Page 20 - The Magazine of AAA Ohio Auto Club – September 2020

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a favorite of locals tucked quietly in the hills of Athens. The park has more than 21 miles of trails for mountain biking and leisurely or strenuous hiking.
When completed, the Baileys Mountain Bike Trail System in Wayne National Forest will be an 88-mile, premier mountain-biking destination east of the Mississippi. Fourteen miles of the new trail are now open, including eight miles of beginner trails and six miles of intermediate trails.
WHERE TO STAY
It’s impossible to explore Athens in just a day, so why not stay a while. Choose from a wide array of hotels located steps from funky, free-spirited Uptown Athens, with its abundance of independent stores and restaurants.
For a slower pace and easy access to outdoor activities, book a cabin in the woods. Lake Hill Cabins or 1st Choice Cabin Rentals offer dozens of cabins across Athens County, with one to fit every traveler’s needs.
Or step back in time during a stay at the Hyde House or Primrose House bed and breakfasts in historic downtown Nelsonville. These gorgeous Victorian homes, built in the late 1800s, have been fully restored to offer a memorable lodging experience.
When completed, the Baileys Mountain Bike Trail System in Wayne National Forest will be an 88-mile, premier mountain-biking destination east of the Mississippi.
Visitors seeking solitude and seclusion may prefer reserving a campsite at Burr Oak Campground, a small, densely wooded campground on the northwest tip of Burr Oak Reservoir in Wayne National Forest. Stroud’s Run State Park also offers a full-service campground that includes three Rent-A-Camp sites, which come with a dining fly, sleeping cots and pads, a cookstove and other gear.
There’s something about Athens that sticks with
you. Walk the Athens Block brick streets, take in an autumn sunrise or sunset over the Appalachian foothills, take the time to explore the area by foot, bicycle or motorcycle, and stroll among the classic white-columned buildings on Ohio University’s campus. You will discover what makes Athens County such a special place.
For more information, visit the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau at athensohio.com. For trip planning assistance, call or visit your AAA Ohio store or log on to AAA.com/travel.
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Photos courtesy of Athens County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
Hana Bieliauskas is a vice president at Inspire PR Group.