This Ohio Park Is Home To The The First Urban Via Ferrata In The World And It Really Rocks
By Sarah McCosham|Published October 03, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
I have a kid who, I swear, is part Spider-Man. He climbs trees and playground equipment with a vengeance, and scales stop signs and fences with unbelievable ease. He loves climbing, and while there are certainly some amazing rock climbing gyms in Ohio, I want my kiddo to be able to climb mountains, if he wants. But mountain climbing in Ohio? Is that even possible? It is — and not where you’d expect. In the midst of our capital city, there is a place with “mountains” just waiting to be conquered. The only urban via ferrata in the world, Columbus’ Quarry Trails Metro Park is proof that you don’t need to travel to Boulder to, well, boulder… you can climb mountains right here in Ohio.
There's something beautiful and even poetic about an old rock quarry. The slate and granite juxtaposed with verdant foliage and blue pools makes for a scene that's far greater than the sum of its parts.
You transform it into a public park for outdoor recreation, that's what. Nestled just minutes from the hustle and bustle of Columbus, Ohio, Quarry Trails Metro Park is a place that promises epic recreation of all kinds.
The 180-acre park is unique in so many ways -- it's home to amazing kayaking and water recreation, as well as a 0.75-mile mountain biking trail that's as thrilling as it is scenic.
True to its name, Quarry Trails Metro Park is also flush with, well, quarry trails, offering a robust array of treks that includes dog-friendly paths and ADA-accessible trails, too.
The park's centerpiece is Ohio's very own El Capitan: a commanding limestone cliff that's now home to a horizontal traverse designed for a mountaineering style of climbing called a via ferrata -- the very first of its kind in the country, in fact.
Climbers will traverse across 1,040 feet from fixed metal rungs and cables, the majority of which features horizontal climbing with one larger vertical section. There's also a 90-foot-long suspension bridge situated 105 feet above a pond, too, making this one action-packed experience!
Here at OnlyInYourState, we're big proponents of travel and bucket-list-worthy adventures and while we love cross-country travel and encourage wanderlust, sometimes, the best adventures are found in your own backyard... or, in this case, hometown.
Did you know that Ohio was home to the only urban via ferrata in the entire world? Pardon the pun, but Quarry Trails Metro Park just plain rocks. Load up the car, grab your climbing shoes, and channel those Spidey-skills for this only-in-Ohio adventure! For more information on this amazing attraction in Ohio, visit the Columbus MetroParks website and if you have questions, this FAQ is super helpful.
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