An
Easy & Scenic
Ride on the
Moonville
Rail Trail
Trail Open to Mountain Bikes, Horses & Hikers
Story & Photos by Matt Bayman
Pictured above is the King's Hollow Tunnel on the Moonville Rail Trail. Below is the more famous Moonville Tunnel itself. Both are highlights of cycling or hiking this 10-mile trail in southeast Ohio.
At just 10 miles, the Moonville Rail Trail is not very long. But what it lacks in distance it makes up for in scenery, including two historic train tunnels (pictured above), several secluded lakes surrounded by hills and forests, and lush foliage that changes with each new season. With a zero-percent grade, it’s also fairly easy and relaxing to ride, even when doing the 20-mile round-trip between the towns of Zaleski and Mineral in rural Vinton and Athens counties.
The trail, which is open to horses, mountain bikes and hikers, is probably best known for passing through its namesake, the Moonville Tunnel, which, as local legend has it, is haunted. However, and many people would agree, the more interesting tunnel is King’s Hollow Tunnel. It’s located in a more remote part of the trail and is unique because of its wooden design and shape. It seems to be frozen in time and still smells like coal when you pass through it!
The Rail Trail passes by Lake Hope State Park, a very beautiful place.
The trail is built on top of the old Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad Line, most of which is now abandoned. However, just south of Zaleski, the track is still in use at the Austin Powder Co.
The trail is maintained by the Moonville Rail Trail Association. Their eventual goal is to connect the Moonville Trail with the nearby Hockhocking Adena Bikeway (which connects Athens and Nelsonville) and to the south with Lake Alma State Park. Once complete, this would be one of the most impressive trail systems in the Midwest, especially for those seeking the silence and solitude of nature.
And this is really what the Moonville Rail Trail is all about. It’s a chance to explore a very remote and beautiful (especially in the fall and late spring) part of Ohio. Trail users won’t see any houses or buildings along the way, and there are very few roads to cross—two or three at the most. It mostly passes through Zaleski State Forest where you can expect to see a variety of wildlife, especially in the wetlands.
While the trail is “easy and scenic,” there are a few snags to consider. The first is that the trail is mostly a mix of gravel and dirt. Most of it is pretty well-worn, but several areas contain a mix of sand, rocks and grass, which can be harder to ride on and, in fact, dangerous. This makes the trail more appropriate for mountain bikes rather than street bikes. The other snag is access to any water or rest rooms (or any other amenities), of which there are none on the trail. So plan for both!
The round-trip experience takes about three hours to complete on a mountain bike, depending on how long you stop to explore the tunnels and nearby parks and forests. If possible, time your visit up with a sunrise or sunset at nearby Lake Hope State Park this fall. On many fall mornings, a dense fog rolls across the lake, creating an eerie effect as it slowly engulfs the entire surface of the water. In the evening, as the sun sets on the fall foliage, it creates a glow of orange and yellow in the water that is stunning.
If you’d rather try the Moonville Rail Trail by horse, a nearby stable (Uncle Bucks Riding Stable) offers guided trips. A two-hour horseback ride to the Moonville Tunnel is $100 for those ages 9 and up. The trip to the King’s Hollow Tunnel is $120. Other themed rides are available. They can be reached at (740) 677-9032.
To view a full map of the Moonville Rail Trail,
click HERE.
