Challenging Hikes Near Me

Blendonwood Ravine Day Hike, 10:30 am

Hike Blendon Woods Metro Park

Hi ladies. We will meet in front of the Nature Center and head to the two Observation decks. We will then hike Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook and Sugarbush trails to get approximately four miles total distance. We will walk approximately a 18 minute mile pace. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes.

Friday Happy Hour Hike

Hiking at Sharon Woods

Meet at the Maple Grove picnic area for a 4 mile hike at 18 min/mile pace.

Fast-paced 6 mile hike

Two/five miles fitness hike at Highbanks (Oak Coves)

Hike High Banks - 9:30 AM START

Hike approx 4.0 miles at approx. 17 minute mile pace. Meet in front of the Nature Center.

Blendon Woods Hike

Meet at the Nature Center parking lot at Blendon Woods to hike the Sugarbush, Hickory Ridge, Overlook, and Brookside trails approximately 4 miles at 18 min/mile pace.

Saturday Afternoon hike - Franklin Park - See event description for update

Join us for a casual hike out at Franklin Park, the park around the Franklin Park conservatory. This will be a casual get together for people to meet greet and socialize with other introverts in our city. Come out and see some familiar faces, or make new friends too! 👉We'll meet right outside the conservatory, but not actually go into the conservatory. Its an easy spot for us to find each other to start the walk. 👈

Trails & Ales! Sharon Woods Metro Park / The Draft Room

**History** [Sharon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/sharon-woods/) officially opened in October 1968 to provide open green space for the rapidly expanding population of Westerville and northern Columbus. Located in Sharon Township — the biblical source of its name meaning "a plain" — the park preservation efforts began earlier in February 1962. Planners initially acquired a 139-acre parcel of land to protect it from impending highway developments. Through 23 distinct land transactions with local farmers and developers, the park district successfully amassed the core acreage by August 1965. Today, this meticulously planned 761-acre oasis serves as one of the most frequently visited properties in the Central Ohio Park System. The geographic foundation of the park is heavily rooted in ancient history and glacial till. Thousands of years before modern development, the area was utilized by Paleo-Indian and Archaic peoples who hunted native wildlife using flint-tipped spears. Centuries later, the land transitioned into heavily forested terrain populated by majestic beech, hickory, and oak trees. Early American settlers eventually cleared portions of the land for agricultural use and family farming. Remnants of these historical eras are still preserved across the landscape, safeguarding the natural heritage of Franklin County. The park features the 320-acre Edward S. Thomas State Nature Preserve, named after a pioneering Ohio naturalist. This specific tract of land protects an impressive old-growth forest containing eight distinct species of oak trees. Remarkably, some of these towering oaks are over 250 years old, predating the founding of Columbus itself. The preserve also protects a deep ravine system formed around Spring Creek, which supports diverse tree species like black walnut and Ohio buckeye. This dedicated sanctuary ensures that pristine, old-growth ecosystems remain untouched by urban sprawl. Recreational infrastructure expanded rapidly throughout the 1970s to accommodate booming visitor numbers. In 1972, the park district engineered a massive 100-foot-high sledding hill featuring a 500-foot slope for winter activities. Shortly after, excavations began in 1974 to construct a paved 3.8-mile multipurpose bicycle and walking loop. Upon its completion, the smooth trail was proudly declared the finest and safest recreational bike trail in Central Ohio. Park staff also established family picnic sites and incorporated fishing opportunities at the 11-acre Schrock Lake. Sharon Woods has long served as a crucial testing ground for advanced ecological management. In April 1974, resource managers made history by conducting the park system's very first prescribed burn on a 15-acre field. Decades later, the park faced severe ecosystem degradation due to an overpopulated deer herd that grew from zero in 1968 to 500 by the early 1990s. The resulting six-foot browse line completely decimated native wildflowers and forest undergrowth. Strict conservation and deer management protocols were successfully implemented, allowing the understory and vibrant wildflowers to recover beautifully. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of the park](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SHW_map_2023_1980px.jpg). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Edward S Thomas, Oak Openings, Spring Creek, and Lake Trails. The trails are individually not long, but we'll hike them in a couple directions and end up doing around 5 miles. Sharon Woods is generally not too strenuous. Most of the hike will be on graveled nature trails, but some of it will be on grass and potentially in the sun. **Where We'll Meet** When you enter the park, drive all the way back to the rear parking lot by Schrock Lake. You'll see a picnic area and playground here, as well as restrooms and a water fountain. Our hike will start near these restrooms. **After the Hike** After the hike, we'll head over to [The Draft Room](https://www.draftroomcbus.com/). This brewery is located right next to [Pasquale's Pizza](https://www.pasqualespastahouse.com/), [Can’t Believe It's Vegan](https://cantbelieveitsvegan.biz/), and [Jimmy John's](https://locations.jimmyjohns.com/oh/westerville/sandwiches-1514.html). These eateries will [deliver](https://www.draftroomcbus.com/menus) to the brewery, or you can stop and bring something in. The actual address of The Draft Room is [570 W Schrock Rd, Westerville, OH 43081](https://www.google.com/maps/place/570+W+Schrock+Rd,+Westerville,+OH+43081/@40.1115698,-82.9456815,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x8838f52171863dbd:0xbc5b0380f89850c7!8m2!3d40.1115698!4d-82.9456815!16s%2Fg%2F11bw4d67c5?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDcyMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), and it's fairly close to Sharon Woods. We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks.

