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.
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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.
