Backpacking Near Me

SPAIN: Walk the Camino de Santiago with Bold Spirit Travel

**WALK THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO IN SPAIN! (100 kms)** Is the fall of 2026 the season when you lace up your walking shoes and hit the Camino in Spain? Are you ready to be transformed by this ancient pilgrimage and the people who walk it? If so, keep reading! **DETAILS:** For a thousand years, pilgrims have traversed The Camino de Santiago. Follow in their footsteps as you **spend nine days walking** along the ancient trails that cut across the landscape of Northern Spain. **[***See the all-women Camino trip here.](https://www.boldspirittravel.com/journeys-1/camino-santiago-french-way-september-2026)** **CAMINO FACTS:** * This is not a race. * This is a slower-paced Camino experience where we average about 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) per day and cover a total of 100 kilometers (70 miles). * Completing this tour will make you eligible to receive the Compostela, the official certificate of completion issued by the Cathedral in Santiago. * Join expert Camino guides who will be with you every step of the way to share facts about the history of this sacred trail and tips on how to make the most of the trip. **WHAT TO EXPECT:** 1. A local, bilingual guide to help you along on your journey. 2. Additionally, a support van will assist with your luggage, freeing you up to travel light during the day. 3. All hotels, breakfasts, and delicious Galician dinners with wine are included in the trip price. 4. You can purchase lunch and snacks at frequent checkpoints and rest stops along the way. **I NEED MORE INFO:** 1. Want to learn more and dive deeper? We are glad that you are curious. 2. Attend a live Camino Info Session ([ask us](https://www.boldspirittravel.com/contact) for dates on those) or watch the replay which will answer many of your Camino questions. Email us for the replay. 3. Set up a phone call with someone from our team and talk through how to make this walk happen for yourself in 2026! Get clear about what you need to do to train and prepare for the Camino. 4. Read more about how to [prep for the Camino here](https://www.boldspirittravel.com/blog/camino-de-santiago-packing-list-for-women). Are you ready to embark on **your** Camino? Leave the details to us and get ready to be impressed by this magical adventure. * **[***See the all-women Camino trip here.](https://www.boldspirittravel.com/journeys-1/camino-santiago-french-way-september-2026)** * Cost: $5750 per person.

Sierra Club - Blacklick Woods Metropark Walk - Weds. Aug. 19, 2026

Join me for a walk of about 3 miles through beautiful **Blacklick Woods** **Metropark** **-6575 E. Livingston Ave. - Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068**. Meet near the Nature Center parking lot at the 3 benches to the right of the Nature Center sign by **6 pm.** Wear clothing suitable for weather and footwear suitable for variable terrain. We will be walking on brick, boardwalk, dirt/gravel, and asphalt. Walk will be at a moderate pace, trails are mostly shaded and there is no significant elevation. We will walk if there is gentle rain but not if there is a persistent thunderstorm/heavy rain. If you have a minor with you who is not your child, you must have a minor release signed for this event. Sorry, we cannot have strollers or dogs on this walk. Register at: https://campfire.sierraclub.org/campfire/apex/ClubEventEntry?id=a4SPo0000077pg5MAA In event of severe weather, such as thunder, lightening or strong winds, we will cancel the event. Hike Leader - Debra Orellana 614-284-3512 or. deb.hiking@gmail.com

Fast-paced 6 mile hike

Blendonwood Ravine Day Hike, 10:30 am

Sunset / Full Moon Paddle Series - Sturgeon Moon

Level One Tuesdays (Bachata & Salsa Dance Lessons)

Click Here For More Videos: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17bwkttXhV/ *********************************** Salsamante Dance Academy will be at Swerve Every Tuesday Night to share the Rhythm & Energy of Bachata & Salsa. These are Beginner Level lessons to get you comfortable and understand the two dances. Spread the Good News to all. Swerve Dance & Fitness Complex 640 Lakeview Plaza Blvd A, Worthington, OH 43085 Bachata 7pm-8pm Salsa 8pm-9pm $15 - One Lesson $20 - Both Lessons

Hiking at Sharon Woods

Meet at the Maple Grove picnic area for a 4 mile hike at 18 min/mile pace.

Blendon Woods Hike

Meet at the Nature Center parking lot at Blendon Woods to hike the Sugarbush, Hickory Ridge, Overlook, and Brookside trails approximately 4 miles at 18 min/mile pace.

