Gary S. Williams is a lifelong Ohioan and hiker. Since 1987, he has been actively involved with the Buckeye Trail Association, an all-volunteer group that builds, maintains, and promotes a 1,444-mile hiking trail that loops around Ohio. In the association, he has been on the board of trustees, a columnist and editor of the organization's Trailblazer newsletter, the head of publicity, a member of the trail building crew, and a section supervisor for a 50-mile section of the Buckeye Trail. Williams has a bachelor's degree from Marietta College, a master's degree in library science from Kent State University, and 25 years of experience as a librarian. As a freelance writer, he has written many articles on Ohio's natural heritage and has self-published four books on early Ohio history: The Forts of Ohio: A Guide to Military Stockades; Spies, Scoundrels, and Rogues of the Ohio Frontier; Historic Tours of Ohio; and Gliding to a Better Place: Profiles From Ohio's Territorial Era. In addition to hiking, Williams enjoys canoeing and cross-country skiing. He resides in Wintersville, Ohio.

“Not only is Hiking Ohio a perfect guide for Ohio hikers, but history buffs, too, will enjoy Williams’ extensive knowledge of Ohio’s history and Buckeye State lore they’ll find strolling through the book.”Steve Stephens, Columbus Dispatch Newspaper, Travel Writer

• NortheastIntroductionBeaver Creek State ParkCleveland MetroparksHinckley Reservation-Whipps Ledges and Hinckley LakeBedford Reservation-Tinker’s Creek Gorge/Buckeye TrailCuyahoga Valley National ParkThree Waterfalls HikeTowpath and Deep Lock Quarry TrailsLedges TrailTowpath Trail, Botzum to Ira and BackEagle Creek State Nature PreserveClubmoss TrailFernwood State ForestFernwood State ForestFindley State ParkFindley State ParkJefferson Lake State ParkOak Grove TrailLake County Metroparks-Chapin ForestChapin Forest, Buckeye TrailMalabar Farm State ParkBridle and Ski TrailsMohican State ParkLyons Falls and Pleasant Hill TrailsMuskingum Watershed Conservancy DistrictTappan Lake, Buckeye TrailNorma Johnson CenterPreservation and Conservation LoopsOhio and Erie Canal CorridorBuckeye Trail, Zoar to BolivarQuail Hollow State ParkQuail HollowBeaver Lodge TrailStark County Park DistrictOhio and Erie Canal Corridor, Warrington Road to Craig Pittman ParkWalborn Reservoir, Shoreline TrailWest Branch State ParkWest Branch State Park, Buckeye TrailSoutheastIntroductionBlackhand Gorge State Nature PreserveBlackhand and Quarry Rim TrailsBoord State Nature PreserveBroughton PreserveSouthwest Overlook, Western Ridge and Valley TrailsBurr Oak State ParkBuckeye, Loop, Tanager, and Chipmunk TrailsConkle's Hollow State Nature PreserveRim and Gorge TrailsDysart Woods Outdoor LaboratoryDysart Woods Red and Blue TrailsFlint Ridge State MemorialQuarry and Creek TrailsHocking Hills State ParkGrandma Gatewood and Rim TrailsAsh Cave to Cedar FallsRock HouseCantwell CliffsHocking State ForestHocking State Forest, Buckeye TrailLake Hope State ParkLake Hope Peninsula TrailOlds HollowLake Katherine State Nature PreservePine Ridge\Calico Bush TrailSalt Creek TrailRockbridge State Nature PreserveRockbridge State Nature Preserve, Natural Bridge TrailSalt Fork State ParkNorth Country Trail and Buckeye TrailKennedy Stone House TrailWayne National Forest-Marietta UnitLamping HomesteadRiver Trail LoopArcher’s Fork LoopCovered Bridge TrailWayne National Forest-Athens UnitWildcat Hollow Backpack Trail-Day HikeWayne National Forest-Ironton UnitVesuvius Backpack and Lakeshore TrailThe WildsButterfly Habitat TrailWolf Run State ParkWolf Run, Buckeye TrailSouthwestIntroductionCaesar Creek State ParkSpilling TrailCincinnati Metro ParksEden ParkColumbus Metro ParksHighbanks Metro ParkBlendon Woods Metro ParkEast Fork State ParkBackpack Trail-Backcountry Trail LoopEdge of Appalachia PreserveBuzzardroost Rock TrailLynx Prairie TrailFive Rivers MetroparksTaylorsville Dam to TadmorEnglewood Metropark, White and Green TrailsFort Ancient State MemorialEarthworks Terrace and Connector TrailsFort Hill State MemorialFort TrailGlen Helen Nature PreserveGlen Helen Natural AreaHamilton County Park District-Shawnee Lookout ParkMiami Fort TrailHarrison Tomb State MemorialHarrison Tomb State MemorialHueston Woods State Nature PreserveBig Woods and Sugar Bush TrailsClifton Gorge State Nature Preserve-John Bryan State ParkJohn Bryan State ParkMiami County ParksCharleston Falls PreserveOhio Historical Society-Piqua Historical AreaPiqua to Lockington on the Buckeye TrailRaven Rock State Nature PreserveRaven Rock ArchScioto Trail State ParkCaldwell and Stewart Lake LoopSerpent Mound State MemorialOhio Brush Creek TrailShawnee State ForestDay Hike and Connector TrailTar Hollow State ParkBrush Ridge TrailNorthwestIntroductionDelaware State ParkLakeview TrailGoll Woods State Nature PreserveToadshade TrailIndependence Dam State ParkTowpath and Buckeye TrailKelley’s Island State ParkKelley’s Island North Shore Loop TrailMagee Marsh Wildlife AreaMagee Marsh Walking TrailMaumee Bay State ParkBoardwalk TrailMiami and Erie Canal CorridorMiami and Erie Towpath Trail, Deep Cut to Bloody BridgeMt. Gilead State ParkLakeside TrailOak Openings Preserve MetroparkSand Dunes TrailSandusky County Park District-Wolf Creek ParkWolf Creek Park, Buckeye TrailToledo MetroparksFarnsworth to Bend View Metroparks