AEP partnership expands off-road miles on the Buckeye Trail

We don’t often pause to recognize the Buckeye Trail Association’s accomplishments. With so many trail projects and events in motion, it’s easy to focus on what’s next rather than what’s been achieved. But during the first days of fall, volunteers and hikers gathered to celebrate more than 15 years of work in the AEP ReCreation Lands—26 miles of trail shaped through a unique partnership between the BTA and American Electric Power.

These miles, stretching from Point 27 in the Belle Valley Section to Point 7 in the Stockport Section, represent one of the longest off-road segments on all of Ohio’s 1,400+ mile Buckeye Trail. For years, members have asked for more backpacking opportunities, and this collaboration made those requests a reality.

A landscape transformed by restoration

When many Ohioans hear the name AEP, they may think of their monthly utility bill. For BTA members, the name brings to mind environmental restoration. The AEP ReCreation Lands span thousands of acres in eastern Ohio—once active strip mines and now home to hundreds of ponds, sweeping reclaimed hillsides, diverse wildlife habitats, and quiet backcountry experiences.

Where the Big Muskie bucket once carved the earth, hikers now wind through peaceful forest corridors, past ponds, and across ridge tops. The work of BTA volunteers has helped turn these lands into a premier long-distance hiking destination.

A partnership built on shared vision

The BTA’s relationship with AEP has deep roots. While AEP is known for its skyscraper in downtown Columbus, the BTA knows the company most through on-the-ground collaborators such as Mike Williams, Supervisor of Forestry and Recreation; his predecessor, Dean Berry; and David Dingey in AEP’s McConnelsville office.

This small team has consistently supported the BTA’s efforts, helping turn a multi-year vision into a fully realized trail corridor. Recently, Williams announced a $3,000 grant to the BTA for trail building and maintenance equipment, further strengthening the partnership.

Celebrating the completed 26-mile route

During the fall celebration weekend, participants hiked the entire 26-mile AEP segment. Many of the hikers had helped build those very miles but had never taken the time to walk them without tools in hand.

Although storms rolled in early Saturday and continued throughout the day, spirits stayed high. A campfire—a rare treat for a backpacking trip—helped keep the group warm and dry. Over well-maintained trail lined with purple asters, beneath the early fall canopy, and along rocky streams and pond edges, hikers experienced the full beauty of the ReCreation Lands.

By Sunday, many were already talking about how to extend off-road miles even farther toward Belle Valley and Stockport.

Looking ahead: more hikers, more adopters

The success of the event sparked interest in establishing an annual fall hike through the AEP ReCreation Lands, perhaps scheduled later in the season to capture peak fall color. Now that this iconic section is complete, it needs both hikers to enjoy it and volunteers to help maintain it.

If you’re planning a weekend backpacking trip, start with the Belle Valley and Stockport Section maps. The BTA also welcomes new trail adopters—especially in Morgan and Noble Counties—to help care for these 26 miles and keep them open for all to enjoy.