Trails & Ales! Sharon Woods Metro Park / The Draft Room

**History** [Sharon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/sharon-woods/) officially opened in October 1968 to provide open green space for the rapidly expanding population of Westerville and northern Columbus. Located in Sharon Township — the biblical source of its name meaning "a plain" — the park preservation efforts began earlier in February 1962. Planners initially acquired a 139-acre parcel of land to protect it from impending highway developments. Through 23 distinct land transactions with local farmers and developers, the park district successfully amassed the core acreage by August 1965. Today, this meticulously planned 761-acre oasis serves as one of the most frequently visited properties in the Central Ohio Park System. The geographic foundation of the park is heavily rooted in ancient history and glacial till. Thousands of years before modern development, the area was utilized by Paleo-Indian and Archaic peoples who hunted native wildlife using flint-tipped spears. Centuries later, the land transitioned into heavily forested terrain populated by majestic beech, hickory, and oak trees. Early American settlers eventually cleared portions of the land for agricultural use and family farming. Remnants of these historical eras are still preserved across the landscape, safeguarding the natural heritage of Franklin County. The park features the 320-acre Edward S. Thomas State Nature Preserve, named after a pioneering Ohio naturalist. This specific tract of land protects an impressive old-growth forest containing eight distinct species of oak trees. Remarkably, some of these towering oaks are over 250 years old, predating the founding of Columbus itself. The preserve also protects a deep ravine system formed around Spring Creek, which supports diverse tree species like black walnut and Ohio buckeye. This dedicated sanctuary ensures that pristine, old-growth ecosystems remain untouched by urban sprawl. Recreational infrastructure expanded rapidly throughout the 1970s to accommodate booming visitor numbers. In 1972, the park district engineered a massive 100-foot-high sledding hill featuring a 500-foot slope for winter activities. Shortly after, excavations began in 1974 to construct a paved 3.8-mile multipurpose bicycle and walking loop. Upon its completion, the smooth trail was proudly declared the finest and safest recreational bike trail in Central Ohio. Park staff also established family picnic sites and incorporated fishing opportunities at the 11-acre Schrock Lake. Sharon Woods has long served as a crucial testing ground for advanced ecological management. In April 1974, resource managers made history by conducting the park system's very first prescribed burn on a 15-acre field. Decades later, the park faced severe ecosystem degradation due to an overpopulated deer herd that grew from zero in 1968 to 500 by the early 1990s. The resulting six-foot browse line completely decimated native wildflowers and forest undergrowth. Strict conservation and deer management protocols were successfully implemented, allowing the understory and vibrant wildflowers to recover beautifully. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of the park](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SHW_map_2023_1980px.jpg). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Edward S Thomas, Oak Openings, Spring Creek, and Lake Trails. The trails are individually not long, but we'll hike them in a couple directions and end up doing around 5 miles. Sharon Woods is generally not too strenuous. Most of the hike will be on graveled nature trails, but some of it will be on grass and potentially in the sun. **Where We'll Meet** When you enter the park, drive all the way back to the rear parking lot by Schrock Lake. You'll see a picnic area and playground here, as well as restrooms and a water fountain. Our hike will start near these restrooms. **After the Hike** After the hike, we'll head over to [The Draft Room](https://www.draftroomcbus.com/). This brewery is located right next to [Pasquale's Pizza](https://www.pasqualespastahouse.com/), [Can’t Believe It's Vegan](https://cantbelieveitsvegan.biz/), and [Jimmy John's](https://locations.jimmyjohns.com/oh/westerville/sandwiches-1514.html). These eateries will [deliver](https://www.draftroomcbus.com/menus) to the brewery, or you can stop and bring something in. The actual address of The Draft Room is [570 W Schrock Rd, Westerville, OH 43081](https://www.google.com/maps/place/570+W+Schrock+Rd,+Westerville,+OH+43081/@40.1115698,-82.9456815,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x8838f52171863dbd:0xbc5b0380f89850c7!8m2!3d40.1115698!4d-82.9456815!16s%2Fg%2F11bw4d67c5?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDcyMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), and it's fairly close to Sharon Woods. We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks.

Ultimate Frisbee on Saturday

Two/five miles fitness hike at Highbanks (Oak Coves)

Sunday Brunch at Del Mar Easton

Ladies, join us for a relaxing Sunday brunch at Del Mar Easton! Let’s gather for delicious food, great conversation, and an opportunity to connect with old friends and meet new ones. Whether you’re a regular or attending for the first time, we’d love to have you join us for a fun and welcoming afternoon. After brunch, those who would like to can take a leisurely stroll around Easton and enjoy everything the area has to offer. Come hungry and ready for good food, laughter, and great company. We look forward to seeing you there!