Ohio Rails to Trails - Review

Trail	Kokosing Gap Trail
Location	Danville to Mount Vernon
Length	14 miles
Surface	Asphalt
Condition	Very good
Restroom sites	4 - Mount Vernon, Gambier, Howard, & Danville
Drinking water sites	3 – Mount Vernon, Gambier, & Howard
Food accessibility	Grocery Stores and Restaurants in Mount Vernon and Danville
Traffic	The majority of the road crossing have very light traffic
Bike shops
Highlights	Scenic, rural, many shaded sections
Parking access	Mount Vernon, Gambier, Howard, and Danville
Visited	May 26, 08 & June 12, 08

www.kokosinggaptrail.org

see commentary below

Additional Trail Reviews:

Hockhocking-Adena Trail

North Coast Inland Trail

B & O Trail

Tri-County Triangle Trail

Holmes County Trail

Wabash Cannonball Trail

TJ Evans Trail

Sippo Valley Trail

NCIT Clyde to Fremont

Little Miami Valley Trail #1

Rails to Trails Home Page

See all trail photos here

Commentary:

This is one of my favorite Rails-Trails in Ohio. Why? Every time I have bicycled the trail, it has been clean, the berms are mowed, and there are no serious cracks on the trail. It is smooth, clean, and a credit to the non-profit organization which oversees the trail. In addition, it runs through the rolling hills of Knox County, which is very picturesque, and the Kokosing River meanders around and under the trail as you cross the handful of bridges. There are scenic hillsides of forests and farms, and plenty of benches for those who wish to rest or take in the natural beauty of the area. And, being just under14 miles one way, it is just long enough for a decent ride.

 A 12 member volunteer board, which is appointed by the Knox County Commissioners oversees all day-to-day maintenance and projects. There are other trail organizations out there that may want to consider contacting this board for insights on how to effectively maintain rail trails.

The Kokosing Gap Trail has plenty of parking at 4 major locations. In Danville, they just set new asphalt in the parking lot, and are building a picnic shelter. The only facility here is a porta-potty. In Howard, there is a park off route 36 below the road overpass, available at this location is water, restrooms, and some parking. In Gambier, near the college tennis courts there is parking, nice restrooms and water. In Mount Vernon there is parking directly off route 229, but for the restrooms and water fountain you must cross route 229 and continue about 500 feet to reach the facilities in Phillips Park.There is a sign stating this at the parking lot and terminus of the trail.

When I am out bicycling different trails, and the conversation turns to trails with cyclists I meet along the way, very often the Kokosing Gap Trail is mentioned by them without prompting from me as one of their favorite trails. 

This trail is not overly busy, even on the most pleasant days. The Mount Vernon end is naturally more utilized because you are near a larger population base. Sometimes the Gambier station can be a bit congested. Higher population areas are obviously busier areas for trails, especially with walkers, rollerbladers, and ‘occassional’ bicyclists. Just as always one must be a bit more alert to unanticipated movements by these people in these more congested areas.

An excellent trail, enjoyable, scenic, and well maintained.

www.kokosinggaptrail.org

review by Mark Archibald