Find the top rated dog walking trails in Boardman, whether you're looking for an easy short dog walking trail or a long dog walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a dog walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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As other reviewers noted, this trail has several areas that are washed out with rough areas caused by water flow. These are not insurmountable and with a mountain bike are pretty easily crossed. If you’re trying for speed, this is probably not the trail for you. Otherwise, though, it’s a perfectly fine afternoon ride. There are some sandy spots near one of the farms to be careful of. There are not any tall bridges or tunnels on this trsil like some of the others, but it is a quiet ride through the woods and farmland.
We rode this trail for the first time and had a really great time - there are a lot of bluebirds since someone has installed many bluebird boxes, as well as many other species. Saw numerous deer and enjoyed a variety of wildflowers, and passed very few other people. A few patches are slightly washboard-like but nothing significant. Gazebos with seating, benches and covered bridges on the way, with beautiful plantings by some wonderful local garden clubs. My husband absolutely loved seeing the huge natural gas plant - rode by it for about half a mile! Stopped at the DQ for ice cream at the end point before heading back to the car park at Bowerston.
No matter whether you start from the southwest or northeast end of this trail you will find yourself climbing. This is because the trail crosses over the ridge that separates the watersheds of the Chagrin River to the east and Tinkers Creek to the west. Of course, once you pass the Harper Ridge Picnic Area near the trail's midpoint then it is downhill the rest of the ride. The climbs are not necessarily difficult, but their are a few short spots where the gradient in all likelihood exceeds 7%. I mention this as many TrailLink users will find that this trail is definitely not a rail trail with gentle climbs.
Much of this trail runs through a thin park green space that surrounds the Hawthorn Parkway which connects the Cleveland Metroparks South Chagrin Reservation with the Bedford Reservation to the west. This connection between Cleveland Metroparks is part of a longer 75 mile route through the Cleveland Metroparks Reservations that surround downtown Cleveland known as the Emerald Necklace. Because this particular trail runs through this thin green space between the two aforementioned parks the more interesting sights found in the South Chagrin Reservation are found in the larger park on the eastern end of the trail, though many if these attractions require hikes off the trail to see them.
Very well maintained paved trail from the trail head at Tannery Park in Kent to the southwestern end near Perkins in Akron. We were pleasantly surprised at the trail.
My wife and I have been avid road cyclists in the past, but with the increase in distracted drivers have opted to stay on well maintained trails (preferably paved).
Have been riding the Portage County Bike and Hike trail, but looking for other opportunities tried this route. Mostly flat with just a few small hills.
As other reviews have stated there are several road crossings that are somewhat annoying but we usually ride early on Saturday and/or Sunday morning, so traffic is light at those times.
I would highly recommend this trail to anyone who is unfamiliar with gravel biking as a starter trail. The only problem this the trail can only be accessed by going through private property, a busy road, or steep hills. The trail is 5/5, but the entrances caused me to rate it 4/5.
Want to warn anyone who is considering this trial. Parts of it are in serious disrepair from washouts and soft spots. It has the potential to be beautiful but the rains have taken a toll on it, especially on the the Freeport end. Would like to try it again if they are able to get it repaired.
Very nice trail to ride. It’s asphalted, well maintained, shaded and other trail users are friendly/courteous.
My wife and I rode the Maple Highlands Trail from just below Chardon to the southern end at Swine Creek reservation. There are some changes in elevation, most are quite mild, but this trail isn't flat. Use by the Amish has left most of the southern section of this trail littered with horse manure. The two covered bridges across creeks are nice places to stop and take in a the rural countryside views. The trail is poorly marked in the town of Middlefield where you use streets for about half-mile before returning to the paved bike way. (We're familiar with the area and we still needed to use our GPS.) The last section of this trail is on a 2-lane rural road where, despite signs warning drivers of pedestrian use, vehicles whiz by a little too quickly. There's a nice mix of sunny meadows and shaded areas.
This trail is a real gem. You get to experience a great variety of scenery. The trail surface is paved and in pretty good shape, although there are some areas that could use a repaving. The route combines a rail trail with a city greenway, residential streets, and park trails. My biggest complaint has to do with the crossings of some of the more heavily traveled roads that the trail crosses; mostly in the Stow Loop. [Kent Rd. (Rt.59), Graham Rd., East Steels Corners Rd., Seasons Rd., and W. Aurora Rd. (Rt 82) in Sagamore Hills] Keep you eyes open and be aware of the drivers at these crossings. Twice I had a car stop to allow me to cross and people decided to pass around the stopped car as I was crossing. At one light where I was given a cross signal I had a car stop in the middle of the cross walk in front of me as I crossed. These crossings should be better marked, perhaps with signs with flashing lights at all of them with signage about stopping for all crossing cyclists. Regardless, I ride this trail several times a year because of the scenery.
This trail is a hidden gem. My wife and I biked all 12 miles from Van to Fisherman's Cove. The entire trail is paved! The ride was smooth and enjoyable. The grade was barely perceptible. The Belmar Bridge is breathtaking and they did an amazing job with the Sandy Creek Tunnel. It is a tunnel in a tunnel to fix the water leakage and the path through the tunnel is smooth. Views of the creek and wildlife were abundant. Only downside was lack of bathrooms. The trail connects to Allegheny River Trail, another wonderful trail.
My wife and I did several sections of this absolutely wonderful trail. We biked from the Saltbox 9 miles down to the Native American God Rock and back, and also biked from Emlenton north to the Kenderdell Tunnel and back. We were surprised to discover that the trail is paved from the Saltbox to Emlenton. The scenery was great, the ride was great and the volunteer staff at the Saltbox was great.
I only have a couple of cons for the trail. Bathrooms are difficult to come by in some of the more remote sections of the trail. There are ample bathroom facilities close to Franklin, but few were available from the Rockland tunnel until you hit the Sandy Creek Trail. Another issue was finding parking areas between Emlenton and Sandy Creek.
The two tunnels were gorgeous, but the Rockland Tunnel needs some work due to water leakage into the tunnel.
Overall, we were pleasantly surprised at what a gem this trail turned out to be. We definitely plan on returning.
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