Enjoy up and down, left to right, rolling driving, spectacular scenery, tranquil farms, old riverboat towns, former strip mines, and a wild animal refuge.
Locals call the first twenty miles of this journey “the rim of the world.” The journey starts in Glouster, Ohio by taking Route 78 east. The drive is short but can take you several hours to finish. It may be one of the best ever – up and down, left to right, rolling drives anywhere in the Midwest. You’re in the high hill country of exciting Ohio.
As you head east out of Glouster, the2-lane state highway twists and turns and includes blind, roller coaster-like short juts that keep your speed below the limit and dares your driving skills. The scenic vistas are spectacular as you drive through the edge of the Wayne National Forest toward the blue Muskingum River in Malta. Try to take enough time from your driving to also glimpse the tranquil and scattered farms throughout this hill section.
The river towns of both McConnelsville and Malta have fine examples of historic Ohio houses from the days when riverboat commerce was the way of life. The river towns are sprinkled with local craft and antique shops. In the fall, the foliage is spectacular along this path. If you continue east on Route 78 for another twenty miles, you will enter the biggest coal strip-mining area in the country. This is the area where the Big Muskie once operated, which was one of the largest draglines used in the coal industry.
At Bristol, head north on Route 284, which brings you to High Hill, one of the highest peaks in Ohio and close to The Wilds. The Wilds, which you can actually ride through, is a wild animal refuge in the center of reclaimed strip mines.
Starting Point:
Glouster, OH
Distance of Drive:
42 Miles
Must Eat:
The Blue Bell Restaurant
2 West Main Street, McConnelsville, OH 43756
Phone: 740-962-3939
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Good Stop For: Great home style cooking
Best Time of Year for Drive:
Year round (the fall leaves are spectacular)
Points of Interest on Drive:
The Wilds® Wild animal refuge near High Hill, OH
Tagged with: best time:yearround • Ohio • wildlife
Filed under: Best Road Trips