Explore the best rated trails in Portage Lakes, OH. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Lake-to-Lakes Trail and Euclid Creek Reservation All Purpose Trail. With more than 69 trails covering 4582 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
So I rode the middle section from the Zoarville Station Bridge (Rt 800) to Rt 416 (near Saltwell Western Store). I could not find the northern end of this trail section by the intersection of Old Zoarville Rd and Boy Scout Rd, so went back and took the more obvious side trail between the Zoarville Station Bridge and Old Zoarville Rd that followed the river. I later read on a trail map of Camp Tuscazoar that I had found the Lower Rail Road Bed. It was ok for the most part. More a trail I would walk my dog on than anything I would want to bike, but it is mostly passable with a few muddy sections I had to walk through. Probably not going to be the highlight of anyone's bike trip as it was a rough ride at times. I was thinking of finding a different way back. It was clear for the most part of tall vegetation (keep reading).
When I got to Dover Dam, the trail/road that went uphill was all ballast but short. At the top is where I met the actual Zoar Valley Trail. I biked south and it was a nice crushed stone access road for the dam that people can easily enjoy on a hybrid bike. The only issue is they filled potholes with ballast (which can be avoided). If you had to bike just to Dover Dam, this portion is recommended.
After turning around at Rt 416, I biked back to the dam. This time I stayed straight on the higher trail (instead of going down the ballast road) which was the route of the Zoar Valley Trail. It started out okay as a dirt trail, but as I kept going the vegetation got worse and out of control. Near the end, I had to pedal a few seconds here and there before tucking my knees up and coasting along the jungle path. However, by then I was at the point of no return and kept going until I popped out on Old Zoarville Rd in a spot I was at earlier when looking for the trail. If it wasn't for a previously missed trail post showing it was a trail for equestrian use, I would not have been able to point it out from the road. That is how bad the vegetation is.
Traveling south, if it is not flooded, I would recommend skipping the "higher" Zoar Valley Trail and taking the connected and more obvious Lower Rail Road Bed trail (take the trail to the right after the bridge, there is a sign indicating it is a trail), even if that means walking your bike up a small section of ballast near the dam. Again, the access road for the dam heading south was in overall good condition (and can even rival some trails). Traveling north, when you get to the dam take the ballast road down to the lower trail (again, if it is not flooded). The Lower Rail Road Bed ends at the path to get to Zoarville Station Bridge (turn left for the bridge).
In my opinion, if they add limestone and clear some vegetation, this middle section of the Zoar Valley Trail would make a nice addition to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. It has potential.
Perfect to find your way from the Towpath to the Cleveland Zoo and Old Brooklyn neighborhood. Massive elevation at the top of the trailhead. Kids will likely walk bikes up.
My dog Bailey and I are always looking for a new place to go. Glad I chose this location. Beautiful, clean and great hike!
We intended to start trail at Schoenbrunn Historic Village. No signs, and were unable to find the start of the trail. Reviewed the traillink map and then headed by road to New Philadelphia. Found the end of the southern trail. Stopped passersby, no one knew what trail we asked about. Eventually resorted to "google maps" and followed a hilly road which turned us right onto a trail that ran along the river for a couple of miles. Again, no signs. There were a few forks in the trail with no signage, so we had to guess as to which way to go. By this time we had no reception. The trail was rough, more suited to mountain bikes with no panniers!! We walked our bikes up a few VERY steep hills and through Camp Tuscazoar to a car parking area where some locals gave us directions back to roads that would take us on to the Ohio & Eerie Towpath. The towpath was a very pleasant 5-6 miles to Fort Lauren. Enjoyed this section very much. The previous 15 miles I would not recommend due to lack of signage, hills and rough terrain, ESPECIALLY if you are travelling with luggage. Only recommend for mountain bikers on day trip who know the area.
Miles 1-5 desperately need repaved. Gaps where pavement have separated, jar you and your bike. Feeble attempts, on some of them to fill in have created just as annoying bumps. What used to be a very decent trail has definitely taken a turn for the worse. No longer a pleasure to ride!!!
Very disappointed when I invited my Dad to meet me on this trail yesterday to ride after work! There are no trail markings or signage to let you know how to follow the bike trail which had us all twisted up and fighting with the city street traffic it was terrible!!
We started on W65th and Gordon Square which is a beautiful area, so they got the right idea with putting the trail over there but there has GOT to be better directions. If I would have brought my whole family, kids and all it would have been all bad how mixed and mashed up the route is!
Do better Cleveland Metroparks!
Very well maintained, smooth, and has decent inclines. Excellent parking and well marked.
Beautiful scenery and a well maintained asphalt trail. Predominantly flat with a couple elevation changes that are noticable. Minimum traffic.
This is a beautiful trail at all times of the year. Lots of shade and only a few - not so busy road crossings. It's a day trip destination ride from Clevealnd, Pittsburgh or Columbus. As the trail takes you through Leetonia and it's brick streets, you can visualize a once thriving Italian community. St. Patricks church and its' attached grade school (no longer open) still stands proudly as the centerpiece of the town. You'll love this trail!!!!
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