This Amazing Hiking Trail In Ohio Takes You Through An Abandoned Train Tunnel
By April Dray|Published January 10, 2018
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April Dray
Author
April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.
By now, you’ve likely heard of (and explored) the abandoned Moonville Tunnel. But did you know there’s also another abandoned railroad tunnel hiding in Athens County just a few miles away? Most people don’t, however, it’s just as intriguing to explore—and this one, thankfully, isn’t haunted. (At least not super haunted, anyway.) King’s Hollow Tunnel in New Marshfield is a hiking adventure you’re going to want to add to your 2018 bucket list.
Check it out:
Located less than 3 miles from Moonville Tunnel, the King's Hollow Tunnel is also hiding in the middle of Zaleski State Forest. You'll head down Rock Camp Rd., just off of King Hollow Trail (pictured).
If you don't want to hike through Moonville as well, you can park near the intersection of King Hollow Trail and Rockcamp Road. (Note: This trailhead is also located about a mile west of the Zaleski-Waterloo Wild Turkey Managment Area.)
Along the way, you'll pass a high rock canyon hiding behind trees and an old railrad cement bridge (pictured).
King's Hollow Tunnel, (also known as "Mineral Tunnel", "King’s Switch Tunnel," "King's Station Tunnel" and "King’s Tunnel"), sits on the same old rail line as the Moonville Tunnel.
The tunnel was built around 1855 by the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad. It was located close to the town of Mineral, which was heavily involved in the mining and iron manufacturing industries during the 19th-century. The tunnel later became part of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and then the CSX, before it was abandoned in the 1980s.
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This timber-lined tunnel is now abandoned, making it a really unique hiking destination for Ohio explorers interested in the area's coal mining and railroad history.
(Please note: Remember to admire the ghost town remnants from afar, as abandoned buildings can be dangerous.)
So, what do you think? Would you explore this tunnel? If you have, please share your photos and stories with us!
For more details about how to find Moonville Tunnel, read our previous article here. For more photos of interesting hiking destinations and Ohio history, check out our friends Ohio Hiking Trails and Historical Sites on Facebook!
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