This Ohio City Is An Underrated Gem For Nature Lovers

Surrounded by the calming waters of the Hocking River in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Athens proves Ohio is so much more than cornfields! Located southeast of Columbus, it’s an underrated gem with fantastic opportunities to spend quiet time in nature. From the untapped wilderness of Strouds Run State Park to the fantastic bike paths of Bike Athens that winds through town, it is a perfect town for nature lovers who want to experience the best of Ohio. Whether you want to explore Athens by foot, bike, kayak, or train, there are so many ways to get lost in the beauty of Athens, Ohio. The rich community spirit, uncrowded parks, and scenic vistas make Athens one of Ohio's hidden gems.

The Underrated Gem of Appalachian Ohio

Athens is often overshadowed by towns closer to Hocking Hills, like Logan or Rockbridge (located northwest of Athens). Residents of the Buckeye State are no strangers to the Hocking Hills Region, famous for its beautiful hiking trails, steep bluffs, caves, and waterfalls. However, roadtrippers looking for a secluded escape often head to the town of Logan or Rockbridge, which can get pretty crowded in the peak season. The crowds in Athens, even in the fall, are minimal, making it a cozy and quiet escape without all the traffic.

The town of Athens is often described as the Gateway to Hocking Hills and offers all the amenities of home with pristine parks a stone's throw from amazing pubs and bustling farmer’s markets. It’s also home to Strouds Run State Park, which offers trails that are just as amazing as Hocking Hills but far less crowded. In Athens, you don’t have to sacrifice a high-quality meal and local attractions to take in a bit of fresh air at one of their many parks, which is why it’s such an underrated gem for nature lovers.

Strouds Run State Park

In the midst of the unglaciated Appalachian Plateau lies Strouds Run State Park, an untouched stretch of wilderness ripe with carved valleys left behind by glaciers nearly 12,000 years ago. You can take a leisurely stroll down the limestone Blackhaw Accessible Trail or opt for more of a challenge with the Chestnut Trail or Lakeview Trail, which offers nearly 7 miles of wooded and water views of Dow Lake.

Strouds Run State Park isn’t as crowded as many of the trails in the Hocking Hills region, offering visitors peaceful views that are just as stunning, sans the crowds. Some of the best times of year to visit the park are in late September to early October when the leaves change or late April as the fragrant meadows of wildflowers come into bloom!

Bike Athens

If you love biking, then you will fall in love with the bike paths that Athens has to offer! The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway provides riders with 22 miles of paved trails tracing the banks of the Hocking River, over picturesque bridges, and through rolling countryside. It’s one of the best ways to really explore the town and take in its beauty and river views. If you aren’t a fan of cycling but still want to traverse the paved walkways, you will also find walkers and runnings along the pathway as well!

The name Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is a bit of a mouthful, so locals usually refer to it as the The Bike Path or The Athens County Bike Path. The Bike Path also hosts the Brewed on the Bikeway, which is a self-guided bike tour that allows riders to stop for a brew at one of their many craft breweries, such as Devils Kettle Brewing or Jackie O's. If breweries aren’t exactly your thing, the bikeway will also take you right up to the all-season Athens Farmers Market!

Athens Farmers Market

You will find unique and interesting stops along the Bike Path, but few hold a candle to the Athens Farmers Market. Unlike other seasonal farmer’s markets in the Hocking Hills region, the Athens Farmers Market is open year-round! In the summertime, vendors pitch tents outside the Athens Community Center to sell various goods, like homebaked treats, meats, cheeses, fresh produce, and crafts.

When the weather cools in the winter, vendors head inside the community center to keep the market open all year. It’s such a great farmer’s market that it was recognized by America’s Farmers Market Celebration and the Farmers Market Coalition as the best market in the state of Ohio! No trip to Athens is complete without a trunk full of treats for the ride home from this amazing farmer’s market.

Cozy Town Community Events

The Athens Farmer’s Market may be open year-round, but there are other events in Athens that only happen once a year. Athens’ charming community events highlight the natural beauty of the town and will make you feel like part of the community. The Winter Wildlife Hike along the Beaumont-Salina Trailhead Hockhocking Adena Bikeway, for instance, offers guided tours through the frozen wilderness of Athens in search of traces of native wildlife.

If you want to experience the beauty of the Ohio backcountry, hop aboard the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway! While tours are always in session, special events like the January Elegant Dinner Train or their Fall Foliage Train rides make it feel extra special. Even if you can’t get out and hike the trails, the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway makes it easy for everyone to enjoy the beauty of Appalachia Ohio.

Hocking Hills

About 45 minutes outside of Athens is the crown jewel of Ohio parks: Hocking Hills. The drive down OH-56 is almost as delightful as the park itself. OH-56 takes you through winding countryside dotted with quaint little towns, B&Bs (like Bit Of Country Cabins and Bed and Breakfast), and roadside stops to fill up on snacks. The drive is especially stunning when visiting during peak fall foliage season in September through October!

While there are tons of exciting trails in Hocking Hills, Ash Cave should be your first stop. The trails are densely wooded and fragrant, leading you to the iconic Ash Cave and a stunning 90-foot waterfall. The Ash Cave trail is less than a mile, and it’s a perfect hike for families looking for an easy hike with a spectacular view. Other notable trails in Hocking Hills include Rock House, Cedar Falls, and Conkle’s Hollow. Old Man’s Cave is one of the most popular trails in Hocking Hills, named after a hermit who once lived in the cave in 1796. If you tell an Ohion you visited Hocking Hills, their first question will likely be, “Did you visit Old Man’s Cave?”

Why Athens Should Be On Your Ohio Bucket List

If you want to connect with nature, there is no better spot in Ohio than Athens. It’s a common misconception that Ohio is nothing but vast cornfields and flatlands. Parts of Ohio, like Athens, lie at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, also known as Appalachian Ohio. It’s the strong community spirit and the lack of crowds (especially during the fall foliage season) that make Athens a quiet respite for nature lovers.

Athens offers fantastic views of gently rolling hills with vibrant hemlock and sugar maples, some of the best vistas in the entire state. Visitors can enjoy these vistas via the Bike Path, Strouds Run State Park, or Hocking Valley Scenic Railway. Lovely community events like the Athens Farmers Market or the Winter Wildlife Hike are unique to Athens, which is why it is one of Ohio’s most underrated gems! For nature lovers, Athens is truly an underappreciated respite.