If you’re eager to get out of the house, look no further than the 2020 Metro Parks Explorer’s Challenge. This fun, six-week program is modeled after of our popular Passport to Your Metro Parks program and is supported by a Friends of Metro Parks’ Tad Jeffrey Memorial Fund grant.
This program, comprised of five different challenges, transports you and your family to several parks where you can get out, enjoy and explore your trails and waterways.
The Trail Trotter Challenge is great for those looking to take in the picturesque hiking paths in Metro Parks or for those with young kids. Park visitors with leashed pets can enjoy the Pet Trail Prowler Challenge and cycling and hiking enthusiasts alike can walk or pedal over 50 miles of greenway trails while completing the Greenways Go-Getter Challenge.
We even have a challenging Ridge Runner achievement, which features some of our more challenging hiking trails. Load up your canoes, kayaks or paddle boards and get started on the River Rambler Challenge.
These challenges are designed to take you to various Metro Parks. Revisit your favorite trails and discover new ones you’ve never seen before. From the valleys and ridges of Clear Creek to the beautiful plains of Prairie Oaks, you’ll find your perfect trail (or two). With fall color coming soon, these challenges will be a great way for the whole family to get out and experience central Ohio.
Lace up your hiking boots and start any of these challenges or get in the water and paddle to victory! For each challenge you complete, you can get a special 2020 Metro Parks Explorer’s Challenge patch. We also have a special bonus achievement for those of you who just can’t get enough of your Metro Parks. The first 200 participants to complete all four hiking challenges (excluding the River Rambler Challenge) will receive a limited-edition Thru-Hiker patch and T-shirt.
To download your own challenge cards and get exploring, visit our web page here! We have everything you need to get started, including interactive trail maps and a complete list of all five challenges and trails.
Happy hiking!
I’m confused about the map for the Camp Chase Trail for the Greenways Go-Getter requirement. It says we must complete 12.5 miles of the trail, but the map only shows a very small section of the Camp Chase Trail..about 2 miles and it shows using the park road instead of the newly completed section of the trail. Does this mean, we can only count that 2 miles stretch and we have to complete it 6 times? That doesn’t seem right.
Hi, Brenda. For this challenge, you only need to hike or bike 10 miles of the Greenway trails. The 12.5 miles is in reference to the total length of the Camp Chase Trail available for visitors to bike or walk, from the Hilltop area to the London switchover past Battelle Darby Creek; visitors don’t have to complete all twelve miles if they don’t want to.
Tina, according to the Greenways Go-Getter description on this website, “Biking, you should cover the full 52.9 miles” That includes 12.5 miles on the Camp Chase Trail per the card.
Brenda, the myhikes link only shows two miles of the trail. You can access the full map here: http://centralohiogreenways.com/trails/camp-chase-trail/ We stop managing the Camp Chase Trail at Lilly Chapel.
This is great!
What needs to be submitted starting mid- October?