Trail Review: Sharon Woods Metro Park, Columbus, Ohio
Here in the greater Columbus, Ohio, area, we’re definitely lucky to have a great metro parks system—and, during the summer, my daughter and I love to get out and visit as many of them as we can. So, for a recent morning stroll, we decided to return to Sharon Woods Metro Park.
Sharon Woods Metro Park is one of the parks that we visit from time to time—because it’s not far from home, and it’s got some great amenities. When my daughter was younger, she enjoyed exploring the multiple playgrounds, hiking to the natural play area, and stopping by the 11-acre lake, too. These days, though, I go to Sharon Woods to meet friends for a walk.
Sharon Woods offers a number of different options for walking—both paved and unpaved. Though I’ve explored both, I prefer the paved multi-purpose trail that circles the park. The loop trail spans around 3.85 miles around the outside of the park—and though you can sometimes see neighborhoods or hear the nearby highway through the surrounding wooded areas, it’s generally a quiet, peaceful trail. Though you’ll encounter plenty of walkers, runners, and bikers on the trail (but no dog walkers—because pets are prohibited on the multi-purpose trail), it’s removed from the noisy parts of the park. That seclusion makes it feel like a relaxing escape, but it can also make me a little uneasy at times—which is why I tend to go there with a walking buddy instead of walking there alone.
Though the trail is scenic—lined with fields and forests, offering a mix of sunny patches and shaded stretches—its long hills can make for a challenging walk. I didn’t remember the hills being as strenuous as they are, and I heard some complaints from my daughter on our latest walk there—since I’d promised to go easy on her. But it was still an enjoyable walk for a cooler summer morning.
Pros:
– Scenic trail with a mix of shade and sun
– A variety of playgrounds and picnic areas in the park
– Paved trail is quiet and peaceful
– A number of unpaved trails to explore, in addition to paved trail
Cons:
– A couple of large hills
– 3.85-mile loop might be too much for some walkers
– Dog aren’t allowed on the paved trail
– Trail feels a bit secluded—so you might want to use the buddy system
For more on Sharon Woods Metro Park, visit the Columbus Metro Parks website.
