Hit the road for beer, bourbon, bikes, and donuts—not necessarily in that order—on one of these mini Cincinnati region excursions.
Welcome to Cincinnati, where adventure awaits on the Butler County Donut Trail, Brewing Heritage Trail, B-Line Trail, Ohio River Way, and an extensive network of bike trails. Get ready to explore picturesque landscapes, historic landmarks, delicious treats, and a vibrant outdoor culture that will leave you in awe of Cincinnati’s “trail” system.
1. Butler County Donut Trail
If you, like us, could eat a donut at a moment’s notice, then make ready for National Donut Day, coming right up on June 7. Celebrate with a classic glazed from your favorite shop or better yet, explore the Butler County Donut Trail. Visit all 12 featured shops to get your very own Butler County Donut Trail t-shirt, and wear it proud on Donut Days to come.
A collection of Donut Trail donuts. Photo credit: Butler County Visitors Bureau
2. Brewing Heritage Trail
The Cincinnati region’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood used to be synonymous with beer. Hundreds of bars and breweries—most built, owned, operated, and patronized by our late-19th-century German immigrant population—dotted OTR’s blocks, making Cincinnati an epicenter for all things beer. Explore the incredible beer history on the Brewing Heritage Trail. Take a guided tour or wind your way through informational sign posts on an immersive 5-mile route.
3. The B-Line
Head just over the Ohio River into Northern Kentucky—the gateway to bourbon country—to begin your tour of “America’s Official Native Spirit.” Make a day of it by stopping at each of the 14 distilleries, bars, and restaurants on the self-guided trail, or personalize your tour with a visit to your top picks.
Looking for an excuse to get sipping? The 2nd-Annual Big Bourbon Toast, a free event hosted by Newport’s own New Riff Distilling, takes place on June 14 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on the Newport Southbank Bridge (a.k.a. the Purple People Bridge). The first 500 guests at the Toast will receive a Big Bourbon Toast shot glass topped up with New Riff Bourbon.
Can’t make it to the Toast? Don’t miss Kentucky’s Edge, a bourbon festival in Covington, Kentucky, set for October 4-5, 2019. Kentucky’s Edge will feature a free music festival, conference, market, and plenty of bourbon tasting.
4. Ohio River Way
After all that imbibing, take a beat (or a whole day) to recover and then get out on the water. The Ohio River Way is a multi-municipality effort to locate public access sites for the river and document bike and historic routes along the way. The Cincinnati region has a history with river sports, hosting the annual Ohio River Paddlefest, the nation’s largest paddling event. Want in on the fun? Explore some of the trail’s 274 miles between Portsmouth, Ohio, and Louisville, Kentucky along the historic Ohio River.
Credit: John Antonczak
5. Bike Trails
The 76-mile Little Miami Scenic Trail, a scenic, shady path that connects Loveland, Ohio, to Yellow Springs, Ohio, and beyond to Springfield, Ohio, has consistently ranked as one of the top bike trails in the nation. Within the Cincinnati region, Pathside Vibes can be found along the trail in the form of food and drink, bed and breakfasts, unique shops and coffee stops. The Little Miami Bike Trail is also part of Cincinnati CROWN, a 34-mile, multi-use paved trail that connects our city’s iconic landmarks and hidden gems. If off-road trails are more your thing, checkout the Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA) for a mountain bike, hike, or trail running experience.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Cincinnati’s trail offerings, where nature, history, culinary delights, and scenic beauty converge to create an experience like no other.Embark on an unforgettable journey through Cincinnati’s diverse trail offerings, where nature, history, culinary delights, and scenic beauty converge to create an experience like no other.
Updated by Anastasia Mileham, May 4, 2023