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Big Walnut Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 45 Google reviews · Running trail in Columbus, Ohio · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Big Walnut Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

PavedScenicQuiet

What runners say about Big Walnut Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (45 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“I love Big Walnut trail as It is peaceful and scenic view is beautiful!”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“Great for a nice peaceful walk, greeted by smiles and waves along the paths.”

One of my favorite local trails in the Gahanna area. Love the scenery beautiful bridges and added artwork. Great for a nice peaceful walk, greeted by smiles and waves along the paths.

★★★★★ — Nereida , Sep 2024

This is a great family friendly trail. It is mom/kid friendly too with restrooms at several parks along the way & I believe it is completely pavement or sidewalk for the whole thing, so jogging strollers and bikes will work! There are some quite steep parts, especially at Knobb Hill!

★★★★★ — Lyndsay , Nov 2022

So cute! Follow the path through the golf course to the mini arboretum along the creek. A charming walk for any season. If you go in winter, be super careful if you cross any wooden bridges!

★★★★☆ — Tori , Dec 2022

This is a great place to take a walk or walk your dog. It is paved and mostly flat, especially along the creek. Depending on the time of day, it has many shaded areas to enjoy. You can also walk on both sides of the creek near the downtown area.

★★★★★ — Don , Jun 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 45 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“I love Big Walnut trail as It is peaceful and scenic view is beautiful!”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“Great for a nice peaceful walk, greeted by smiles and waves along the paths.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“It is paved and mostly flat, especially along the creek.”

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Plan your run at Big Walnut Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.

Hours

Monday 6:30 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 6:30 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 6:30 AM–10 PM
Thursday 6 AM–9:30 PM
Friday 6:30 AM–10 PM
Saturday 6 AM–9:30 PM
Sunday 6:30 AM–10 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Big Walnut Trail

409 E Johnstown Rd, Columbus, OH 43230

Get directions

Running trails near Columbus

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

McCorkle Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 164 reviews

Gahanna, OH

Shaded

Soccer, a playground, and picnic tables are offered at this park with walking trails.

under a mile away

Creekside Park & Arboretum

4.8 ★★★★★ 392 reviews

Gahanna, OH

MixedLitScenic

Pedestrian-friendly park featuring a creek for paddle boats and kayaks as well as a fountain and dining.

under a mile away

Big Walnut Trail

5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews

Gahanna, OH

under a mile away

Friendship Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 782 reviews

Gahanna, OH

Natural surfaceScenic

A 23-acre plot with sports fields, picnicking, a playground & creek access for canoeing & fishing.

1.0 miles away

Woodside Green Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 584 reviews

Gahanna, OH

PavedShadedScenic

Park with a natural play area and other playgrounds, plus picnic areas plus baseball fields and trails, as well as canoe, kayak and fishing spots.

1.1 miles away

Gahanna MTB

4.6 ★★★★★ 5 reviews

Gahanna, OH

1.5 miles away

All running trails in Columbus, OH →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.