal, Canada and Yellow Violets, Blue-eyed Mary, Toothworts, Bishop's Cap, three species of Trillium and many others intermixed with Maidenhair and Wood Ferns. Autumn also ushers in spectacular fall foliage viewing along the bikeway.

Watch nesting Prothonotary Warblers between miles 8 8.5. Other birds to look out for include Bluebirds, Cardinals, Wood Ducks, Wild Turkey, Red-tailed Hawks, Turkey Vultures, Yellowthroats, Indigo Buntings, Pileated Woodpeckers and many more. In addition to the various bird species you may encounter, watch for cottontail rabbits, chipmunks, mink, gray squirrels, deer, fox, and snakes along the way.

The wildflowers are best viewed in April and early May. They include Bloodroot, Hepatica, Wild Geranium, Dutchman's Breeches (shown here), Bellwort, Phlox, Bluebells, Solomon's-seal, Canada and Yellow Violets, Blue-eyed Mary, Toothworts, Bishop's-cap, three species of Trillium, and many others, intermixed with Maidenhair and Wood Ferns. Wildflowers are easily damaged by foot-traffic; please be careful not to trample the plants when examining or photographing them. It should go without saying that wildflowers must not be picked! Leave them for others to enjoy.

Snakes are often found on the bikeway. The black pavement absorbs solar energy during the day, so it is an attractive basking site for snakes during the early evening hours, especially in the spring. One of the most frequently observed is the Black Ratsnake (shown here), which may grow quite large but is not venomous. However, Copperheads (poisonous) are common in southeastern Ohio and have been seen on the bikeway.

Do not disturb or attempt to handle unidentified snakes on the bikeway!! If you are sure that a snake is non-poisonous, and you are concerned about it being run over by a bicycle (which has occurred with small snakes), you may want to push it gently off the pavement with a long stick. Remember that we are sharing the bikeway with the native animals. Please treat them with respect.

Map of Hockhocking Adena Bikeway (pdf.)