By Wendy Pramik, Destination Mansfield – Richland County
Whether on foot, wheel or hoof, you’ll find adventure all around the Mansfield and Galion area. Trek at your own pace along one of Destination Mansfield – Richland County’s organized trails. They’ve made it easy for you to chart your course, and you’re welcome to mix and match stops for a customized experience.
Wine & Ale Trail
For a drink with a side of history, follow the region’s Wine & Ale Trail, 10 stops that honor the past as they flavor the present.
The trail’s theme is “Cheers to History,” and that’s what you’ll find (in addition to great beer) at The Phoenix Brewing Company in Mansfield, on the site of the one-time Schroer Mortuary. Ashland’s Uniontown Brewing Co. is located inside a building that predates the Civil War.
Order a glass of Blueberry Bliss, a sweet wine made with local blueberries at the 1285 Winery. Cypress Hill Winery, located on the lower floor of the Hudson and Essex restaurant, serves California-style vino inside a former automobile showroom.
Make landing in Lexington doubly good by visiting The Happy Grape Bar & Bistro, known for its delicious menu, and its next-door neighbor, Laxton Hollow Brewing Works, which serves true cask-conditioned ales in an English Pub-style atmosphere.
The Vault Wine Bar in Shelby offers local wines and scratch cooking inside a 20th century Citizens Bank building. Venture to Galion for Fox Winery, located in a historic building that dates to 1861. See what’s on tap at 1803 Brewery & Taproom, Galion’s first brewery since 1919. Wishmaker House Bed & Breakfast and Winery in Bellville offers an upscale bed and breakfast in a former 1890s home.
Bridle Trails
Saddle your steed and explore the region on 88 miles of horse trails in the region.
Ride past scenic overlooks and old-growth forests on the dirt paths that wind through Malabar Farm State Park. Pleasant Hill Lake Park’s trails range in difficulty from easy to hard and boast breathtaking lake views. The ultimate wilderness experience awaits equestrians in the Mohican State Park and Mohican State Forest with miles of hemlock forests, waterfalls and views of the Clear Fork Gorge and Mohican River.
See more of the landscape by staying overnight at one of the many horse campsites along the way — each equipped with campfire rings, picnic tables, restrooms and plenty of space for a truck and trailer. If you’re not up for sleeping under the stars, book a room and board your horse at Somewhere In Time Bed & Breakfast.
More Trails
B&O Trail – Pedal 18.4 miles from Mansfield to Butler on this pleasantly flat bike trail that meanders past Ohio farmland, over rail bridges and through Lexington and Bellville.
The Shawshank Trail – Get busy living and get busy driving on this self-guided tour of 15 filming sites of the 1994 classic The Shawshank Redemption.
Haunted Mansfield Trail – Grab your flashlights and electronic voice recorders and search for paranormal activity at four haunted sites in Mansfield and Galion. Learn more at DestinationMansfield.com/Haunted-Mansfield.
Get the latest information on Richland County attractions and events on the Destination Mansfield- Richland County website.
