Buckeye Trail (Belle Valley)
~5 days · 48.3 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Buckeye Trail (Belle Valley) is known for
The Belle Valley section of Ohio's Buckeye Trail, a hilly rural stretch through Guernsey and Noble counties linking Muskingum Watershed Conservancy lands with the Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area and Jesse Owens State Park. Much of the route follows quiet dirt roads, with off-road segments through state parks, wildlife areas and along lakeshores (about 15 of its 58 miles are off-road). Point-to-point, 58 miles per the Buckeye Trail Association.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 2,638 ft to 3,734 ft over 48.3 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 13.5 mi · 28%
- Downhill 16.2 mi · 34%
- Flat 18.5 mi · 38%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Buckeye Trail (Belle Valley)?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Buckeye Trail (Belle Valley) scores 15/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Buckeye Trail (Belle Valley) take?
Most backpackers hike the Buckeye Trail (Belle Valley) in about 5 days (4 nights out) over its 48.3 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Buckeye Trail (Belle Valley)?
The Buckeye Trail (Belle Valley) climbs roughly 3,845 ft total — about 80 ft per mile, topping out near 1,145 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — 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.