Ohio · Hiking

The Underground

The UndergroundPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
8.5 mi
round trip
1,202 ft
climb
977 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Oct
best months

Is The Underground open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Athens Ranger District. It doesn't name The Underground, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Athens Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The Underground is a hard hike in the Athens Ranger District of Wayne National Forest in Ohio, about 8.5 miles long with a 333-foot elevation gain. The trail is an out-and-back, and the steepest stretch comes at about 3.1 miles, where the grade reaches 13 percent. The high point is 977 feet, and the low point is 776 feet. The trail is on natural surface, and it is not accessible. Bikes are allowed, but horses are not. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year-round. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Athens run to highs around 72°F in May and 76°F in September, with September also seeing the fewest wet days of the year. Several other hikes start within a quarter mile, including Clay Bake, Gorges Curves and Bullfrog Loop. Sunday Creek, about 6 miles away, offers canoeing.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit The Underground

    Best months: June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      38° / 22°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      42° / 23°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      52° / 30°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      65° / 40°

      13 wet

    5. May

      72° / 50°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 59°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 63°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 61°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 54°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      65° / 42°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      53° / 32°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 27°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Athens Ou, OH, 8.8 mi away at 684 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Clay BakePhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Clay Bake

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2.90-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 404 ft elevation gain.

Gorges CurvesPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Gorges Curves

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5.60-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 579 ft elevation gain.

BloodrootPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Bloodroot

~3 min drive

17.12-mile out-and-back trail in Ohio with 1,188 ft elevation gain.

Bullfrog LoopPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Bullfrog Loop

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1.27-mile loop in Ohio with 288 ft elevation gain/loss.

SalameanderPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Salameander

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Wild TurkeyPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Wild Turkey

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Holler CollarPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Holler Collar

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Corps TourPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Corps Tour

~2 min drive

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Pig IronPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Pig Iron

~3 min drive

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ThrilliumPhoto: Wayne National Forest, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Thrillium

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