The Serpent's Bones - Background

SE Ohio boasts many delightful touring roads for motorcycle, car, or bicycle, but none quite as peaceful and with as much natural beauty as the winding roads around and through Vinton & Gallia Counties, surrounding counties, and areas adjacent to the Hocking Hills. The Serpent's Bones is a collection of touring routes that can be followed as made, combined, or even bisected, for hours and days of riding, driving, or bicycling on paved routes not limited to state routes. These routes have been lovingly crafted by a local writer, storyteller, and teacher with a passion for the area and its natural beauty. They are offered to all travel enthusiasts who enjoy scenic backroads and who value the journey as much as the destination. #serpentbonesohio on Instagram

Off the beaten path, many of the roads go nowhere, slowly, and then circle around to bring you right on back only with a face full of wind, eyes full of beauty, and a heart made lighter by the journey. Plan to stay for a few days. Seek out the hidden byways and stop to explore the historic ruins, or take a boat ride on the Raccoon Creek, camp in peace and darkness at a private glamping retreat - Blue Heron Run - or just chat with a local. There's a little bit of something for everyone! We are so glad you found us and hope you come back often to explore the Serpent's Bones.

NOTICE: I recommend using ohgo.com for the latest on road closures, delays, flooding, rerouting. It is incredibly handy and might inform your day plans for touring and let you avoid surprises. ENJOY!

This photo was taken at Waterloo Wildlife Management area (credit to Brittany Grace Photography) - on the corner of SR 56 and SR 356. The entrance to the public area is just south of the intersection on the west side, cross the bridge, go straight at the Y with the house and outbuilding, and enjoy a mostly deserted experience of steep sandstone cliffs, fishing pond, and a wide variety of hiking trails. More trails can be found by going up the road to the right of the house and parking on top of the hill.

FYI - The links go to places of interest, of which there are many. Since this is not a commercial site I can advertise the places I like, for reasons that make sense to me. If you think I might like your place, but have not linked to it, drop me a line! So far: nature, romance, old ruins, RR tunnels, bridges, camping, kayaking, lakes, good eats, and beer are on the list. But hey, I'm open-minded.