Walk & Talk About Life's Big Questions

[The Board Walks](http://www.theboardwalks.com/) are for curious people who love deep conversations. If that sounds like you, **bring a thoughtful topic** and join us for a 5-mile walk (10,000+ steps!). **HOW IT WORKS** **Step 1: Bring a topic** Before you arrive, think of **one** topic you want to explore. A question. A thought that's been on your mind. An obsession you want to geek out on. This is your ticket to the event. **Step 2: Circle up & share** We gather in a circle. Your friendly walk host gives a speech to set the tone. Everyone shares: your name, what you're grateful for, and your topic. That's it. 60 seconds. **Step 3: Walk, talk & float** We walk 5 miles. You naturally drift into conversation with 2-3 people at a time, pulled by topics that spark your curiosity. When you're ready to move on, just say: "I'm going to float!" **Step 4: Feel more alive** Two hours flies by. You're back where you started — but you feel different. More alive. More energized. More connected to yourself and others. That's why regulars join 20+ times. *For more details, read our [Orientation Guide.](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation)* **HOW TO BRING A GREAT TOPIC** A great topic = something you're genuinely curious about. Recent topics include: * "What are you passionate about right now?" * "What makes a good friend?" * "What's a belief you used to hold that you've completely changed?" * "How do you want to be remembered?" * "What would you do if money wasn't a factor?" Think of your topic like the dish you're bringing to our conversational potluck. If everyone brings an A+ dish (i.e. energizing, uplifting, expansive), we'll all walk away feeling lighter and brighter. **WHAT TO EXPECT** This isn't a fitness event with casual chitchat. It's a walking think tank where we explore life's big questions together, beyond small talk. *If you're looking for light banter or a standard networking event, this probably isn't the right fit.* But if you crave depth, genuine connection, and conversations that make you feel alive? You'll love it here. **FAQ** * Wear casual athletic attire and sneakers. It's a long walk! * We have multiple first-timers at each event. We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive, clique-free space. * We welcome people of **all** ages, backgrounds, and industries who align with the [intention](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules) of this space. * Rain or shine, we've been out here nearly every week since July 2022. If the event is cancelled, we'll let you know. * Dogs, babies in strollers, parents, and friends are welcome — please text/email them the event link so they can RSVP and prepare a topic! **LOGISTICS** * If you'll arrive over 10 minutes late, we suggest skipping the event. It's hard to find us once we start walking, and your host can't answer messages during the event. * This walk is designed for everyone to *move together at the same steady pace* (about 20 min/mile). This format works best when the whole group moves in unison. If you have mobility limitations, we kindly encourage you to find an event better suited to your needs. * Read our [Orientation Guide](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation) for full details. * If you enjoy the event, send **[this](http://www.theboardwalks.com/)** to a friend or sign up for our **[newsletter](https://theboardwalks.beehiiv.com/)**. We're in multiple cities with more on the way. 🤠👋 **IF YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER...** [The Board](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board) is the next step: a high-trust collective for renaissance people devoted to creating, connecting, and building lives that light us up. * This is a global HQ for people who crave big talk, deep connection, and dream collaborations with people across industries. If the walks feel like a spark... The Board is the fire. Apply [here](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board).

Tuesday Night Bike Ride