Explore the best rated trails in Sandusky, OH, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the University/Parks Trail and Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway . With more than 23 trails covering 226 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.
I rode 2.9 miles on an out-and-back ride on the Mad River Bike Trail in Tiffin, Ohio. This rail trail runs from the Seneca County Fairgrounds to the old Tiffin Train Depot located on the corner of N. Monroe and Brenner Streets. The trail runs along Fair Lane which is located on the perimeter of the Seneca County Fairgrounds. Fair Lane was actually built on the old railbed based on my observation of where the trail continues on the other side of Hopewell Avenue.
Crossing over Hopewell Avenue brings you to the nicest portion of the trail. The next half mile runs between the backyards of the surrounding streets. The pavement here is wide and in very good shape. Once you reach and cross Sandusky Street, the trail conditions change. The trail narrows to the size of a sidewalk as it runs parallel to Brenner Street. When you reach West Market Street, Brenner St. becomes a boulevard and the trail then runs in the median between the two directional halves of the street from West Market to Clay Street. After crossing Clay Street, Brenner is no longer a boulevard but the trail continues paralleling Brenner until both the trail and the street end at the Tiffin Train Depot at N. Monroe Street.
The condition of the trail seems to deteriorate as you travel toward the train depot. It appears that there is just less usage of the trail on the northern end of the trail. The pavement is more worn and crumbling in some spots. I found it unusual that there would be sharrows painted on Brenner Street while the trail was running through the median of its boulevard section. On a positive note, there are rider/pedestrian operated flasher crossing signals as the trail crosses over W. Market and W. Perry Streets.
The Mad River Bike Trail appears to be a nice way to access the Seneca County Fairgrounds for some of Tiffin, Ohio’s residents. However, at present, I view this trail's utility as limited. It is not a trail that I would recommend to people from outside of Seneca County unless the southwestern end of the trail is extended approximately 13 miles to Carey, Ohio.
We parked at mile marker 9, Bur Oak Trailhead and biked to mile 0.0 at Lakeside Landing in Lorain, on the shores of Lake Erie. This section is not a traditional rail-trail as it has hills and ramps and quite a few bridges which cross the Black River multiple times. In 9 miles we passed a few trailheads with parking and facilities. From mile marker 9 to 2, you're on a paved trail then the last 2 miles into Lorain are share the road sections. Worth the trip! Biking to Lake Erie from Elyria was very fun. While in the area we stated in nearby Vermilion.
Not a real good pick. Very rundown, overgrown plants, Graffiti. We went at dusk on a Friday night and the parking lot by the bay had a lot of people and unsafe looking. Would not recommend.
First time on this trail. Serene. Tree canopied sections. Beautiful farmland views. Great stop over the Huron River. Nice depot stop in Monroeville. Wasn’t fond of the ride into Norwalk but it wasn’t horrible. I also wasn’t sure how I was going to like the crushed limestone surface but I really enjoyed the varied surface of the trail. Some of it was fairly smooth rolling. Some required constant pedaling due to a more depth of the stone, which I did not mind because I ride for exercise. Some of the trail was a bit rougher with some actual gravel spots but kept it interesting. Attention is wise anytime someone rides but this trail should be noted the shoulders aren’t always squared. They’re are sections they do slope quite a bit which can out you off the sideif yours not watching.
Flat, well maintained, and beautiful trail. You cannot escape tree root heave but these trail caretakers did well in that most of them are ground flattening them some and eliminating the sharpness. It also helps you see them coming.
Love camping at the GPAA campsite between Belleville and Butler I always bring my e bike with me! Lots of walkers and other people biking on it so be mindful when passing.
Its very nice in the spring summer and fall, very well maintained throughout and if you do not want to do the whole trail you can drive to a parking area along it and park!
I rode the entire trail on 02/04/2024. The temperature was in the low 30s to start and mid 40s at the end, sunny and little to no wind. I parked just off of I-70 near a dog park. The parking lot was in the open and lots of people were visiting the dog park so I felt comfortable about where I parked. From there I headed south to Butler and then up to the north end at Mansfield. As mentioned in other reviews, the trail is a mixture of open and tree lined and rural and less rural and I would really like to ride this trail again when the leaves are on the trees. In general the trail runs up hill from Butler and for the most part has a shallow grade. The only time that I really noticed the grade was after turning around at Mansfield. From there to around mile 15 or 16 (from Butler and the highest point on the trail) the grade was noticeably steeper. The trail is entirely paved and I found it to be fairly well maintained. As mentioned in other reviews there are stretches where roots have damaged the pavement...nothing severe but enough that I kept a firm grip on the handlebars when I encountered these stretches. For whatever reason, I found the northern part of the trail to be more inviting than the southern end. The northern end is also where I encountered the vast majority of other people using the trail. Sadly, I only passed by a couple dozen people during my ride and all but one were pedestrians. For a trail as nice as this one, I would have expected to see hundreds of people.
On the negative side, there are approximately two dozen road crossings. Most are small roads and appeared to be not frequently traveled. However, three or four were busier roads with vehicles traveling at highway speeds.
Overall, I definitely recommend this trail.
Baseline:
I am a male in my 60s and typically together with my wife (she was otherwise engaged that day) frequently ride rail trails. Our home trails are Buffalo Valley and Pine Creek and our favorite trail relatively close to us is the Northwest Lancaster.
Fremont to Bellevue section. Trail is flat and paved in good condition. Biked to Bellevue to lunch and back for a 25 mile round trip. Not much shade, goes through mostly farmlands. In the 12 miles from Fremont to Bellevue, 21 road crossings! Most of them there wasn't much traffic but you still had to stop, once you got going. In the past biked from Elmore to Fremont, found it to be more scenic.
We rode this trail, round trip, on 09/21/23. The weather was dry and in the low 70s. At this time of year, the trail is shaded enough to not be hot, very comfortable with shorts and a t-shirts.
The trail is fairly flat, being an old railroad, you'd expect that of course. There are several road crossings to negotiate, don't be in a hurry. Much of the trail has root damage, but that's been was ground down flat, so the ride is smoother. Some of the trail goes past industrial and commercial areas. Hills off in the distance are very scenic, it's good thing we didn't have to go up them!
There are several points along the way you can get on and off the trail, even stop for ice cream. Learn more about the trail at http://www.richlandbandotrail.com/
We rode a short section of the trail from the park on E 31st St in Lorain. We rode north and across the 1000’ bridge. It was very beautiful, but too steep for us 70-somethings on traditional bikes. Most of the other bikers rode e-bikes. Maybe sometime . . .
Love this trail, very peaceful, scenic and clean. The last few walks I have taken (at end of Sept 2023), the mosquitos have been abundant (I walk between 97 & Lexington). Be sure you're prepared.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
