Great trail

Beautiful and varied scenery, start to finish.The northern end is poorly marked!We completely lossed the trail at Piqua and had to double back...just added to the adventure. ¿¿

The trail from Verona to Trotwood is nice, some tree lined, mostly riding through corn and bean fields. DO NOT try to take the connector to the southern section. Route is not marked, no bike lane and once we found the trail back, it was covered with weeds and glass.

Maybe the best trail in Ohio. Well marked with scenic views and lots of amenities.

The trail North of Dayton to Piqua was frustrating for the first timer due to lack of trail markers. The town of Troy was the most confusing and is very very poorly marked. Compared to other local trials it has very little amenities and It’s hard to find water or restrooms My only other observation of this trail is that it doesn’t mark any road hazards. So beware of Tree roots small curbs and severe cracks for example. The beauty of the trail makes up for a lot this. This trail feels like you are riding multiple trials in a day due to its changing scenery with its calming river views and interesting city scapes.

I parked at the Wilbeth Road lot, and from the suggestion of a local, turned left, towards the 40.4 mile marker.
First mile or so is paved, then turns into small crushed stone. A level and flat trail. A couple small inclines by the underpasses. The bridges that pass over the canalway are in excellent condition and give even more variety to run/bike on.
A little bit of trash along the sides for the first mile or so, but once I got up to the next parking lot, and onwards, the trail is excellent.
The trail is marked every mile, definitely a plus as well.
This trail really deserves a 4.5, and if I had started at the next parking lot and missed the trash, it would deserve a 5.
So, as always, if in the area and want to get a couple miles in, head here.
You should also enjoy your run or bike.

Bellefontaine-Urbana Completed this portion with my daughter. The tar and chip was much nicer than I expected. (Fine chip and well compacted). Only bad part was a stretch with deer flies.

I ride this trail EVERY morning from the Hempstead Station entrance to the trails end about .66 miles south of Whipp Rd.... and then back! It's a great workout that's safe and clean!! Love it!!!

We have ridden quite a few of the long rail-trails (GAP/C&O, Katy, Couer d'Alene, Chief Ladiga/Silver Comet, White Pines, Pine Creek, Greenbrier, Northbend) and The OTET is unmatched for the variety of things to see and do along the way. The landscapes vary from the lake to the industrial history of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, The Towpath, Amish country, Columbus, the soybean and cornfields of western Ohio, the Little Miami River and Downtown Cincinnati.

The trail will be finished next year in Cleveland and there will be only a small road section on W25th and Franklin. Then its path all the way to Dalton (once the temporary construction of the CSO project in Akron is complete and the trail restored and the detour removed). The 17 miles on the back country roads between Dalton and Fredericksburg were pleasant with very little traffic. Same with the 10 mile section between Centerburg and Sunbury. The Downtown Connector Trail between Alum Creek and the Scioto River had its interesting moments but wasn't bad (but it wasn't rush hour when we did it). The Camp Chase Trail is temporarily rerouted along Wilson Rd but pay attention to the detour signs so you don't get off track. Only other section that was a little rough was Just east of Cincy on Wooster Pike - rough road, and fast moving traffic that doesn't like to give you 3'. But its only a couple miles.

All in all a wonderful trip. We took 4 days to do it but we had ridden most of the sections in the last few years so were less compelled to stop. If this is your first or only time take a few extra days, make a lot of stops and enjoy all this route has to offer.