Places to motorcycle ride in Ohio

The Covered Bridge Scenic Byway is a SE Ohio favorite ride. "This Scenic Byway tour begins from Marietta Ohio and snakes northeast on SR26 through the Wayne National Forest until it dead ends into SR800 and nearby Woodsfield, the county seat of Monroe County. Driving straight through from one end to the other is about 50 miles and takes a little over 1 hour not counting stops."

http://www.touringohio.com/day-trips/sr26-covered-bridge-byway.html

Otway Covered Bridge is just 1000 ft off our route below (341 Curtis Smith Rd) near Portsmouth. Spend an extra day riding more good roads nearby.

Southwest Ohio has good riding, too. This route could also be enjoyed by riders from West Virginia & Kentucky.

Our destination is the restaurant at Clifton Mill, but we prefer a scenic route. There are many more twisty, rural roads east and west of Portsmouth.

See larger map.

The Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve is just west of Clifton Mill on Hwy 343.

"Years ago I went canoeing on the Little Miami River; the river serenely wound its way between the wooded river banks. But at Clifton Gorge, the Little Miami River is something altogether different; it plunges over falls and rapids between narrow cliffs of dolomite and shale. The river and surrounding cliffs are the main attractions of Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, a 268 acre preserve located adjacent to John Bryan State Park. The Little Miami River flows through both, with the nature preserve upstream where the river roils." See more including photos at

http://trekohio.com/2012/06/08/clifton-gorge-state-nature-preserve/

"Hocking Hills State Park is a non-contiguous state park in the Hocking Hills region of Hocking County, Ohio, United States; it is contiguous with the Hocking State Forest. Within the park are several spectacular rock formations, including Old Man's Cave, a narrow, deep gorge featuring waterfalls; Rock House, a cliffed area with a rock shelter; Cantwell Cliffs, a broad gorge at the head of a hollow with a unique stone stairway; and Ash Cave, a large rock shelter with a small waterfall, and Cedar Falls, a larger waterfall south of Old Man's Cave. The park is in five separate sections: Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, Cantwell Cliffs, and Rock House." See more photos at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hocking_Hills_State_Park

Ash Cave is 20 miles west of Athens off Hwy 56. 

"Ash Cave is really not what you would call a cave, other than there are ton's of rock that hang out above a visitor standing toward the base of the cliff. The horseshoe-shaped cave is massive; measuring 700' from end to end, 100' deep from the rear cave wall to its front edge with the rim rising 90' high.

A small tributary of the east fork of Queer Creek cascades over the rim into a small plunge pool below ... From the parking area, there is a concrete paved walk back to the cave area about 1/4 mile, with no climbing required unless you want to climb up to the rim."

See more at: http://www.touring-ohio.com/southeast/hocking-hills/ash-cave.html

Athens County, Ohio has their own set of 9 scenic rides. Request your copy of the map. www.windy9.com.

"The best scenic views of Southeast Ohio are waiting for you on Ohio’s Windy 9. Nearly 1,000 miles of the best driving, riding and biking routes in the state. From a leisurely cruise along the Ohio River, to the twisty turns of State Route 555 (the Triple Nickel), the Windy 9 is your passport to the THE authentic Ohio riding experience!" www.windy9.com.