Clintonville Ghost Tour: The Walhalla Witch and Gates of Hell

Tales of Terror: Our Haunted Hike Through Clintonville by Daclaud Lee

The Gates of Hell in Columbus, Ohio

Gathering at The Market: The Journey Begins

It was dusk when our group gathered outside Lucky’s Market in Clintonville, Ohio. The air was crisp, tinged with the earthy scent of autumn, as we prepared to delve into the shadows of local legend. Behind Lucky’s, hidden from plain sight, lies the infamous Gates of Hell—a place cloaked in cryptic graffiti, whispers of dark rituals, and tales of temporal rifts.

But our adventure wouldn’t start there. Instead, we began walking north along N. High Street, passing quiet neighborhoods and shadowed storefronts. The streetlights flickered, casting long, ghostly silhouettes. The group chatted nervously, their voices low, as though the night itself demanded reverence.

This Clintonville Ghost Tour is free on Meetup. Although I wouldn’t be offended you bought me a beer afterwards! Click on the button to join my Meetup Group and join me on the hike whenever I have it scheduled!

  • Total Miles Traveled: 3.5
  • Total Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Optional: Food and drinks at Derive Brewing Company or Hound Dogs Pizza

Walhalla Road: The One-Way Descent into Darkness

The Funeral Home and the Foreboding Road

Soon, we reached the entrance to Walhalla Road. Nearby, an old funeral home stood like a sentinel, its facade weathered by decades of quiet mourning. The sight set the tone as we stepped onto the road.

Walhalla Road is a winding, one-way path, its pavement dipping into a wooded ravine. The dense trees on either side formed a canopy, blocking out much of the fading daylight. We walked against the flow of traffic, a deliberate choice to see any oncoming vehicles—and perhaps anything else—that might approach.

The Mooney Mansion: Madness or Curse?

A Family Destroyed

About halfway down the road, we stopped at the location where the Mooney Mansion once stood. Though the house is long gone and another, more modern and contemporary looking house stood in its place. In spite of not being there anymore, its dark history lingers like a stain on the land.

I told the group about Mr. Mooney, a once-respected family man who inexplicably snapped. In a fit of madness—or perhaps under the influence of the Walhalla Witch—he murdered his entire family. The most chilling detail of the tale? He severed his wife’s head and hurled it into the ravine below before hanging himself from the Calumet Bridge.

Legend has it that, under the right conditions, his body can still be seen swinging from the bridge, a macabre echo of his final moments. Some say it’s a trick of the light; others believe it’s his restless spirit, tethered to the site of his atrocities.

Link to old images of Mooney Mansion: Mooney’s Mansion – Ohio Exploration Society

The Curse of the Walhalla Witch

The group was silent as I shared the story of the Walhalla Witch. A malevolent figure from Clintonville’s past, the witch was said to live on the outskirts of the settlement. She was a shapeshifter, capable of transforming into a pale, feral creature with long white hair, sharp talons, and glowing eyes. Her description mirrors that of a Wendigo, a supernatural being tied to greed, cannibalism, and curses.

The witch was rumored to lure wayfarers and children into her grasp, where she performed dark rituals and consumed her victims. Could her curse have driven Mr. Mooney to his gruesome acts? The group exchanged uneasy glances as we continued walking.

Teenagers and Tragedy: The Clintonville Horror House

The road grew darker as we approached another eerie tale. In 2007, a group of teenagers, led by Rachel Barezinsky, dared to explore what they called the Amityville Horror house on Walhalla Drive. Like myself, Rachel seemed to be an aficionado of all things scary. She and her friends decided that finding the Mooney Mansion would be a thrilling adventure.

What they didn’t expect was to awaken Allen S. Davis, a homeowner who was armed and paranoid. Feeling threatened, Davis responded with deadly force, bringing their ill-fated exploration to a tragic end.

The group listened intently, their footsteps slowing as they considered the thin line between thrill-seeking and danger.

An article on the Columbus Dispatch about the Walhalla Witch

Link to Article from 2007: The night that changed everything

Glen Echo Bird Tunnel: Ghosts in the Shadows

Our path took us south towards Indianola Avenue, eventually leading to the Glen Echo Bird Tunnel. The tunnel stretched before us like an open mouth, its walls damp with condensation and covered in faded graffiti.

The air inside was cold, and every sound—the scuff of a shoe, the drip of water—echoed endlessly. I shared the tunnel’s dark history: a homeless man, seeking refuge on a freezing winter night, was found dead here. Further up the trail, an unnamed goth girl met a grisly end, her life cut short by an unknown assailant. The weight of their stories hung heavy as we moved through the tunnel, each step a reminder of the lives lost.

Portal Park and the Gates of Hell

A Gateway to the Unknown

One of our last destinations was Portal Park, a small, nondescript green space that seemed innocent enough—at least on the surface. The name, however, sparked questions. Was it simply a quirk of the city, or did it hint at something more sinister?

We descended down into the Glen Echo Ravine, the trees closing in around us as we neared the infamous Gates of Hell. The entrance loomed ahead, its walls covered in cryptic symbols and graffiti.

Legend has it that the Gates of Hell are more than just a creepy tunnel. They are said to be a literal portal to Hell, a doorway to other dimensions or even different points in time. Some who entered were said to disappear forever, while others claimed to return, their minds fractured by what they’d seen.

The Neverending Tunnel

The group hesitated before stepping inside. The air grew colder, and the sounds of the outside world faded into silence. The tunnel seemed to stretch on forever, its darkness impenetrable even with flashlights.

The graffiti-lined walls felt alive, the symbols almost pulsating as if guarding their secrets. Some in the group swore they heard whispers, though no one was speaking. Others claimed to feel the sensation of hands brushing against them, though the tunnel was empty.

Each step felt like an eternity, the passage twisting and turning in ways that defied logic. Time seemed to warp—what should have been a short walk felt endless.

When we finally emerged on the other side. Water continued to flow into the ravine, which was at least knee deep. Unable to go further, we climbed up the steep hill. We climbed out of the ravine, hearts pounding, as though we’d escaped something ancient and malevolent.

Reflection: Shadows That Linger

After the hike, we made our way back to Lucky’s Market and then to Derive Brewing Company, where we sought refuge from the eerie darkness that had followed us. The group, subdued and exhausted, still wore expressions that reflected the thrill of what we’d just experienced. Their faces were pale, but their eyes sparkled with the adrenaline that only a truly unnerving journey can provide.

The night had led us through Clintonville’s most haunted corners, intertwining the chilling echoes of legend, tragedy, and mystery. Each story, each step, left an indelible mark on the group.

For those daring enough to venture on this path, the Walhalla Witch, Mooney Mansion, and Gates of Hell are more than just tales of terror. They offer a glimpse into the unknown—an unsettling reminder that the past is never as distant as we’d like to believe.

This tour is featured on Meetup, where donations are accepted but not required. If you enjoyed the ghost tour, then feel free to swing me some beer money at Derive Brewing Company! 

To Book a Private Tour

I charge $25 per person to take you on this Haunted Hike Adventure. No minimum on attendees. You can come alone, with a friend or with an entire group. You can reach out to me at therealdaclaud@gmail.com and ask if I’m taking on private tours. I will require pre-payment for all private tours. 

Private tours are only available after 6pm and end at 10pm. You can reserve any time slot within those hours. This tour typically takes 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Weekends are more flexible. No refunds unless I am physically unable to conduct the tour that day.