In Your Prime: Hiking helps build stamina and local trails to try out this fall

Fiver Rivers MetroParks have Heart Healthy Trails at several parks, including Carriage Hill and Germantown parks. MIKE COOPER/CONTRIBUTED

Fiver Rivers MetroParks have Heart Healthy Trails at several parks, including Carriage Hill and Germantown parks. MIKE COOPER/CONTRIBUTED
Lifestyles
By Sarah Franks
Sept 3, 2021
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If running isn’t your thing, or you’re just in the mood for a slower exploration of nature, think about taking a hike instead.

We asked Five Rivers MetroParks experts and some Dayton hiking enthusiasts what their top recommendations are for hiking this fall and here’s what we heard:

Here's a Fall 2020 look at Huffman MetroPark on the hiking trails around Huffman Lake & Dam. Due to COVID-19, safe social distancing (6 feet apart) is recommended at all times. For more information, visit metroparks.org. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

Here's a Fall 2020 look at Huffman MetroPark on the hiking trails around Huffman Lake & Dam. Due to COVID-19, safe social distancing (6 feet apart) is recommended at all times. For more information, visit metroparks.org. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

Five Rivers MetroParks has constructed miles of new trails at Germantown MetroPark. The additional mileage snakes through prairie, mature woodlands and wetlands. LISA POWELL / STAFF LISA POWELL / STAFF

Credit: Lisa Powell

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Credit: Lisa Powell

Over 12 miles of well-maintained trails for hiking and walking allow park visitors to explore Englewood MetroPark on foot. FILE

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Hiking in Germantown

Credit: Five Rivers Metroparks

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Credit: Five Rivers Metroparks

TIPS BEFORE YOU GO

“Don’t be scared of the mud and plan to get dirty,” said Mike Cooper, Five Rivers MetroParks trail specialist. “Walk through the mud or step over it. If you walk around it you’re doing more harm than good. Walking around the mud widens the trail, which can be damaging to the habitat surrounding the trails.”

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When hitting the trail, it’s important to stay hydrated, check the forecast and dress for the weather, wear sunscreen and check often for ticks. Any time of the year, however, remember to wear proper footwear and always follow leave-no-trace rules.

FOR MORE EXPERIENCED HIKERS

Twin Creek MetroPark orange trail — Germantown

  • 6 miles of natural surface trail that features a lot of different terrain

Germantown MetroPark silver trail — Germantown

  • 1.6 miles of natural surface trail

Twin Valley Trail — multiple trailhead locations

  • At 27 miles long, the Twin Valley Trail has been featured in Backpacker Magazine. The trail is 30 minutes from downtown Dayton, connecting the existing trail networks of Germantown and Twin Creek MetroParks. The backpacking trail is a close-to-home opportunity to experience a hike, “reminiscent of other wilderness trails with beautiful hills, babbling brooks, abundant wildlife, history and small town charm,” according to Five Rivers. “Most people don’t realize there’s that kind of mileage within MetroParks,” said Angie Sheldon, MetroParks outdoor recreation coordinator. “You don’t even feel like you’re in the city.”

Taylorsville East Park orange trail — Vandalia

  • 3.2 miles of varying terrain. Not too crowded.

FOR NEWBIE TO EXPERIENCED HIKERS

Heart Healthy Trail at Germantown MetroPark — Germantown

  • 1.7-mile natural surface trails at the park that take you by wetlands and into a pollinator prairie.

Possum Creek MetroPark green trail — Dayton

  • .3 miles of natural surface trail.

Carriage Hill MetroPark’s new Heart Healthy Trail — Huber Heights

  • 1.8 miles of flat natural surface trail.

The Narrows — Beavercreek

  • Close to 6 miles of trails that wind along the Little Miami River, through woods and a meadow and is primarily easy terrain.

About the Author

Follow Sarah Franks on twitter

Sarah joined the Dayton Daily News team in fall of 2019 covering general assignment. Since then, Sarah has covered the higher education beat, authored a daily COVID-19 column and currently covers Greene County.