HomeOhioMt Vernon › Heart of Ohio Trail

Heart of Ohio Trail

4.9 ★★★★★ 41 Google reviews · Running trail in Mt Vernon, Ohio · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Heart of Ohio 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.

PavedScenicTrailhead parking

Paved hiking trail with scenic views that's suitable for children.

What runners say about Heart of Ohio Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (41 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 11 mentions

“It a constant must visit❤🥰 the hard work that goes into maintaining this beautiful trial does not go unnoticed.”

Nice trail that is fully paved. Not as well developed as Kokosing Gap Trail, but still has some nice scenery. looks like restrooms every 6 miles or so. No facilities at the trailhead right now, so we needed to run down to McDonald's before we started the ride. We would love to ride it again in the spring.

★★★★★ — Jay , Nov 2023

This was a lovely bike trip- I took the trail from Centerburg to Mt Vernon and back. The wildflowers framed the trail for most of the trip. The trail follows the creek, so you can hear the refreshing babbling of the creek while you go.

★★★★★ — Kate , Jul 2020

Beautiful shady trail that is a lovely bike ride from Centerburg to Mount Vernon. The Mount Vernon end has trailheads along Ariel Foundation Park, a super place to explore. The Centerburg trailhead is at Memorial Park and has convenient parking just off Route 3.

★★★★★ — Tom , Oct 2019

Very nice trail and is most enjoyable riding from Centerburg to Mount Vernon.

★★★★★ — James , Nov 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 41 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 12 mentions

“It a constant must visit❤🥰 the hard work that goes into maintaining this beautiful trial does not go unnoticed.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“No facilities at the trailhead right now, so we needed to run down to McDonald's before we started the ride.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“Nice trail that is fully paved.”

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Plan your run at Heart of Ohio Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • 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.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners

Where to find Heart of Ohio Trail

Mt Vernon, Ohio

Get directions

Running trails near Mt Vernon

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

Memorial Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 481 reviews

Mt Vernon, OH

Lively park featuring playgrounds, sports fields and a skate park.

under a mile away

Chester Shock Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 11 reviews

Mt Vernon, OH

under a mile away

Ariel-Foundation Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,702 reviews

Mt Vernon, OH

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Sprawling, 250-acre park built on former factory grounds featuring hiking trails, a museum & lakes.

under a mile away

Kokosing Gap Trail

4.9 ★★★★★ 319 reviews

Mt Vernon, OH

15 miPavedShadedScenic

Paved trail for biking, running, walking, hiking, rollerblading and jogging with benches and scenic views.

under a mile away

Knox Woods State Nature Preserve

5 ★★★★★ 5 reviews

Mt Vernon, OH

3.0 miles away

Wolf Run Regional Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 327 reviews

Mt Vernon, OH

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Open park featuring fenced dog runs, shady trails, a storybook trail and picnic areas.

3.3 miles away

All running trails in Mt Vernon, 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.