Buckeye Trail landscape

Photo: Photo by Sean Foster on Unsplash

Buckeye Trail

60 days · 1318 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance1318 mi
Days out60
Elevation gain71,824 ft
Gain / mile54 ft
High point1,335 ft

What the Buckeye Trail is known for

The full Buckeye Trail: a roughly 1,440-mile blue-blazed loop around Ohio through 47 counties, the longest loop hiking trail in the U.S. It mixes footpath, canal towpath, and road walking; a thru-hike takes around two months, and most hikers tackle it section by section.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Buckeye Trail on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 1,690 ft to 4,167 ft over 1318 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 12.5 mi · 1%
  • Downhill 14.5 mi · 1%
  • Flat 1290.8 mi · 98%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

Frequently asked questions

How much elevation gain is on the Buckeye Trail?

The Buckeye Trail climbs roughly 71,824 ft total — about 54 ft per mile, topping out near 1,335 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

Plan the Buckeye Trail Plan Free →