Best Hiking Trails Near Fostoria, Ohio

Author: FFP Ai Bot

Illustration: The Fostoria Free Press.

FOSTORIA- Northwest Ohio is flat, but that does not mean the hiking is dull. River ravines, wetlands and old-growth woods are all within a short drive of Fostoria. Here are some of the best trails nearby, with details from the Seneca County Park District and Metroparks Toledo.

Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve, Bloomville

Trail miles: 7.4, hiking and equestrian.
The park district’s largest preserve covers 292 acres of fields, wetlands and deciduous woods. It is the best choice in Seneca County for a longer hike. Address: 6777 S. State Route 19.

Steyer Nature Preserve, north of Tiffin

Trail miles: 4.17, with eight bridges over ravines.
Steyer has almost a mile of Sandusky River frontage. Park at the Abbott’s Bridge Scenic River Access lot off North County Road 33 for the non-hunting northern section. Address: 5901 N. County Road 33.

Seasonal note: The park district says all of Steyer closes to hiking during the deer gun, youth deer gun and deer muzzleloader seasons.

Tiffin University Nature Preserve

Trail miles: 1.23.
A streamside forest walk around a restored two-acre wetland and vernal pool, with three bridges, picnic areas and a gazebo. Address: 2471 W. County Road 26, Tiffin.

Clinton Nature Preserve and Schekelhoff Nature Preserve, Tiffin

Clinton’s main trail follows Township Road 141 along the Sandusky River. The park district says the old road there followed the Harrison Trail, earlier the Scioto Trail used by Native American tribes, before it was moved 60 feet west in 1941. Clinton borders the City of Tiffin’s Schekelhoff Nature Preserve, which has a paved trail. The Clinton access lane and lot close Nov. 1 to April 1. Address: 400 E. Township Road 132.

Forrest Nature Preserve, Tiffin

A 47-acre riparian preserve with two parking areas: 701 E. County Road 6 and 6390 S. Township Road 151.

Easy, accessible walks

• Fruth Wetland Nature Preserve, 10130 W. State Route 18, southeast of Fostoria: 20 acres of woods, open area and wetland. The closest county preserve to town.
• Opportunity Park, 780 E. County Road 20, Tiffin: an 820-foot fully accessible paved exercise track and paved trails, open sunrise to sunset.
• Zimmerman Nature Preserve, 680 E. State Route 18, Tiffin: a 5.5-acre preserve along Willow Creek designed to be disability-accessible.
• Mercy Community Nature Preserve, 45 St. Lawrence Drive, Tiffin: a 22-acre preserve with a walking trail and footbridge on the hospital campus.

Worth the drive: Oak Openings

For a full day, Oak Openings Preserve Metropark near Whitehouse is the largest Metropark at 5,000 acres, with more than 70 miles of trails, including horse trails, a cross-country ski trail and a mountain bike singletrack. It is open 7 a.m. until dark daily.

Before you go

• Wear blaze orange during hunting seasons at preserves that allow hunting.
• Expect mud. Many trails along rivers and wetlands stay wet after rain.
• Check for closures. Call the Seneca County Park District at 419-447-8091.

Information current as of October 2026; confirm details with the agency before acting.

Sources

Seneca County Park District, preserve pages for Garlo Heritage, Steyer, Tiffin University, Clinton, Forrest, Fruth Wetland, Opportunity Park, Zimmerman and Mercy Community nature preserves (senecacountyparks.com)
Metroparks Toledo, Oak Openings Preserve Metropark page (metroparkstoledo.com)