Columbus road bike routes

Looking for local route recommendations? We got you. This is a curated collection of the very best road, mountain, and family rides in the area, complete with digital route maps!

Galena Ride

Distance: 12.7
Elevation gain: 222
Difficulty: Easy
New riders will appreciate this simple flat route that starts and finishes at Trek Bicycle Westerville. The roads are quiet and scenic. There’s eight miles of the car-free Genoa Trail. There’s the stunningly beautiful Char-Mar Ridge Park and the highly Instagram-able Hoover Reservoir. And then there’s the diminutive historic mill town of Galena where you can stop for lunch at the cozy Galena Diner (see Where to stop) or Mudflats Bar and Grill if you want to enjoy a frosty pint with your meal.

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Longer Galena Ride

Distance: 18.4
Elevation gain: 363
Difficulty: Easy
Eighteen miles and change on some of the quietest roads around make this an excellent choice for newer riders or for anyone who wants a low-stress outing. You get eight car-free miles on the Genoa Trail through scenic McNamara and Char-Mar Ridge Parks (watch for osprey), views of the sparkling Hoover Reservoir, the adorable village of Galena, and seemingly endless green expanses of bucolic Delaware County farmland.

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Glacier Ridge and Back

Distance: 21.1
Elevation gain: 383
Difficulty: Easy
Dublin boasts more than 130 miles of car-free recreation path, and this stress-free route offers a 20-mile taste. Pack a picnic and ride from Dublin Community Recreation Center into Indian Run Meadows Park and the peaceful ML “Red” Trabue Nature Preserve. The path continues all the way to Glacier Ridge Metro Park, one of the area’s largest preserves. Named for the debris left behind when the glaciers retreated thousands of years ago, the 1,037-acre park is now a vibrant oasis with picnicareas, obstacle and disc-golf courses, and several miles of bike trails you’ll ride before looping back to the start.

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Galloway Gravel

Distance: 21.6
Elevation gain: 399
Difficulty: Easy
This route features one of the Columbus area’s biggest and most spectacular parks. Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is more than 7,000 acres of forest, prairie, and wetland preserve that stretch along 13 miles of the Big and Little Darby Creeks. The five miles of gravel on the Darby Creek Greenway is an excellent place to get used to riding off the pavement. You’ll start at the park’s nature center and pedal a couple miles south through the preserve (look for grazing bison!) before heading out to spin on mostly quiet rural roads in the surrounding area. Loop north through Galloway then back to the Darby Creek Greenway.

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Hoover Reservoir

Distance: 25.6
Elevation gain: 538
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
This scenic route from Trek Bicycle Westerville hugs the western side of Hoover Reservoir for seven miles to the cozy village of Galena (population 615), a former mill town with a New England-style village green. Grab lunch at Mudflats Bar and Grill (see Where to stop) or the homey, family-run Galena Diner (just try to resist a slice of their homemade cake). Cross Big Walnut Creek and get a taste of unspoiled Delaware County farmland for several miles before one last look at the reservoir’s sparkling waters as you loop back toward Westerville. Start and finish at Trek Bicycle Westerville.

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Jerome, Watkins, Ostrander

Distance: 30.1
Elevation gain: 521
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Farms. Orchards. Cows. Your stress will evaporate as you spin through the peaceful, rural Delaware County landscape. You’ll skirt the tiny village of Ostrander (population 700-ish) around mile 20 where you can fill your bottles from an outdoor spigot at the United Methodist Church on W. North Street and restock your snack supply at Mill Creek Carryout (closed Sundays). There’s also good pizza in town at Leb’s. Start and finish at Glacier Ridge Metro Park.

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Dublin to Watkins

Distance: 31.8
Elevation gain: 537
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Explore the suburban parks and sleepy neighborhoods northwest of Dublin, followed by quiet rural roads that slice through cornfields and dairy pasture. Loop back toward town via protected bike lanes on the tree-lined Muirfield Drive. There’s a KOM/QOM on Muirfield, and if you hit it on a day with light bike traffic, put the hammer down and take your best shot. (Remember: safety matters way more than a Strava badge.) Don’t miss the picturesque gazebo to your left around mile 25.5! Start and finish at Trek Bicycle Columbus Dublin, around the corner from the vibrant new Bridge Park District where you should stop for post-ride grub.

