Bicycling

A premier bicycling experience awaits you on the Towpath Trail — 81+ miles of flat-out joy on two wheels.
 

Discover one of our state’s most scenic regions while pedaling on the historic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Traveling a path once used by mules, you’ll ride through five park preserves in the National Heritage Area. The hand-off between parks is virtually seamless - although terrain & surfaces change a bit.

 

Where to Start?

• Trailheads - 48 Trailheads offer parking, Towpath access & great journey gateways.
  • Trailheads run from Harvard Ave. North to Canal Lands Park South.
• Choose a distance - Use the map plan from there!
• One-Way Trip - Frequent riders suggest heading South to North
• Round Trip - Experienced riders suggest Cleve.—Tusc.—Cleve.
  • Get the more rigorous journey done first!
• Towpath Campsites - are available for single night, pass through travelers
• Overnight Parking - is only available at select CVNP Trailheads
  • Check Trailheads for more info

Bike Aboard! - Bike the Trail -
Ride the Rails! 

Have fun experiencing two great travel experiences in one outing. Available seasonally - typically May through October.

Visit www.cvsr.com for more information about ongoing services.

Along the Cleveland-Akron run of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad — you can bike one way and ride the Scenic Rail back the other for $2! It’s a great way to explore the National Park!

• When you’re ready to ride the rails - head to one of the Boarding Stations. We suggest arriving about 10" ahead of schedule.
• Wave BOTH arms to let the engineer know you’d like to board.
• Bike Aboard! The crew loads up your bikes & you’re on on your way. 

Towpath Bicycling Tips - 

A bicyclist's point-of-view

Before you hop on that single seater, recumbent, or tandem, here are a few helpful tips which we've gathered from area cyclists. Some are general and some are specific to particular sections of the Towpath Trail. If you have suggestions or tips to improve the trail experience for others, we would welcome the input. 

• Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen; biking gloves too!
• Consider padded shorts for southern limestone surface portions of the trail
• Tires - Hybrid or Mountain Bike tires are best - the wider tires are better for the crushed limestone found along much of the southern sections
• Bike Bell - key safety item - let people know you’re coming; pass on left; ride single file
• Bright Clothing & Flashing Taillights - very helpful - early morning & dusk

Map Your Visit, Preview Your Route!

• Check which Trailheads along your route have water available
• Note distances between Trailheads - and plan according to your fitness level

Be Aware of Weather Conditions

• Boardwalks/Wooden Sections - get slippery when wet or covered with frost
• Chilly frost in spring and fall - just a thin layer - turns Towpath boardwalks and other small wooden sections into slippery surfaces
• Continue to ride - but be careful/walk in these areas
• Recent rains / Early morning dew - again, be aware of wooden sections getting slippery

Canalway Fast Facts - Towpath 
 

It's a shared use trail - with multiple surfaces - traveling through five park preserves. Learn more here.