Holmes County Trail nears completion, etiquette becomes key for shared use

The most important rule on the Holmes County Trail is also the one people are most likely to miss: the speed limit is 20 mph, and lower speed zones can be posted where traffic is heaviest. That matters more now because the trail is no longer a quiet path for a few walkers and cyclists. It is a shared corridor where pedestrians, bikers, e-bikes, roller bladers, horseback riders and horse-and-buggy traffic all meet in the same narrow space.

The trail’s official site says 22 miles of its 29-mile route are open, including 15 paved miles from Fredericksburg to Killbuck and another 7.5 paved miles from Glenmont to Brinkhaven. The Holmes County Park District says the trail now has more than 26 miles of paved surface, with one lane set aside for bike and pedestrian traffic and an adjoining lane for horse-and-buggy travel. That design is part of what makes the Holmes County Trail unusual. The trail describes itself as the first in the nation built to accommodate Amish buggies.

That shared-use setup is why etiquette has become a safety issue, not just a courtesy. Trail users are expected to slow down, watch for oncoming traffic, and make room when the corridor narrows or turns busy. The trail is open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and special-use permits can be issued for group night rides or special events only if they are approved in advance and coordinated with local law enforcement. The park district also reserves the right to bar users who do not follow the rules.

The trail’s buildout is still moving forward. The Ohio Department of Transportation says Phase 5 is a partnership with the Holmes County Park District to extend the trail from State Route 520 to State Route 60 in Killbuck Township. That project includes a trailhead and staging area off County Road 622 north of Killbuck, along with bridge modifications over Killbuck Creek. ODOT says the new segment is meant for horse-and-buggies, bikes, pedestrians and other non-motorized vehicles, and the asphalt trail is generally planned at 16 feet wide, with some sections at least 12 feet wide where bridges or wetlands require it.

The corridor has come a long way since the railroad bed was purchased in 1998. The Holmes County Rails-to-Trails Coalition and the park district say they have raised well over $15 million in federal, state, local and private support since then. With the new four miles between Glenmont and State Route 520 now open, the trail is becoming less of a project and more of a daily route through Holmes County. That makes the rules on speed, space and respect the difference between a signature community asset and a dangerous bottleneck.