The Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail follows its namesake canal from Cleveland south to Zoar. When complete, the trail will eventually extend farther south to New Philadelphia, a total of roughly 110 miles. The trail itself is contained within a national heritage corridor that also includes an on-road scenic byway and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which operates between Garfield Heights in Cleveland to Canton.
The Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail is roughly divided into four segments: the Cuyahoga,
Summit,
Stark and
Tuscarawas sections. Cyclists wishing to ride only one way on the towpath trail between Canton and Akron can hop on the scenic rail for the return trip for a cost of only $2.
The Cuyahoga section runs between Cleveland and Everett and includes the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (from Rockside Road south of Garfield Heights to Botzum). There are some gaps in the trail but they are easy to bridge. There are numerous things to see and do along the way, including cultural and historical sights and wildlife watching. For more information, visit the Ohio & Erie Canalway webpage (click on the link under Related Links).
This is a great trail but it is supported by a number of different organizations in a somewhat confusing way and there are alternative sources of information to plan your trip.
1. The traillink web site that you are on with a map and reviews.
2. The ...
I am giving this trail a 5 star rating and while I do enjoy the Towpath and have ridden it from Harvard Road to Akron many times; I would like to point out issues with it. Don’t get me wrong, the path is well kept and the scenery is beautiful. The problem ...
I use this trail several times per week. It runs parallel to the old Ohio and Erie Canal and the Cuyahoga River meanders nearby. Most of the towpath is crushed limestone, a softer surface which is nice for walkers and joggers. It has the potential to ...