COLUMBUS: Overlook Trail, Highbanks Metro Park

Take this gravel and hardpack trail 2.3 miles to an observation deck 100 feet above the slow, snaking Olentangy River. "You'll climb steep grades through dense maple forest with rarely too many other hikers," says Kathy Lince, president of the YMCA Columbus hiking club.

Published Sep 20, 2013

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Waypoints

Trailhead Parking

Location: 39.453519, -82.573253

Access the Rim Trail or Gorge Trail from here.

Reach the rim

Location: 39.457048, -82.574197

After about a 200-foot gain, the trail level off atop the rim of the gorge.

Narrows

Location: 39.461107, -82.57939

Gaze south and southwest. The gorge narrows to only about 100 feet wide at this point.

Descent

Location: 39.454762, -82.575721

Begin short descent back to parking area.

Observation deck

Location: 39.461819, -82.581342

Gorge Trail

Location: 39.454397, -82.573618

Want more? Cruise the bottom of the gorge .5 mile (one way) to a waterfall.

Junction

Location: 39.454115, -82.573231

head uphill on the Rim Trail for a counter clockwise loop.