On a recent weekend, I was eager to soak up some fall colors and good weather while they both last.
It was past peak fall foliage in Columbus, so hubby and I headed south in search of more gorgeous red, orange and yellow trees.
After perusing a list of the best scenic views in Ohio, we settled on a new-to-us destination: Buzzard’s Roost Nature Preserve in Chillicothe.
We’ve been on a kick lately of trying to visit new places instead of our old favorites. It would have been so easy to head for familiar, popular Hocking Hills, where we would have undoubtedly faced crowds.
Instead, we drove to someplace a little less well-known and our reward was getting it almost all to ourselves. We hiked the South Point Lookout Trail at Buzzard’s Roost Nature Preserve, and the experience and views did not disappoint.
There’s nothing like walking through a silent wood with only the occasional whisper of leaves falling, plunk of acorns dropping, and bird calls. It was so relaxing, peaceful and therapeutic.
Even the drive up to Buzzard’s Roost had its scenic moments, with hairpin turns, one-lane roads and a colorful forest painted by fall. There were more leaves on the ground than in the trees, but the ones that remained aloft were gorgeously hued in reds, oranges and yellows.
We parked in a small, rustic lot and walked to the trail entrance, which was clearly marked. South Point Lookout Trail is a 2-mile loop so you can’t get lost. There’s something comforting about that – especially once you’re deep in the woods where everything looks pretty much the same in all directions.
We passed one small group of hikers who told us the view is “worth the hike!” This park has one of the most rugged landscapes in all of Ohio. The South Point Lookout Trail is quite hilly, narrow in parts and covered in fallen leaves which called for careful treading. It is rated moderately challenging by All Trails. I was huffing and puffing at some of the steeper bits, I don’t mind telling you!
But the other hikers were right – the lookout view at the end is spectacular. You wind up atop shale and sandstone cliffs with a vertical drop of as much as 600 feet in some places and views of the beautiful Paint Creek gorge below.
There’s even a seasonal waterfall with the lovely name of Blueberry Falls, but alas, it was dry when we went. No waterfall for us that day; I’d love to come back in the spring and see it.
Buzzard’s Roost and that overlook trail were definitely one of our favorite Ohio hikes outside of Hocking Hills. I’m so glad we set our hearts on a new destination that day. It was a perfect date day for hubby and I.
Have you visited any new-to-you parks lately for a hike? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below or over on Facebook or Instagram.
