Ohio Trail Networks
Gateways to adventure along the Ohio to Erie Trail
The Ohio to Erie Trail is a shining star of a trail network. This network of 23 regional trails spans 326 miles across the state. Its trails are part of the Great American Rail Trail, several United States bicycle routes, and the Industrial Heartland Trail network.
The Ohio to Erie Trail is the gateway to several regional trail networks within Ohio. A recent Rails to Trails Conservancy study showed connected trails experience an 80% increase in trail visits when part of a network.  Let’s look at some of the Ohio to Erie Trail network gateways.
Tri-state trails
The Ohio to Erie Trail follows trails in the Tri-state trails network for over 60 miles from the Roebling Suspension Bridge on the Ohio River to Xenia. Tri-state trails span southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and eastern Indiana around Cincinnati.
Downtown Cincinnati, Newport, and Covington are easily accessible from Smale Riverfront Park, the southern terminus of the Ohio to Erie Trail. Walk or cycle the Purple People Bridge or Roebling Suspension Bridge to historic Ohio River neighborhoods on the Kentucky shore.
Follow Cincinnati’s bicycle routes from the riverfront to the art deco downtown crowned by Fountain Square on the way to Over the Rhine. This vibrant entertainment neighborhood reflects Cincinnati’s Porkopolis Germanic architecture with historic structures like Cincinnati Music Hall and Findlay Market.
Great Miami RiverwayÂ
The Ohio to Erie Trail follows the Little Miami Scenic Trail to Xenia. This former railroad hub is the gateway to the Great Miami Riverway trail network, one of the largest trail networks in the United States. It’s a traffic tree cycle to Dayton, Yellow Springs, and many unique cities and villages.
Artsy Yellow Springs is a 10-mile cycle from Xenia. Young’s Jersey Dairy, ice cream lover’s heaven, and scenic Clifton Mill are close by trails and quiet country roads. Head into Dayon on trails to the National Museum of the US Air Force and the Wright Brothers Bike Shop to experience the area’s aviation past and present.
Central Ohio GreenwaysÂ
The Ohio to Erie Trail is the spine connecting the capital city’s trail networks. Franklinton, the Arena District, Italian Village, and the Short North are vibrant urban centers accessible by bike lanes on city streets. Explore Downton Columbus, the Ohio state capital, Topiary Park, museums, and urban art.
Trails lead to Franklin Park, a short detour south on the Alum Creek Trail. The park is surrounded by landscaped gardens and a world-class conservatory. The Franklin Park neighborhood is an easy cycle to downtown on a shaded bikeway. The East Market food hall with a brewery is 3 blocks from Franklin Park in the Trolly District.
Ohio and Erie Canalway
The Ohio to Erie Trail follows 60 miles of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, commonly known as the Towpath Trail, from Massillon to its northern terminus in Cleveland on Lake Erie. The canalway’s trail networks give a view into the area’s canal, agricultural, and industrial past and present.
Massillon Area Greenways
The Sippo Valley Trail connects to the Towpath Trail in Massillon on the Massillon Area Greenways (MAGI) network. Ohio to Erie Trail visitors pass through Dalton and Canal Fulton on the greenways. Canal-era towns and villages on the southern Towpath Trail are often overlooked by cross-state cyclists.
A shady ride south along the Tuscarawas River and canal leads to Navarre, Bolivar, and Zoar. Bolivar is a canal town and home to Fort Laurens, a Revolutionary War fort. Historic Zoar Village, a living history museum, surrounds an impressive community garden, a must-see in its summer glory. Many historic homes and shops are open for tours.
Akron and Summit County
Downtown Akron is the gateway to trails stretching across Summit County connecting to Portage and Cuyahoga Counties. The Freedom Trail passes through Tallmadge with its New England-inspired traffic circle with a church and meeting hall, on its way to Portage County and Kent.
The Portage Bike and Hike passes through downtown Kent heading to Ravenna. It’s a short ride via trail and bike lanes to the Summit Bike and Hike that circles northern Summit County. It enters the Cuyahoga Valley National Park passing along Brandywine Falls to Cuyahoga County’s Emerald Necklace of trails.
Cleveland and Cuyahoga County
The Towpath Trail is the gateway to Cuyahoga County and Cleveland. Bike trails and bike infrastructure connect city neighborhoods. The West Side Market in Ohio City gives a taste of the city’s ethnic past in an impressive setting. The Christmas Story House is one of many reasons to visit Tremont.
Cleveland skyscrapers, sports arenas, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are a short cycle through The Flats along the Cuyahoga River or over the Hope Memorial Bridge. A spectacular view of the skyline from the lakeshore in Voinovich Park is the perfect way to remember your Ohio to Erie Trail adventure.
And much more…
This is a sample of what awaits when venturing through Ohio to Erie Trail gateways. Experience the outdoors and adventure, urban and rural spaces, history and architecture, art and culture, food and drink, and more. Time spent beyond the trail brings what makes Ohio a must-visit place to life.
Enjoy Ohio through the gateways!
Tom on the Trails