Wabash Cannonball Trail (North and South Fork):
Ohio
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Description:
The Wabash Cannonball Trail in northwest Ohio is actually two trails in one: the north fork runs east-west for 46 miles and the south fork makes up the balance of this 63-mile trail. The trails converge in the eastern city of Maumee, then jackknife away on their separate routes.
Both trails begin at Jerome Road within sight of Fallen Timbers Shopping Center. Don't be confused by the sign labeled "Wabash Cannonball Trail North Fork"; just a quarter mile west the South Fork breaks off to the left while the North Fork continues straight. By following the bicycle and pedestrian bridge over State Route 24, you can visit the Fallen Timbers State Memorial (recognizing the 1794 battle that helped open the Northwest Territory) and Side Cut Metropark, an off-shoot of the Miami and Erie Canal.
The first 9.5 miles of the North Fork are nicely paved. This section travels through Oak Openings Metropark. Several bridges cross small creeks, marshy wetlands and deeper ravines before the pavement ends and the smooth paved trail gives way to crushed stone, grass, and dirt for the remainder of its length, with the exception of 2 paved miles in the town of Wauseon. Before you reach Wauseon, though, the trail is closed at County Road 11. For most users this is the unofficial end of the trail. To navigate around this closure, turn north on County Road 11 for 0.2 miles and west on County Road F for 2 miles before turning south on County Rdoad 13 for another 0.2 miles. The trail appears again on the right. Back on the trail you come to the town of Wauseon.. Rotary Park on the righthand side of the trail offers parking, restrooms and plenty of shade. From here west, some sections of the trail are open and many are closed. The trail group opens more miles each year, so check back often.
The South Fork is a beautiful trail about 17.5 miles long through western Lucas County. The first 10.5 miles are paved and a fun, flat and fast ride. The final seven miles are similar to the unpaved section on the north fork. the crushed-stone section is best suited to walkers, equestrians, hybrid and fat-tired bikers. In the village of Whitehouse a park on the left of the trail has a large playground and baseball diamonds. This park is only 6 miles from the start of the trail and makes a perfect turn-around.
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Parking & Trail Access:
The main trailhead is at Jerome Road in Maumee. From Interstate 475 on Toledo's west side, take the Route 24 exit and head east .75 miles to Monclova Road. Turn left on Monclova for 1.3 miles then turn left on Jerome Road. The trailhead and parking are on the right.
To reach the North Fork's Wauseon Trailhead take US Route 20A toward Wauseon to Route 108/West Linfoot St. south for one mile. Turn right and head west on County Highway F and then turn left to go south on Krieger Street. Rotary Park and the trailhead are on the left.
The North Fork's West Unity Trailhead is accessible by taking Route 20A to West Unity and turning left to go south on Main Street. The trailhead is in the park on the left.
The best trailhead for the South Fork is in Whitehouse. Take State Route 64 into the town of Whitehouse, to the park adjacent to the trail on Saint Louis Avenue where there is a parking lot.
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Seasonal Restrictions:
Out of concern for the public's safety, some sections of the Trail may be closed periodically, due to agricultural spraying or during fire-arms hunting season, as the Trail passes by public hunting grounds.
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Reviews: [3 trail ratings]
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Wabash Cannonball North
By kwcopp in September, 2010
In the afternoon on September 21 we rode only about 5 miles out because of the extreme heat. It is a straight route with little shade & a few benches. Upon returning to our car, which was parked in Fallen Timbers Monument park just over route 24 via the bike/pedestrian overpass, we found that the car back windows had been smashed out & our suitcases, a computer, and a digital camera had been stolen. We wanted to ride this trail because it was near our son's home, but will not return to this trail.
We did north and south fork loop, about 23 miles
By bpierfel in August, 2010
We took the north trail to the end of the pavement (Fulton-Lucas Road) then doubled back to Girdham road, headed south to Reed, sort of east in the park to Obee to Whitehouse-Spencer, south to downtown Whitehouse where you can get on the south fork. It was 90+ degrees on a Tuesday morning / afternoon ride and the ice cream stand in downtown Whitehouse right at the trail was a great find. Best to have a portable GPS if you're going to try navigating the local roads. Nice country roads, virtually no traffic in the early afternoon.
Some Water Please
By leafmartin in August, 2010
A very unusual trail. A lot of street crossings, which usually indicates an urban area, but unlike almost every other urban area, there are no stores anywhere for water. So, make sure you bring plenty, especially for the north fork because there won't be any for the ten miles from Jerome street, with the exception of a small ice cream stand near Jerome street, about a quarter mile north of the trail, which may or may not be marked, depending on whether the city removes the cardboard sign.

I have tried many rail trails in Michigan, so I may be biased, but I did not like this trail. It was very flat, many unshaded areas, and basically no restroom facilities, at least for the ten miles on the north fork.


The rail trail that seems to be the opposite of this one, would be the Betsie Valley Trail. Mostly heavily shaded, with a lake with crystal clear water (crystal lake), and varying scenery (ends at Lake Michigan).

Like the gas station guy said in the movie "No Country For Old men", this trail closes "At Dark". I wonder what the legal definition of "At Dark" is ?
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Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Jerome Rd (Maumee, OH) to Montpelier, OH (North Fork) Liberty Center, OH (South Fork)
Counties: Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Williams
Trail Length: 63 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Cinder
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Wheelchair Accessible, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6016841

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