Mt. Airy Forest Explorers

Are you looking to take on an unforgettable challenge with your courageous canine? Then you'd be barking mad to miss out on the Mt. Airy Forest Explorers Trail! First carved out of these wondrous woods by a group of Boy Scouts in the 60's or 70's, this pawsome path has gone on to become a favorite among furever friends, and it's not hard to see why. 

The Mt. Airy Forest in Cincinnati gives locals a chance to escape the bustling city for a while and lose themselves in an open oasis. This urban jungle is a rewarding retreat that's home to an abundance of wildlife and bursting with vibrant flora. Navigate this fantastical forest with your four-legged favorite and you'll traverse charming creeks and ravishing ravines and ridges! 

While there are many trails traversing this gorgeous forest, the Explorers Trail can be difficult to find on the park's maps, but is the only trail that travels from one end of the park to the other, travling along several other trails and connecting to even more throughout. You can travel the Explorer's 10 miles, or customize your adventure by choosing a route on the map. 

There are plenty of places to jump on the trail inside the forest, but the easiest spot is near the Arboretum where the Explorer's Trail shares space with the Arboretum Trail in the north end of the forest. Facing south, if you head left, you'll loop through the northern section of the forest and back, while the right path heads south and under the Interstate 74 to continue to the southern section of the forest. Then, the trail has another series of loops as it heads to McFarland Woods Drive.

To keep on the Explorer's Trail, keep an eye out for red E's on white blazes that indicate this particular path, though expect to see other lettered signs as the Explorer's Trail does share space with several other named paths in this puptactular forest. This trail is more suited to experienced hikers because of the elevation gains, winding path, and loose, rocky surfaces.

Be sure to pack all the essentials for a safe trek with your dog, including water for you and your pup. A few water stations along the trail are great places to get a refill. There are plenty of human restrooms, but do bring clean-up bags for picking up after your pup. You'll find many trash cans dotted about for disposal. And keep your dog leashed throughout your time among the trees in this furbulous forest.

And of your dog still has some pep in their step after the long journey, take one of the other trails over in the southern section to the Doris Day Dog Park for some off-leash romping!

For a truly wooftastic adventure, head to the Mt. Airy Explorer's Trail in the Mt. Airy Forest with your canine explorer today!