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Lake Hope
18 reviews
4.67 of 5
This set of trails is perfect single-track. Nice and narrow, but well defined. My guess is that not a lot of people have ridden here. Don't get me wrong when I say this, but there is very little variety to these trails. There are some gradual uphills and some gradual downhills, and that's about it. There is only one section that is really fast, but due to some fallen trees you have to reduce speed to get over them.
There are about 16 miles of trails. There is a loop of about 3.5 miles (this includes the fast downhill) that starts at the trails head. This seems like the most widely used trails. Very twisty and turny, rolly polly hills. Never anything too steep up or down.
My advice is to print off a map from the website listed. The other trails cross over a few roads, and if you don't know which way to go, you could miss the next trail section. A MAP is the key!
There are few log crossings which are some good tests. One the big downhill, there is a ditch crossing that is 3 feet deep (see website). Just pick up and carry your bike over.
Overall, the people I rode with loved the trails, but you never got your fill of speed. As soon as you got some speed going there would be a tight turn to slow you down.
map website: http://www.athenscyclepath.com/LocalplacestorideLakeHopeMain.html
check out www.spokejunkies.com
We came from Columbus and took Rt. 33 to Nelsonville. Look for Rt 278 right when you enter the city and head west. Take 278 about 15 miles through the hills until you reach Lake Hope.
If coming from Southwestern Ohio, Rt 56 might be an option also.
This State Park has 3 or 4 entrances. You want the one farthest to the west, past the lake. Pull in, and the trail head is immediatley on the right.
Summary: This trail is consistently ranked as one of the best in Ohio, and for good reason. Don't believe the other message boards saying that Alum Creek is than this. Lake Hope is fast, flowy and what a mountain bike trail should be. I'll agree that there isn't a ton of technical stuff here for you guys that love the rock gardens, but it makes up for that in other areas. Lots of trails to choose from. Take a weekend and explore it all, you won't be dissappointed.
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Summary: I spent a weekend riding these trails as part of the WVMBA race series. These trails are really, really fun. This is definitely one of my top 3 favorite trails in the region. Its not very technical, but is really fast with enough tight turns and small climbs and downhills to keep things interesting. These trails also seem well used, so you don't have to worry about extensive undergrowth clogging up the trails.
Recommended Route: All of them
Other recommended trails in the same area: 7 springs, Coopers Rock, Big Bear, Mountwood
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Summary: i rode this trail yesterday and it was just like every other time, great! a little soggy in some spots, especially on the new section of the sidewinder trail. this is a really great system of trails and im fortunate that its pretty close to where i live. ride on.
Recommended Route: any
Other recommended trails in the same area: sells park(athens trail system) great seal state park, also tar hollow state park, it has a 2.5 mile trail that i cleared last season that not too many people ride or know about.
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Summary: i rode this trail yesterday and it was just like every other time, great! a little soggy in some spots, especially on the new section of the sidewinder trail. this is a really great system of trails and im fortunate that its pretty close to where i live. ride on.
Recommended Route: any
Other recommended trails in the same area: sells park(athens trail system) great seal state park, also tar hollow state park, it has a 2.5 mile trail that i cleared last season that not too many people ride or know about.
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Summary: fast and not techincally challenging. The sidewinder trail winds uphill (cardiovascularly challenging) for 3 miles or so. Then you split to wildcat or copperhead. Very fast and twisty. Good fun. Bobcat is also a great ride from there. The Hope Furnace trail offers a fast lakeside trek with very little elevation change and great views of the lake.
Recommended Route: Sidewinder (knocks out the uphill quick) wildcat, Bobcat, Furnace trail to parking lot. Many people ride it the opposite way.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Dorr Run
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4.67 of 5
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