A Cyclist Paradise in Cincinnati

Clermont County, just twenty miles east of Cincinnati, has many hidden treasures. Several state parks draw inhabitants from all over Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Stonelick State Park offers excellent campgrounds, a beach and marvelous fishing areas. East Fork State Park also has these amenities, but it has other attractions as well. It had numerous boat ramp locations, making it an ideal destination for those who love boating. East Fork also has three mountain bike trails, each at different levels of challenge.

Bicycle enthusiasts who prefer to pedal on pavement rather than dirt can also find happiness in Clermont County. Just five minutes outside of East Fork State Park is the Williamsburg bike path. Though its distance only totals about five miles to the lake and back, the path is the center of a gorgeous setting. On one side is a quaint creek that runs parallel to the path and at the end leads into East Fork Lake. The other side is a mural of green farm lands and a stately forest.

The path itself offers challenges for even the most avid cyclist. Two or three small hills confront each rider in the middle of the path, which are just warm ups for what awaits at either end of the path. Right before the new bridge is an elongated hill that requires a tough climb. At the end of the path that starts in the town of Williamsburg is a steeper but shorter hill that requires excellent stamina to ascend.

Even if you have to walk your bike up the hill, you'll enjoy the stroll. There is a bench with a scenic overlook halfway up the hill, which is beautifully shaded. Once you reach the top, the ground is flat, and several shops where you can get refreshments are just a half mile away.

There are three parking areas for cyclists, all free of charge. One starting point is the park at the east end of town, which totals six to seven miles of pedaling to the lake and back. The community center, which is more commonly known as the old high school, is another starting point. The distance from here to the lake and back is just about five and a half miles. Other starting points can be found anywhere along the section of the path within East Fork Lake State Park, allowing you to pedal any distance from a half mile to five.

Here are some pictures taken along the trail during one of my trips in April.