Ohio to Erie Trail Day 7: Akron to Cleveland (42 Miles)

From Rediscovery to a Reunion with a Grand Finale on Lake Erie

A Week Across Ohio on Two Wheels

Over the past seven days, I’ve shared the story of riding the Ohio to Erie Trail from the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati to the shore of Lake Erie in Cleveland. Each day brought its own landscapes, towns, challenges, and joys, from Amish country hills to canal towns, from sunflower fields to bustling city neighborhoods. Today’s post is the final chapter of that journey, the ride into Cleveland through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and the reflections that come with reaching the trail’s northern end.

Where It Began for Me

The final day of the Ohio to Erie Trail tour always carries a mix of excitement and nostalgia. I woke up to yet another perfect September morning in Ohio under sunny skies, crisp air, and the quiet anticipation of reaching Lake Erie. The mood among the group was festive as we rolled out of our hotel in Akron’s Northside neighborhood, ready to close the loop on seven days of adventure.

This stretch of trail carries special meaning for me. Back in 2009, after years away from cycling, I found myself on this very towpath, pedaling just four miles north into the Merriman Valley before turning back. That modest eight-mile ride lit a spark. I was struck by the sheer number of people out running, hiking, walking dogs, birdwatching, or simply soaking up the outdoors in the middle of the city. I hadn’t realized that such a vibrant outdoor culture existed here.

Riding it again today brought me full circle 16 years later, still amazed at the energy this trail holds.

Breakfast at a Familiar Place

Instead of the hotel’s limited and somewhat pricey menu, most of my group opted for Valley Café, one of my local traditions. Just four miles north along the towpath, this spot had been my cold winter morning starter before a hike on the many trails and parks in the Cuyahoga Valley.

A group of hungry cyclists filled the tables. My touring partners’ plates of hearty food and steaming mugs of coffee stirred memories of those snowy mornings and camaraderie with fellow hikers as we set out for the hike. Today, the warmth was from the company of new friends.

Through the Heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park

North of Akron, the trail slips into the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a highlight for most in our group. As a local, I watched this place evolve over five decades, from locals resisting eminent domain and turning farmland into a park that is becoming a crown jewel of the National Park system. Today, it’s nothing short of magnificent.

We pedaled past Beaver Marsh, once an auto junkyard, now a lush wetland thanks to park restoration and the labor of its namesake furry architects and builders. A little farther, Szalay’s Farm Market offers fresh produce and famous sweet corn piled high on hay wagons against the boom of an air cannon chasing birds off the cornfields.

At Peninsula, the park’s bustling hub, the trail hugged the Cuyahoga River so closely that you couldn’t help but feel immersed in the valley itself. I coaxed our group into a short detour to the park’s fairly new visitor center, complete with a gorgeous map, rangers helping plot a day of hiking, birdwatching, or a bike ride, and a Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad station. The shady trail widened on the park’s northern end into a sunlit valley with bright yellow wingstem wildflowers lining our path, a sign that we were approaching Cleveland.

Industry, History, and the Ride into Cleveland

Leaving the park, the trail wove through Cleveland Metroparks along the river. It’s hard to imagine now, but this was once the beginning of the industrial empire of John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil. Where refineries once stood, nature has reclaimed the riverbanks, blending history with renewal.

At Steelyard Commons, a retail complex on the site of a former steel mill, we began the final climb out of the Cuyahoga River valley. The reward came at the top: Cleveland’s iconic script sign on Abbey Anenue, perfectly framing the skyline behind the industrial Cleveland Flats along the river. It’s one of the best end-of-tour photo ops that is only a few hundred feet off the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail and is worth the brief detour.

Traditions at the Finish

Our official end-of-tour celebration was in Ohio City on West 25th Street, just past the bustling West Side Market. There, we gathered for a celebratory brunch at Townhall, where stories, laughter, and shared relief filled the tables.

No Ohio to Erie Trail tour feels complete without reaching the Lake Erie shoreline. Our group followed the trail to Edgewater Park, the traditional spot where cyclists, having dipped their rear tire in the Ohio River at Cincinnati, dip their front tire in Lake Erie. While many carried on the ritual, I chose to skip it this time, having done it on past tours. Instead, I pedaled to the west end of the park to one of my favorite photo-ops: a Cleveland script sign framing a sweeping view of the lake, shoreline, and Cleveland skyline beyond.

At the Edgewater beachhouse parking lot, we regrouped one last time. Some changed into travel clothes, others packed up bikes, and everyone exchanged hugs, phone numbers, and promises to ride again. What began seven days ago with 19 cyclists, many strangers, ended with a circle of friends.

My Reflections of the Day

For me, the week was more than just miles. I’ve often solo-toured or traveled with one close friend, avoiding groups for fear of “drama.” But this ride shifted my perspective. Yes, there were brief moments of tension, but also more laughter, kindness, and connection that elevated the entire experience.

As president of the Ohio to Erie Trail, I tend to focus on the visitor, community, and business experiences along the trail from these different perspectives. This week reminded me of something deeper: the shared experience of being on the trail together. Whether it’s two solo riders striking up a conversation, a local offering directions, a business owner filling water bottles, or a group celebrating at a café, these human connections enrich the journey.

This ride widened my view. It gave me not just stories of towns and landscapes, but stories of people and how trails have the power to bring us together. So here’s to the Ohio to Erie Trail: not just a path across Ohio, but a thread that weaves lives, memories, and friendships into something lasting.

My Week at a Glance

Seven days, 326 miles, and countless memories later, this journey across Ohio has reminded me why the Ohio to Erie Trail is more than just a line on a map. It connects people as much as it connects cities, weaving together small towns, changing landscapes, and shared experiences that linger long after the ride is over.

Whether you’re a solo rider, part of a group, or someone dreaming about your first long-distance tour, the trail offers not just miles to cover but stories waiting to be lived. I’m grateful to have shared mine with you. I hope it inspires you to find your own on the Ohio to Erie Trail.

Explore. Experience. Make memories. Enjoy life and the ride!