Hike Or Bike Along This Ohio Rail Trail That's Rumored To Be Haunted
By Sarah McCosham|Published November 17, 2022
×
Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
If you’re the kind of outdoor adventurer who also fancies themselves a ghost hunter, there is a terrific (and terrifying) trail in Ohio that’s bound to become your new favorite haunt. In Southeast Ohio, Moonville is the Buckeye State’s very own ghost town, and not only that, but it’s home to an abandoned tunnel that’s rumored to be haunted. A former rail line, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources converted the Moonville Tunnel into a rail trail for biking and hiking, and it’s a chilling adventure that might just scare you silly!
In Southeast Ohio, Moonville is a town that's long captured the imaginations of ghost hunters and intrepid explorers.
As with so many ghost towns across the U.S., Moonville sprung up as a result of the railroad. There was a boom and then a bust; when it was all said and done, the only remnants of Moonville were the old schoolhouse, a cemetery, and an abandoned train tunnel.
Moonville Tunnel, however, is no longer abandoned. Today, visitors can hike portions of this abandoned railroad line, which has been converted into walking and biking trails.
This 10-mile rail trail takes visitors through the beautiful woodlands of Southeast Ohio, including Zaleski State Forest, the small towns of Zaleski and Mineral, and the wetlands of Lake Hope State Park.
Of course, the most unique feature of this rail trail is its two historic tunnels. King’s Hollow Tunnel (also known as King Switch Tunnel) is a 120-foot structure carved through the rock and lined by a series of 12×12 wooden beams. The other tunnel is the notorious Moonville Tunnel, one of the most haunted places in Ohio!
For those looking to embark on a short-and-sweet haunted hike, the Moonville Tunnel Rail Trail has a 1.2-mile trek that goes deep into the belly of the beast. Or, in this case, the Moonville Tunnel!
While this is a popular path for birding, hiking, and walking, you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. In fact, if you listen closely, you might even catch wind of a spirit or two!
Not only has this abandoned tunnel been transformed into a rail trail, but it's also become a celebrated part of Vinton County. The Midnight at Moonville Festival is a Halloween-themed festival featuring a paranormal investigation, live music, and the opportunity to hang out with fellow Ohio ghost hunters.
Would you be brave enough to hike this haunted rail trail in Ohio? What a delightfully spooky adventure in the Buckeye State!
Looking for another rail trail in Ohio? The Valley Trail is a hidden gem just outside Cincinnati that, as far as we know, isn’t haunted! But you never know…
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
