Haunted Hike (7 Miles) | Cemetery for the Insane | Camp Chase Trail

Haunted Hike: Nightmare Before Christmas Edition

If you missed October’s tour, now’s your chance to join us! This will be a challenging hike through a part of town marked by real-life dangers—not from supernatural beings, but from the shadows cast by humanity itself. Be advised, this is one of our darkest tours yet, taking you into depths few dare to explore. Prepare to confront a side of life you’ve never known...

*This haunted hike is limited to 8 people (including myself) to ensure safety in numbers while keeping our group size discreet enough not to draw unwanted attention.

Meeting Location: Kroger 3600 Soldano Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43228

In the creeping twilight of a cold and desolate December evening, we beckon you to join us on a chilling journey—a haunted hike along the infamous Camp Chase Trail. We gather in the fleeting sanctuary of a Kroger parking lot, where safety is but a temporary illusion before we venture into the darkness. Grab your provisions while you can, for it will be a long and perilous journey.

Video: https://youtu.be/P6y0RENOgT8?si=5plmAy4KwEbaQuIe

Madmen, lost to the grip of fentanyl and other mind-altering substances, roam the Camp Chase Trail under cover of darkness—a deranged figure among them, hidden in the shadows, waiting. Compelled by a dark urge, he lingers, seeking to drag any unfortunate soul who dares cross his path into the depths of madness. Armed with a terrible revelation, he murmurs secrets so chilling they unravel the sanity of anyone who listens. Beware these night wanderers, for their path is one of dread, and the trail’s secrets are not for the faint of heart.

The trail has earned a darker reputation in recent years— word on the street tells a tale of a shadowy figure, a nameless serial killer, has been whispered about in hushed tones, preying on those who wander Camp Chase Trail alone.

Cyclists and walkers alike have vanished without a trace, their fates lost to the void. Is this killer a living monster, or perhaps a phantom of the trail itself? As the shadows grow long and the night deepens, we shall follow this cursed path, ever mindful of the horrors that may stir in the silence.

Our path leads ever eastward, toward the heart of true darkness—the Cemetery for the Insane, where the gravestones are marked simply as “specimen.” Here lie the nameless, the forgotten, those whose minds were shattered and whose bodies were subjected to unspeakable experiments at the hands of a long-gone Columbus Ohio Asylum for the Insane. As we approach this desolate place, the air grows thick with the weight of madness and lost souls. It is said that on certain nights, the whispers of the deranged can still be heard through the trees.

Will you dare walk this path with us? Will you risk crossing into the domain of the serial killer who may yet stalk the trail, waiting for his next victim? For those brave enough to venture, we advise coming armed—not just with your courage, but with whatever means of protection you deem necessary. The night holds many terrors, and on this trail, safety is a fleeting hope.

This Ghost Tour is a stark reminder of society's struggle with mental health—a struggle that, sadly, endures in a new form today. On the West Side of Columbus, drug addiction has taken hold, creating a haunting parallel as countless lost souls roam the streets of Sullivant Avenue and Broad Street like modern-day zombies. This is an area filled with violence and dispair. It's a tragic reality, a reminder that while times have changed, the deep-seated issues remain, manifesting in different but equally devastating ways.

Disclaimer and Liability Waiver

By signing up and attending this hike, you fully understand and agree to the following:

1. Assumption of Risk: You acknowledge that hiking at night, especially on potentially haunted trails, presents inherent risks, including physical injury or other unexpected occurrences. You voluntarily assume all risks associated with participating in this event.
2. Release of Liability: By participating in this event, you release and hold harmless the event organizers, H3C (Hobbies, Hiking, and Hangouts Columbus), its members, leaders, and affiliates from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, or causes of action related to any loss, damage, injury, or death sustained during or associated with this hike.
3. Personal Responsibility: You acknowledge that you are responsible for your own safety and well-being. You agree to take all necessary precautions, such as wearing appropriate footwear, carrying a flashlight or other light sources, and ensuring that you have informed others of your participation in this event.
4. No Guarantees of Safety: This event does not guarantee your personal safety, and you participate at your own discretion and risk. Although the group will strive to maintain safety in numbers, the event organizers cannot be held liable for any incidents that occur during the hike.

By signing up for this event, you automatically agree to this Disclaimer and Liability Waiver. You understand and accept that your participation is entirely voluntary, and you have read and agree to the terms and conditions outlined above.