Submitted by Coshocton Visitors Bureau

COSHOCTON — The Coshocton Visitors Bureau launched the new Coshocton Ring Geo-Trail over the weekend. Passports are available at the Coshocton Supply Co., 432 N. Whitewoman St., with clues available at geocaching.com and via the geocaching app.

Mindy Brems, CVB director, said planning for the new trail started in late 2019, but were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was designed by Lenie Holbrook, a professor at Ohio University.

Holbrook is an avid geocacher with nearly 11,000 caches found. He has designed multiple trails in Ohio, including the the Coshocton Crow Geotrail, which was active for seven years and brought several thousand people to the area. Brems hopes the new trail will be just as successful and active for several years.

Geocaching uses a smartphone and satellite technology to find hidden clue boxes. It's a free, outdoor, family-friendly activity.

"Caches are hidden in very clever ways," said Brems, "Finding and returning them to their hiding spots is lots of fun. The trail is a perfect way for us to feature many interesting attractions and our beautiful scenery, giving guests and residents an all new way to appreciate Coshocton County."

The Coshocton Ring Trail has more than 40 caches to find, all based on JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series. The exclusive coin can only be earned by locating 16 of the caches and completing the passport with the code words and cache numbers.

Completed passports may be redeemed for the coin at the Coshocton Supply Co. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily or at Coshocton Village Inn and Suites.

For more information, go to visitcoshocton.com or call the CVB at 740-622-4877.