NCOLC holds legal title or conservation easements on over 1600 acres of land in, or near, Richland County, Ohio. Much of the land we manage contains hiking trails and are open to the public for your health and enjoyment.
CLEAR FORK VALLEY SCENIC TRAIL
NCOLC’s crowning achievement, the Clear Fork Valley Scenic Trail (CFVST), is a natural corridor of hiking trails located in southern Richland County. The trail meanders through over 600 acres of nature preserves between Malabar Farm and the Richland B&O Trail.
The public is welcome to hike the trail and see old growth forest, tall grass prairies, waterfalls and more!
If you want to get to know the CFVST, join us on an upcoming hike! See our events page for the walk calendar.
RICHLAND COUNTY PARK DISTRICT
NCOLC partners with the Richland County Park District (RCPD) to protect several nature preserves in Richland County, Ohio. RCPD is dedicated to introducing and interpreting our region's natural heritage to the citizens of Richland County. Their goal is pursued by preserving and providing natural areas for people to experience, and by providing opportunities for people of all ages to learn about the rich diversity of life and habitats in our county. Two of RCPD’s most popular facilities are the Gorman Nature Center and Richland B&O Trail.
Gorman Nature Center
Featuring 130 acres of forests, fields, prairies, ponds and streams, the Gorman Nature Center provides over four miles of public trails close to the population centers of Richland County. Families and individuals are welcome on the trails or in the Center's visitor center and picnic areas. The Gorman Nature Center naturalist staff sponsors weekly programs for the general public featuring a wide variety of hikes, field trips, lectures, slide programs and night sky programs. In addition, the Center offers daily programs for schools, youth groups, garden clubs, senior citizens and service clubs. Public programs are listed in the "Friends of the Nature Center Newsletter."
NCOLC holds conservation easements on the GNC property, ensuring these lands will be permanently protected as natural areas.
Richland B&O Trail
The Richland County Park District also operates the Richland B&O Trail, a public rail-trail built on the abandoned B&O railroad line. The 18.4-mile trail connects Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville and Butler and is used for bicycling, walking, jogging, in-line skating and nature study. You can download the B&O Trail Map.
NCOLC helps to protect two nature preserves along the B&O trail in Mansfield. In addition, our Clear Fork Valley Scenic Trail is located a short walk from the B&O, connecting hikers to the Mohican Complex.
MOHICAN COMPLEX
Comprised of Mohican State Park, the Mohican-Memorial State Forest, Malabar Farm State Park and the Clear Fork Valley Scenic Trail, the Mohican Complex is one of north central Ohio’s most precious assets. Altogether, the Mohican Complex offers over 90 miles of trails through over 9,500 acres of forests, prairies, wetlands, and other habitats.
The 1,110-acre Mohican State Park and the adjacent 4,525-acre Mohican-Memorial State Forest offer outstanding opportunities for visitors to explore one of Ohio’s most stunning natural regions. Visitors can truly experience the wilderness, venturing through the hemlock forest to take in the striking views offered by the Clear Fork Gorge and fish-laden Clear Fork River. Hiking trails wind through the primitive and scenic areas of the forest and park. These trails lead to such attractions as Pine Run Creek, the Fire Tower and Clearfork Gorge.
Pleasant Hill Lake is an 850-acre lake surrounded by 1350 acres of land that is managed by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. Pleasant Hill offers 8.5 miles of hiking/bridal trails, and an additional 16.5 miles of public trails on M.W.C.D. Public Use Property.
Malabar Farm State Park, once the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield, features over 875 acres of public lands. The park includes fertile farmlands, wooded ridgetops, sandstone cliffs, and more than 9 miles of trails.
A regional trail map featuring the hiking, biking and bridal trails of Mohican, Pleasant Hill, Malabar and the Clear Fork Valley Scenic Trail, can be purchased at the Pleasant Hill Lake office.
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ”