Haunted Hikes in Columbus, Ohio

I host “haunted hikes” or “ghost tours” in Columbus, Ohio from time to time. The schedule varies, but you can find them on Meetup!

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Join Daclaud Lee’s Haunted Hikes and Ghost Tours in Columbus, Ohio for a Spooky Adventure!

Step into the shadows of Columbus, Ohio, with Daclaud Lee’s Haunted Hikes in Columbus, Ohio, where urban legends come to life! As we explore eerie local tales like The Walhalla Witch, chilling forgotten spots, and Downtown’s haunted past, each hike offers an unforgettable look at the city’s ghostly history. Whether you’re a seasoned paranormal enthusiast or just in the mood for a thrilling experience, these hikes are designed to entertain, unearth local legends, and spark a few spine-tingling moments along the way.

Our Haunted Hikes take you beyond the typical ghost stories. From urban legends to overlooked haunted locations throughout Columbus, each stop offers an authentic peek into the city’s paranormal history. The tour concludes with a chance to unwind and share stories over drinks, allowing everyone to reflect on the hike’s spooky tales and maybe share a ghostly encounter or two. It’s a unique way to explore Columbus while meeting like-minded adventurers who appreciate a good scare.

Daclaud Lee’s Haunted Hikes are donation-based, making these experiences accessible for all who want to join. Since this is a passion project and volunteer-led, your support helps keep these hikes going. Reserve your spot through Meetup, bring your curiosity (and courage), and get ready for a night of eerie exploration and fascinating folklore!

Haunted Hike in Columbus, Ohio

Places We Explore

These hikes are not intended for anyone with mobility issues. Some hikes may require some light climbing, but nothing extreme. For longer hikes, there may not be any pit stops for a long time. Join these hikes at your own risk.

Clintonville

Step into the shadows and explore Columbus’s most chilling legends with a Haunted Hike like no other. Our journey begins at Lucky’s Market, where we gather to brave the haunted paths of Walhalla Road. Here, we’ll relive the tragic tale of Mr. Mooney, who leaped from the Calumet Bridge into the darkness below. His spirit, some say, was driven to despair by the mysterious Walhalla Witch—a legend who still lingers, casting a dark shadow over the area. Is it a curse, or just a story? Only the brave find out.

Our next stop is the Glenn Echo Tunnel, an eerie, forgotten passageway where legends come to life. Witness the apparition of a young woman who mourns in the shadows, and feel the chill of the nameless vagrant, lost to winter’s icy grip, whose anguished cries echo through the tunnel walls. With each step, the unknown grows closer, testing even the steeliest nerves.

Our journey ends at The Gates of Hell, a hidden location just behind Lucky’s Market. Local lore warns this dark portal could be a gateway to other realms—a place where reality itself blurs. Join us for this bone-chilling experience, if you dare, and immerse yourself in the haunting legends of Columbus. Reserve your spot on Meetup today, and prepare for a night you’ll never forget!

Total Miles Traveled: 3

Points of Interest

  • Walhalla Rd.
  • The Calumet Bridge
  • Mooney Mansion
  • The Gates of Hell
  • Glenn Echo Bird Tunnel
  • Glenn Echo Ravine
  • Portal Park

What To Expect on This Ghost Tour?

We will explore some hidden trails in Clintonville as well as take a scenic walk after dark down the infamous Walhalla Road and into The Gates of Hell. Most of these stories have been debunked as “Urban Legend”, but who knows, some might actually be true.

Read the Blog Entry for more details: Clintonville Haunted Hike through Walhalla Rd. and The Gates of Hell

Downtown Columbus

Prepare yourself for a journey into the haunted heart of Columbus, Ohio! This 4-mile trek begins and ends at Gemut Biergarten, where we gather our courage before venturing into the dark underbelly of the city’s storied past. Our first stop: The Kelton House, home to the infamous spirit of Grace Kelton. Known to wander the halls, her ghostly presence is said to haunt this historic home, leaving chills in her wake. Moving on, we’ll weave through Topiary Park, a serene space where the ghost of a vagrant is rumored to linger, hidden among the sculpted greenery.

As we continue, we’ll reach Nestor Hall at Columbus State Community College, where echoes of history haunt the present. Here, strange apparitions and inexplicable sounds have left their mark on unsuspecting visitors. Our journey then brings us to The Thurber House, where spirits from a forgotten time are rumored to stir within its walls, weaving threads of mystery and fear.

After a night of eerie exploration, we’ll return to Gemut Biergarten for a well-deserved break, where food, drink, and camaraderie offer a brief refuge from the paranormal. This is more than just a hike—it’s an encounter with Columbus’s most haunted legends. Join us, if you dare, and let these stories transform your view of the city forever.

Total Miles Traveled: 4

Points of Interest

What to Expect on This Ghost Tour?

I will tell some stories about the points of interests. I was a student at Columbus State Community College back in 2000 – 2003 and at that time I lived on Washington Ave. I had heard many local ghost stories from my neighbors back in those days and I will recount them.

Read The Blog Entries: Downtown Columbus 2024 Haunted Hike

West Side of Columbus

Dare to step into the shadows of Columbus on our haunted hike along the notorious Camp Chase Trail, where legends, whispers, and terror blend in the dead of night. We gather at a Kroger parking lot, a fleeting shelter before we face the darkness. Stock up on your provisions, because this eerie journey will test both your nerve and endurance.

Our path is steeped in chilling stories, from the spectral jogger who roams the trail—eternally reliving her tragic fate—to tales of a serial killer lurking in the shadows, preying on those who stray. Cyclists and walkers have vanished, leaving only echoes of fear and mystery behind. Whether it’s a flesh-and-blood predator or a vengeful spirit, something sinister is said to haunt these woods, waiting patiently in the shadows.

We end at the Cemetery for the Insane, where gravestones bear only the haunting word “specimen,” a grim reminder of those forsaken by time and sanity. Here lie the forgotten souls, once part of the Columbus Ohio Asylum for the Insane, their voices whispering through the trees. Will you venture into the heart of darkness with us? Bring your courage—and whatever protection you find comforting—as this night promises terror at every turn.

Total Miles Traveled: 7

Points of Interest

  • Camp Chase Trail
  • Insane Cemetery
  • State New Insane Cemetery (off limits)
  • Old Insane and Penal Cemetery
  • Columbus Ohio Asylum for the Insane (no longer there)

What to Expect from This Ghost Tour?

Expect a long walk from Kroger all the way down Camp Chase Trail to the Columbus BMV Headquarters on W Broad St. 

We will travel down to the public cemetery (the other one is off limits) and the third one is on the other side of the freeway, so we will only be seeing one. If we are lucky, we may even witness the police helicopters take off. 

Other Haunted Locations in Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio, is home to numerous locations steeped in history and rumored paranormal activity. Here are several notable haunted sites in and around the city that we may explore at some point. 

Harrison House Bed and Breakfast

Located in the historic Victorian Village, this three-story bed and breakfast has a history of high resident turnover, possibly due to reported hauntings. Guests have experienced disappearing items, unexplained sounds and smells, doors opening on their own, and indentations on empty beds. Apparition sightings are also common.

Ohio Governor’s Mansion

Built in the early 1900s, the Ohio Governor’s Mansion is the official residence for the state’s governors. Despite renovations, the spirit of an African American woman, thought to have been a servant who suffered a fatal accident involving fire, is said to linger. Reports include the scent of smoke and burning hair, sightings of the woman in various rooms, and instances where she has spoken to staff members.

The Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus

Established in 1897, this historic building has served various purposes, including a saloon and a billiard parlor. It’s rumored to be haunted by a former owner who died under mysterious circumstances. Staff and patrons have reported unexplained footsteps, moving objects, and apparitions.

Mirror Lake

Situated in the heart of Ohio State University’s Oval, Mirror Lake is known for several ghostly tales. The “Lady of the Lake,” believed to be the widow of an OSU professor, is said to glide across the water during late-night and early-morning hours. Other spirits include a student who drowned in the 1960s, whose screams and splashing are reportedly heard, and a jogger who was killed nearby, seen running while looking over his shoulder.

 

Fort Hayes

Originally a major military training post and arsenal during the Civil War through the Vietnam War, Fort Hayes now operates as an alternative high school for the arts. Several buildings are rumored to be haunted by former soldiers. The Shot Tower is associated with a private killed by an overheated cannon in 1865, and the Drill Hall is frequented by a World War II soldier seen pacing outside.

The Ohio State University

Beyond Mirror Lake, OSU has other ghostly tales. One involves “The Hopkins Handprint,” where a student allegedly had a breakdown after being trapped in an elevator overnight. After being discovered, the elevator was found covered in scribbles and handprints. Now, her spirit is said to leave handprints on the side of the building.