If you’ve ever read any of my blog posts before first- thank you! Second- you know I love traveling. Even better when I can combine that with my love of hiking, and major bonus when I add on exploring breweries. And that is what most of my blog posts are about. But this week, I’m talking about a different adventure I recently took- because you know, variety is the spice of life. So when my friend/frequent travel bud Erin suggested a bike riding adventure, I quickly agreed. After all, last year we had a successful bike ride at Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve. This adventure led us south of Columbus- the Little Miami Scenic Trail, where we enjoyed a day of biking and breweries.
Little Miami Scenic Trail
The Little Miami Scenic Trail is 78 miles in length. The trail goes as far north as Springfield, and stretches to Cincinnati. It was extended back in 2008, and construction has begun again recently (2021) extending the trail further into Cincinnati, connecting it to other trails.
The Little Miami Scenic Trail passes through a total of five counties (Hamilton Clermont, Warren, Greene and Clark) and two state parks can also be reached by the trail (John Bryan & Cesar Creek). It passes through some lovely cities such as Loveland, Morrow, Xenia, Yellow Springs & Springfield.
Connecting trails to Little Miami Scenic Trail
If over 70 miles of biking trails isn’t enough for you, there are 4 connecting trails you could add on to your adventure. Fun fact- did you know the Miami Valley Trails are over 350 miles of trails and is the nation’s largest paved network! The first trail the Little Miami Scenic Trail connects with is the Creekside Trail, a 15 mile trail from Dayton to Xenia. The second trail connection is the Xenia-Jamestown connector, a 17 mile trail. Third option is the Simon Kenton trail, a 32 mile trail stretching from Springfield to Bellefontaine. Finally, you can connect the Little Miami Scenic Trail to the Ohio to Erie trail. This impressive trail connects the Ohio River in the south to Lake Erie in the north for a total of 326 miles!
Biking the Little Miami Scenic Trail
On a Monday morning Erin and I headed south from Columbus to bike the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Let me clarify- we didn’t ride the entire 78 miles. Our plan was to park and start our ride at the Little Miami Brewing company in Milford, Ohio. From there, our plan was to bike to the 50 West Brewing Company in Cincinnati.
Trail sign in Milford, OH 
The ride from Little Miami Brewing Company to 50 West Brewing Company was 4.2 miles on the trail. However, once we reached the second brewery we decided to continue biking to the end of the trail, another 3.8 miles. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the official end of the trail, but there was a sign telling us the route was closed because of the construction of the expansion of the trail I mentioned early. That day we biked about 15 miles total, and let me tell you, it was tough! Erin suggested that I needed a better trail bike than my yellow and pink Ethel (you know, one with real brakes beyond pedaling backwards and gears), but she’s so cute! But yes, it was more challenging for me than Erin- but so worth it!
Along the way, we went over a bridge over the Little Miami River, passed through a golf course (where there was even a bike repair station), and rode along farm land. We had beautiful views of prairies and wildflowers. It really was a lovely ride.
Reasons to ride the Little Miami Scenic Trail
- Lots of options about where to ride, and how far;
- Ease of riding (the paved road was very smooth, and flat);
- Plenty of shade along the way;
- Lots of towns to stop at along the way, with plenty to visit in those towns, including…
- Breweries along the way!
Breweries along the Little Miami Scenic Trail
There are six breweries that are easily reached along the Little Miami Scenic Trail and even more breweries that can be reached from the connected trails mentioned above.
If you are interested in riding the Little Miami Scenic Trail specifically with breweries in mind, here is some information about the distance and time it takes to get between them. And please remember, drinking and driving is dangerous, and drinking and riding is too! Don’t ride a bike while intoxicated!
- Yellow Springs Brewery to Devil Wind Brewing – 10.2 miles- 1 hour
- Devil Wind Brewing to Cellar Dweller Craft Brews – 41.2 miles – 3 hours and 20 minutes (Note: Cellar Dweller is located 0.8 miles off the trail)
- Cellar Dweller To Narrow Path Brewing – 11.8 miles – 1 hour
- Narrow Path Brewing To Little Miami Brewing – 9.2 miles- 45 minutes
- Little Miami Brewing To Fifty West Brewing – 4.2 miles – 20 minutes
For the purposes our our trip, Erin and I visited Little Miami and Fifty West Brewing Companies.
Fifty West Brewing Company
Fifty West Brewing Company is named after US route 50, on which it is located in Cincinnati. The brewery first opened in 2012 and is open 7 days a week (Monday thru Thursday from 11-midnight, Friday and Saturday from 11-1am and Sunday from 11-9pm). In addition to beer, Fifty West offers a beer garden, volleyball courts, pickle ball courts, and going along with the sports options, they also host running and cycling clubs. If you need to rent a bike, you can do that here too!
Beer Garden at Fifty West 
Pickleball court at Fifty West
There are about a dozen different brews they make that are offered (though no flights). They have a burger bar you can walk up to for to-go, eating inside or to enjoy in the beer garden. Dogs are permitted outdoors. They also have another brewery in Chillicothe. During our visit I enjoyed a sour brew and also the loaded French fries.
Outside bar of Fifty West 
Interior of Fifty West 
Loaded French fries 
Little Miami Brewing Company
Little Miami Brewing Company is located at 208 Mill Street, Milford, Ohio. The brewery is located next to the Little Miami river and near the bike path (this is where we parked and started our day). It is owned by brothers-in-law who opened the 4,200 square foot brewery and taproom in 2018. They are open 7 days a week, from 11-10pm Monday through Thursday, 11-midnight on Friday and Saturday and 11-9pm on Sundays. Outside, they have a patio, and even Adirondack chairs to look over the river.
They have small batch craft beer, gluten free ciders, wine and liquor, but they don’t offer flights. Also at Little Miami Brewing Company- a kitchen! They offer pizzas (including cauliflower crust for you fellow gluten-freers), salad, chili and pretzels. Recently they purchased a taco truck so if pizza isn’t your style, you have another option. They have board games on site (perfect if you’re bringing children), and dogs are allowed outside on the patio.
It was a very fun day, a beautiful ride and great stops along the way. I would love to explore more of the Little Miami Scenic Trail, and I hope you visit is someday too! As always, thanks for visiting Catching Katie, I would love your comments and suggestions for future adventures.
[…] Another outdoor adventure option is biking, hiking or even going by horseback on the Little Miami Scenic Trail. The Little Miami Scenic Trail spans just over 78 miles from Springfield to the outskirts of Cincinnati. It passes through State Parks, small towns, over historical bridges and through stunning natural habitats. Starting at Buck Creek State Park, it passes near the city center and through several city parks. Read more about biking and breweries on the Little Miami Scenic Trail here. […]