By Colleen Kane
The Cincinnati Enquirer

It's a Saturday morning and you're groggily lying on the couch watching your eighth repeat of SportsCenter. You're finally starting to believe the Reds are in first place in the National League Central, so you figure you need to get out and clear your head.

And, lucky for you, there are plenty of places to catch a breath of non-city air near the city.

Cincinnati-area residents have hundreds of miles of trails in city, county, state and national parks at their disposal. They range from paved to natural, from shaded to sunny, from strictly-for-hiking to break-out-your-bike, rollerblades or horse.

Here are some suggestions to get you started thanks to Winton Woods hub naturalist Jerry Lippert, Cincinnati Park Board supervisor of nature education Vivian Wagner and plenty of Web searching:

Miami Whitewater Forest

Total miles of trails: about 15

Level: Easy to moderate

Location: Dry Fork Road exit off I-74, about a 20-minute drive from downtown.

Why you should go: One of the area's most popular outdoor spots, this park has it all. Start with the paved Shaker Trace Trail, which has a 1.2-mile inner loop and a 7.8-mile outer loop and is frequented by hikers, rollerbladers and bikers. Lippert said the latter winds through a ridge, Dry Fork Creek, wetlands and restored prairies and is a good trail to catch wildlife and flowers. "You see so much on that trail in one trip on a bike, it's hard to beat," Lippert said. Looking for a little variety? The forest's nature trails are quieter, hillier and more heavily wooded. Especially worth noting are the Badlands Trails, which boast unique structures and multiple valleys from heavy limestone erosion, Lippert said. Picnic areas, athletic facilities, horse trails, camping, playgrounds and a lake with water activities also are available.

Mount Airy Forest

Total miles of trails: 14-15

Level: Easy to moderate, mostly unpaved

Location: 5083 Colerain Ave., about 10 minutes from downtown

Why you should go: It's the Cincinnati Park Board's largest and most popular park, Wagner said, and it's within reach of public transportation. Miles of nature trails travel through ravines and along streams and fossil beds. Hiking along the winding road edges is also available for those who want a paved path. Picnic areas, playgrounds, horse trails, an arboretum and a dog park.

Shawnee Lookout

Total miles of trails: 4.7

Level: Moderate, can be steep in spots.

Location: Off U.S. 50 in North Bend, Ohio; about a 30-minute drive from downtown.

Why you should go: Lippert said Miami Fort Trail is one of the Hamilton County Park District's best-kept secrets and has one of the area's best views. "It overlooks the Great Miami and Ohio River valleys, and you can see the confluence of the two rivers. It's very dramatic," Lippert said. Part of the overlook faces west to catch the sunset, Lippert said. Picnic areas, playground, golf course.

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve and John Bryan State Park

Total miles of trails: 3 at Clifton Gorge, 9 at John Bryan State Park

Level: Easy to moderate

Location: The parks lie adjacent to each other between Clifton and Yellow Springs, Ohio. Clifton Gorge is off state Route 343, just to the east of John Bryan Park on state Route 370, about 11/2 hours from downtown.

Why you should go: Traditionally a favorite of rock-climbers, Clifton Gorge has steep cliffs surrounding the Little Miami State and National Scenic River. John Bryan State Park is just to the west, with similar scenery. "Stuff you don't see in Ohio a whole lot," Lippert said. Picnic areas at Clifton Gorge; Fishing, canoeing, camping at John Bryan State Park.

Red River Gorge Geological Area

Total miles of trails: 90

Level: Easy to difficult

Location: In eastern Kentucky, about 50 miles east of Lexington. I-75 South to I-64 East to Exit 98, Mountain Parkway 402 to Exit 33. Turn left at Ky. 11/Ky. 15 junction. Go 1.5 miles west on Ky. 15 to Ky. 77, and follow signs. At least 21/2 hours from Cincinnati.

Why you should go: If you're looking for something different, this is it. A part of the Daniel Boone National Forest, it contains more than 100 natural arches that provide views of the forests, cliffs and ridges of the area. Camping is available. Also nearby: Natural Bridge State Park.

Also ...

Others worth mentioning, according to Lippert and Wagner: California Woods Nature Preserve, Caldwell Nature Center, Glenwood Gardens and Winton Woods.

Also: Big Bone Lick State Park, Hueston Woods State Park and Hocking Hills State Park.