Columbus People Trails
The Columbus People Trails is a network of trails which attempts to connect significant points in and around the city. There are 4 primary stretches of off-road, asphalted trail, described above. Following the entire route as mapped below is quite difficult, as it uses many streets and sidewalks and is unsigned. For a complete tour of the city and its many interesting places by bike it is probably better to follow the on-street "Archipedal Tour" route. Get maps at the Visitor's Center at 506 Fifth Street.
On the west-side trail section, a wide asphalt trail runs behind the sprawling development along SR46 just east of I-65, allowing employees and patrons of the strip bikeable access to downtown Columbus. A tunnel allows easy passage under I-65 and its cloverleaf. This section of the trail is smooth and the surroundings are surprisingly pleasant. Birdhouses and wetlands grace the trail behind the Holiday Inn. While satellite development along interstates near to downtown areas is to be found all over the Midwest, finding a high-quality multi-use path to follow between the two areas is almost unheard of.
Once across the White River bridge on the east edge of the city, one can begin to experience one of the USA's premier architechtural destinations. Downtown Columbus is a true gem in design, from its magnificent 1874 courthouse to its one-of-a-kind 20th century buildings like the 1942 First Christian Church on 5th Street. There are literally dozens of incredible, world-class sites to visit here, and fortunately Columbus rates among the best of the Midwest's most walkable cities, affording the pedestrian generously wide, tree-lined sidewalks and gracious storefronts throughout its downtown grid.
Through Millrace and Noblitt Parks the trail follows the Flatrock River, where many loop and spur trails lead through the area. The trail is most scenic here but is prone to drainage and mud problems.
On the north-side trail section which begins at Westenedge Park and head to the airport, the asphalt trail is mostly parallel to streets. Several streets have concrete and asphalt sidewalks/sidepaths so getting around is easy, but following the route mapped below is a bit tricky and is not signed.
On the Haw Creek North Trail: the asphalt trail begins at the corner of Rockyford and Marr Road and heads south. There is a north loop planned also but it dead-ends for now. The trail heads south along Marr Road, then cuts west and follows Haw Creek to 25th Street. Crossing 25th Street to Lincoln Park and the south side of this trail section is not recommended, as the area is extremely congested and cars are not expecting to see bikes here.
On the Haw Creek South Trail: this is the longest section of continuous, easy-to-follow asphalt, beginning at Lincoln Park, passing the Columbus Regional Hospital campus and the Cummins plant.
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