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Westerville Loop

Distance: 36.4
Elevation gain: 684
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Nice and chill (save for the KOM/QOM on Red Bank Road near the reservoir), this route is a good way to wake up your legs after hibernating all winter,or to recover after a big training week. The quiet roads and flat terrain also make it an excellent choice for newer riders looking to build confidence and increase miles. Head west from Trek Bicycle Westerville along suburban roads that quickly give way to some of Delaware County’s prettiest farmland. Loop back toward Westerville via Galena, Hoover Reservoir, and Char-Mar Ridge Park.

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Harlem Galena Loop

Distance: 40.1
Elevation gain: 683
Difficulty: Moderate
This route showcases some of the most scenic landscape northeast of Columbus. Start at the southeast corner of Hoover Reservoir Park and head north toward Galena. Soak up the water views as you cross the reservoir twice, as well as Alum Creek. Stop halfway in the pocket-sized former mill town of Galena (population 615). Grab lunch at Mudflats Bar and Grill and a homemade slice of cake the cozy, family-run Galena Diner. Continue through idyllic Delaware County farm- and pasture land toward New Albany, then loop back toward town.

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New Albany Loop 1

Distance: 40.3
Elevation gain: 1009
Difficulty: Moderate
Named America’s Best Suburb by Business Insider, New Albany is an ideal ride launchpad. Start at the library (there’s a Starbucks nearby for a pre-ride boost), and head out on rolling hills through this well-heeled community with a quaint downtown, lots of bike trails, and more than 2,000 park acres. Spin to the tiny village of Alexandria, then into Johnstown, both of which have good lunch spots. (At mile 21.4, you can pick up the car-free T.J. Evans bike path and follow it a mile or so into Johnstown. Hang a left on Douglas Street to Main Street and resume the mapped route.) Then it’s farmland forever until New Albany and flat, flat, flat.

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Centerburg

Distance: 42.5
Elevation gain: 780
Difficulty: Moderate
You might feel the gentle-but-steady uphill grade for the first half as you ride northeast toward Centerburg. But chances are you won’t because the awe-inspiring farmland unfurling alongside you will be pretty distracting. In Centerburg, stop at the Twist 'N Shake for a hot dog or soft serve, or discover plenty of other food options. You can also stock up on drinks and ride snacks at Hometown Market. Continue through picturesque Sunbury and Galena (more feeding opportunities at both), and finally cross Hoover Reservoir before the final few miles. Start and finish at Trek Bicycle Westerville.

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Ostrander Ride

Distance: 48.9
Elevation gain: 1107
Difficulty: Moderate
There’s a lot to love about this classic cruise into the countryside northwest of Columbus, but the highlight might be the Thompson Road Covered Bridge, where a photo is pretty much mandatory. You’ll reach the tiny village of Ostrander (population 700-ish) about halfway through. You can fill your bottles from an outdoor spigot at the United Methodist Church on W. North Street and restock your snack supply at Mill Creek Carryout (closed Sundays). Continue on quiet rural roads flanked by fields of wheat and corn and, eventually, the Scioto River, before heading back toward Dublin past the Muirfield Village Golf Club, one of the premier courses in the country. Start and finish at Trek Bicycle Columbus Dublin.

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New Albany Loop 2

Distance: 51.2
Elevation gain: 1445
Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
This half-day outing from America’s Best Suburb, according to Business Insider, starts at the library (grab a pre-ride espresso at the nearby Starbucks)and follows rolling hills through the pristine farmland of Franklin and Licking counties. You’ll visit the tiny village of Alexandria, the college town of Granville, and Johnstown—all of which have solid food options. (Fun fact: Johnstown is perhaps best known for the mastodon skeleton discovered on a local farm in 1926. The bones are on display at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.) From Johnstown, loop back toward New Albany and enjoy farm-tastic views over the mostly flat last 20 miles.

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Dublin, Jerome, Unionville Center

Distance: 52.2
Elevation gain: 830
Difficulty: Moderate
Two words: Fried. Pie. Not to mention 50-plus flat miles to burn it off. This route heads north out of Dublin on Emerald Highway past Coffman Park and Glacier Ridge Park where suburbia gives way to acres of unspoiled farmland that stretch for miles.You’ll cross Three Mile Creek and follow Middleburg Plain City Road through the 14-square-block town of Unionville Center (population 235). Just before mile 35 you’ll finally get to the reason you did this ride in the first place: Yutzy’s Farm Market just outside Plain City. Start and finish at Trek Bicycle Columbus Dublin.

