Wayne National Forest Hickory Ridge Extension Indiana Border Loop

This cross-border route extends Ohio’s Wayne National Forest trail system into Indiana’s forgotten coal mining territory where strip mine highwalls and reclaimed pit lakes dot the landscape like scars from the region’s industrial past. The trail follows old mining haul roads and ridgeline two-tracks that miners used to access remote tipples, connecting with Ohio Forest Road systems just east of the state line. Deep ruts from coal trucks still groove the clay-based surface, creating challenging off-camber sections that demand attention during Indiana’s wet springs.

Moderate difficulty requiring high-clearance 4WD for the steeper climbs and muddy bottom sections. The Indiana portion crosses private mining company land where access depends on current reclamation activities—check with Wayne County authorities before attempting. Best attempted late summer through early fall when surface conditions are most stable. No formal camping but plenty of flat spots on reclaimed areas. The reward is seeing how industrial extraction shaped the Ohio-Indiana border region and finding solitude in country most people drive past without a second glance.