Buckeye Trail (Sinking Spring) landscape

Photo: Photo by Marvin Yoder on Unsplash

Buckeye Trail (Sinking Spring)

~5 days · 55.9 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance55.9 mi
Days out5
Elevation gain6,033 ft
Gain / mile108 ft
High point1,253 ft
Difficulty index23/100

What the Buckeye Trail (Sinking Spring) is known for

The Sinking Spring Section of Ohio's Buckeye Trail covers about 54 miles point-to-point through the forests, ancient earthworks, and rural roads of Pike, Highland, and Adams Counties in southern Ohio. Expect a mix of foot trail and road walking typical of the Buckeye Trail.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Buckeye Trail (Sinking Spring) on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 2,077 ft to 4,078 ft over 55.9 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 19.5 mi · 35%
  • Downhill 19.4 mi · 35%
  • Flat 16.4 mi · 30%

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

How hard is the Buckeye Trail (Sinking Spring)?

23 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Buckeye Trail (Sinking Spring) scores 23/100, a relative rating across the 569 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 (Sinking Spring) take?

Most backpackers hike the Buckeye Trail (Sinking Spring) in about 5 days (4 nights out) over its 55.9 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Buckeye Trail (Sinking Spring)?

The Buckeye Trail (Sinking Spring) climbs roughly 6,033 ft total — about 108 ft per mile, topping out near 1,253 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.

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