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Berkshire, Sunbury, Harlem Loop

Distance: 52.5
Elevation gain: 1220
Difficulty: Moderate
This flat-to-rolling 50-miler is a fun weekend cruise through some of central Ohio’s most idyllic farmland and charming small towns. Head north from Westerville on bucolic country roads and loop wide through Delaware County above Hoover Reservoir until you reach the village of Sunbury, distinguished by its New England-style town square and historic village hall building. There are a couple of solid options here for lunch, or you can continue on to Galena where you’ll find good eats at the Galena Diner or Mudflats Bar and Grill. Loop east, then back across Hoover Reservoir. Start and finish at Trek Bicycle Westerville.

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Dublin to Woodstock

Distance: 54.8
Elevation gain: 757
Difficulty: Moderate
No hills. Yep, you read that right. This route covers 55 miles with zero notable climbs. Which makes it great for newer riders looking to conquer that first long ride, or those who are more seasoned and want to bang out some fast miles. The route is rural—lightly trafficked, farm-lined roads connecting a succession of small towns. Roll into Plain City at mile 11 where you can’t miss the recently refurbished, iconic 1902 clocktower on the corner of Main and Chillicothe Streets. It’s worth a stop at Der Dutchman for one of their infamous sugar bombs, and if you need to refuel later, you’ll pass several gas station convenience stores. Or try Yummy's Bar & Grill or Panther Pizza in Milford Center. Loop back toward Dublin along Three Mile Creek. Start and finish at Coffman Park.

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Gahanna to Granville Gravel

Distance: 58.7
Elevation gain: 2516
Difficulty: Hard
Pack extra food, drink, and spare tubes for this adventure. There are four distinct gravel sections totaling six miles, so you’ll want to be ready for anything. Start at Gahanna’s Hannah Park and explore the rolling, lightly trafficked country roads of Franklin and Licking counties. You’ll feel like you’ve left civilization between miles 20 and 30 when the pavement gives way to the rough stuff. Stop in Granville or Alexandria to refuel if you need to,then reward yourself after this epic adventure with a burger or sandwich from Flanagan’s Pub, less than a mile from Hannah Park.

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Westerville, Centerburg, Granville

Distance: 67.8
Elevation gain: 1809
Difficulty: Moderate
Take an afternoon and explore pastoral farmland and picturesque villages northeast of Columbus on this mostly flat metric century. You’ll head east from Westerville and cross Hoover Reservoir before the barns and cornfields start coming at you thick and fast. (Grab a #cornfieldwallpaper shot anywhere along the way.) You’ll ride through Alexandria, the college town of Granville (home to Denison University), Appleton, Centerburg (the geographical center of Ohio), Sunbury, and Galena. In Centerburg, stop at the Twist N’ Shake for a hot dog or soft serve, and there’s pizza at Pizzaburg or Longbranch. Start and finish at Trek Bicycle Westerville.

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New Albany to Utica

Distance: 68.1
Elevation gain: 2966
Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
This is the ice cream ride to beat all ice cream rides. Sure—you’ll enjoy a rolling route (with a couple of steep ramps) on quiet roads through undulating farmland and charming small towns. But the crown jewel of this excursion is the village of Utica, known primarily for being home to Velvet Ice Cream. Located in a huge restored mill on 20 park-like acres a mile south of town, this ice cream mecca includes a restaurant, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, and a museum. Half-hour weekday tours are free (May through October) and offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the frozen goodness is made. There are also picnic areas, restrooms, and a petting zoo. Start and finish in New Albany.

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Green Valley

Distance: 73.1
Elevation gain: 1873
Difficulty: Hard
Explore some of the area’s quietest roads and pristine farmland on this epic ride into the countryside northwest of Columbus. Stock up on drinks and ride snacks at Hometown Market in Centerburg before jumping on the paved, car-free Heart of Ohio Trail for four miles. Pass through the tiny community of Mount Liberty then reach the outskirts of Mount Vernon, named a “Best Hometown” in 2017 by Ohio Magazine and home to the oldest standing 19th-century theater in the United States. The city has numerous food options, so it’s worth a detour before looping back.

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Chillicothe Out and Back

Distance: 86.5
Elevation gain: 1390
Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
The official (and wildly popular) Tour of the Scioto River Valley bills itself as the “American Spring Classic” and has been running since 1962. The centerpiece of the May event is a two-day, 200-mile tour along the peaceful flat roads in the rural valley south of Columbus. This modified version traverses the 43-mile stretch to Chillicothe and back. Picnicin Chillicothe’s Yoctangee Park, explore the paved bike path along the river, or grab a bite at an eatery in town. Plan this epic ride with the touring spirit of the original event: overnight at one of several campgrounds in and around Chillicothe, including Great Seal State Park about five miles from the turnaround point.

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