East Fork State Park - Cincinnati’s Hottest New Trails

August 3, 2007 on 4:31 am | In Mountain |

The Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance and volunteers have poured their energy and resources into the trails and their efforts show. There are about seven miles of single-track that meander through one of Ohio’s largest state parks. The trails are great for beginners but also challenge more experienced riders.

The transition from four miles of flat muddy trail to 7.5 miles of quality mountain biking didn’t happen over night. It took the interest of local Rob Brock, who saw much potential out there, but not much momentum for improvements to the trail. While Rob donated countless hours of his own time organizing and writing proposals for the park, he went to the Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance for the help building up momentum for trailbuilding. The trail leaders at CORA had been maintaining and improving the trails at Harbin Park in Fairfield, and Caesar’s Creek State Park up near Waynesville - and had shown that their IMBA-led training had paid off with killer trail systems there. The new East Fork trail system was designed with sustainability and fun for all levels in mind - quick-drying graded trails with an emphasis on flow.

For the full effect roll out of the mountain bike parking lot and turn right at the road. Follow the pavement for about a half mile until you see the trail on the right. The south loop (Phase one) is a tight twisty three-mile trail that is good for beginners. There are no climbs but the trail does introduce riders to some of the skills needed to mountain bike. The trail shoots out onto gravel and immediately connects with more single-track on the left. Make a left and you will be on the middle loop (Phase two), make a right and you will head back to the parking lot. This trail is a 3.5 mile long single-track that you can either follow out to the road or make a right and head back to the mountain bike parking lot.
Making a left at the intersection will send you down a quick descent, across many bridges and through a creek. There are a few more climbs, descents, roots and rocks on this section of trail. This section of trail ends at a bathroom with running water. At this point you can ride the road back or take the trail.

East Fork drains well and is the quickest trail in the area to recover after it has rained a lot. East Fork Lake is a great place to take friends and family new to mountain biking and it is also great for veteran riders.

From Cincinnati, Ohio :
From Downtown: take I-471 South into Kentucky to I-275 East. I-275 East to Exit #65, Beechmont Avenue East - Amelia ( Day Use) or Exit #63
From Lexington, KY:
I-75 North, to I-275 East (Near Erlanger, KY) to Exit #65, S.R. 125 - Beechmont Avenue East- Amelia ( Day Use) or Exit 63, S.R. 32 - East Batavia (campground). Come East 11 miles and follow signs.

Written by Amanda McKay