Vesuvius Main Loop
Vesuvius Main Loop is a 29.6-mile trail in Wayne National Forest, Ohio. The Forest Service rates it trail class 3, developed. It is open to hiking.
Trail conditions, closures and hazards are not tracked here. The Wayne National Forest official page carries current alerts and closure orders.
Map
One end Other endLine simplified to about 100 metres. Basemap from the USGS National Map.
| One end | 38.6117° N, 82.6098° W · Directions ↗ |
| Other end | 38.6117° N, 82.6089° W · Directions ↗ |
The ends are the two ends of the longest connected chain of segments. The record does not say which is the usual start.
The trail
| Length | 29.6 miles |
| Trail class | 3, developed |
| Type | land trail |
| Surface | native material |
| Typical grade | 12-20 percent |
| Typical tread width | 18-24 inches |
| Motor vehicles | Closed to all motorized use year-round |
| Accessibility | Evaluated and does not meet accessibility guidelines |
| Trail numbers | 9 |
| Forest | Wayne National Forest (unit 0914) |
| States | Ohio |
| Detail published | management level, with uses |
Values are the set across all segments. Class 1 is minimally developed and class 5 is fully developed. Grade and width are the forest's typical values, not measured extremes.
Weather by month
Allowed uses
| Hiking | Allowed year-round |
A use is listed when the Forest Service records it as managed, accepted or discouraged on any segment. Discouraged still means legal. Uses marked restricted are left out. Where the forest publishes a Motor Vehicle Use Map, that map governs motorized use.
Trailheads
Sand Hill Trailhead No season published | under 0.1 mi |
Bluegrass Trailhead No season published | under 0.1 mi |
Balancing Rock Trailhead No season published | 0.1 mi |
Rock House Trailhead Open January to December | 0.1 mi |
Longbow Archery Trailhead No season published • be sure of your target, never shoot until you know it is safe! Never shoot an arrow until you are positive that no one is in front of you or behind the targets. • Watch for horses using the adjacent horse trail system. • Do not shoot at anything other than targets provided, this is unlawful and dangerous. • The numbered sign posts are the recommended shooting positions for each target. One arrow per target. • If you are retrieving arrows behind the shooting line, make sure you alert all other archers. Do not attempt to retrieve arrows while another archer is shooting a target adjacent to you. • No broadheads are allowed on the range. Field points only. Please withdraw arrows gently to reduce damage to targets. • Be sure to stay on the marked path. • Anyone under the age of 18 must be under adult supervision at all times. • No hunting is permitted within the Developed Recreation Area. • Bright colored clothing is recommended on the range. • Respect all others using the range. • Archery trail is open for use at sunrise and closes at sunset. | 0.2 mi |
Distance is from the point to the nearest part of the trail line. Season text is what the forest wrote and is often a season name rather than a date.
Trails nearby
Camping nearby
Campsite Atlas cards carry site counts and booking links from Recreation.gov. Forest Service cards come from the recreation layer and link the agency page.
Explore
Historic places nearby
Guidebooks for Ohio
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How long is the Vesuvius Main Loop?
The Forest Service records 29.6 miles under this name in Wayne National Forest, the sum of 1 segment.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
What is allowed on the Vesuvius Main Loop?
Hiking is allowed. The trail is closed to motor vehicles year-round.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
Where does the Vesuvius Main Loop start?
The line begins at 38.6117° N, 82.6098° W and ends at 38.6117° N, 82.6089° W. The nearest recorded trailhead is Sand Hill Trailhead, under 0.1 miles from the line. The record does not say which end is the usual start.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
Is the Vesuvius Main Loop in a wilderness area?
No. The trail line does not cross any polygon in the National Wilderness Preservation System layer.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Where can I camp near the Vesuvius Main Loop?
Lake Vesuvius Horseback Riding System (under 0.1 mi), Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area (0.1 mi) and Iron Ridge (0.2 mi) are within five miles of the trail. The camping section lists all 6 with site counts and booking links.
Source: Campsite Atlas
How developed is the Vesuvius Main Loop?
Trail class 3, which the Forest Service describes as developed. Class 1 is a minimal, unimproved route and class 5 is fully developed, often paved.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
How steep and how wide is the Vesuvius Main Loop?
The typical grade is 12-20 percent. The typical tread is 18-24 inches wide.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
Is the Vesuvius Main Loop accessible?
No. The Forest Service evaluated it and found it does not meet its accessibility guidelines.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
Who manages the Vesuvius Main Loop?
Wayne National Forest, Forest Service unit 0914. The trail is in Ohio.
Source
This page is built from 1 segment named Vesuvius Main Loop in the Forest Service TrailNFS_Publish layer, administrative unit 0914. Wilderness overlap is tested against the National Wilderness Preservation System layer from Wilderness Connect. Trailheads and Forest Service campgrounds come from the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer. Data refreshed November 1, 2026. The methodology page explains how segments become trails.