Fall/Winter 2009

As the leaves fall leisurely to the ground and the heat of summer fades to a crisp breeze, the Hocking Hills region boasts a bountiful harvest of autumn-inspired adventures, not to mention the most beautiful foliage in the region. This fall, forget the drive-it-yourself tour and heed the call of “All Aboard!”

Fall foliage train rides on the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway provide one of the most picturesque panoramas of the area, taking riders past historic landmarks and canal locks and alongside the cascading Hocking River. The passenger trains, which date back to the 1920s, travel a route that was once part of the Railway’s Athens branch. Knowledgeable conductors share the history of the Valley as the scenery whizzes by, and though the ride is a comfortable experience in any seat, those who prefer a more luxurious experience can reserve a spot in the first-class cabin in the newly restored B&O coach.

All trains depart from the Nelsonville Depot, and trips to Logan, Ohio, are offered Thursday through Sunday. Each journey includes a 30-minute stop at Robbins Crossing, a restored, 1840s-era village, complete with original buildings and located on the Hocking College campus. Riders who want the full experience should opt for a Saturday trip, when costumed interpreters are on hand to provide tours, and the charming, historic general store is open to the public.

After the ride — 22 miles round-trip — explore the rest of the Hills at your leisure — with more than 25 miles of hiking trails through the region, you and your family can take in the sights, sounds and smells of autumn in Ohio by foot.

- State - Ohio

- Type - Outdoor Adventures

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