Blackhand Gorge is a paved trail along a 4-mile-long sandstone formation. It is about forty-eight miles east of Columbus, Ohio. The main parking lot is located at 2200 Gratiot Rd SE, Newark, OH 43056; and thankfully, there is a bathroom. The paved trail is 4.3 miles. This is an out and back trail, rather than a loop; so, plan to do 8+ miles for a round trip.

The trail runs alongside the Licking River. I went on a cold wintery day; it had just snowed, and the river was partially frozen. As the ice sections collided in the river, the sound reverberated off the sandstone and was amplified. It was very loud and very impressive! I had never heard anything like it before.

I did part of the paved trail, but I wanted to get into the woods and see the snow. I verged off on the Quarry Rim Trail Loop, which is a dirt trail that connects with paved bike trail. This is a lovely loop that takes you through the woods, crossing streams and providing a splendid view of the quarry.

There are additional dirt trails at Blackhand Gorge I plan to explore when I visit again. But on this day, I was hungry and ready to head out.

I stopped off at The Restaurant at the Granville Inn on my way back to Columbus. It was lunch time, and I felt comfortable in my more casual apparel. They have a wonderful menu, and this was the perfect way to warm up from my hike.

The Inn is pretty and a little imposing with its stone exterior and heavy wood paneled interiors. And of course, it is haunted! The paneling and carpet in the main hallway are reminiscent of the movie The Shining! So maybe have a bite to eat, then take a walk to the restroom and see if you can glimpse any ghosts!

If you decide to take this trip for yourself, please share your experiences. I look forward to hearing from you!