Find the top rated hiking trails in Lorain, whether you're looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hiking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
_150855_st.jpg)
_186536_st.jpg)
_133078_st.jpg)
_228736_st.jpg)
Unless you love climbing steep hills for half the ride then this trail isn’t an enjoyable one unless used for training
We did a 8.45 mi round trip between Harvard Rd and Warren Rd overhead bridge. Being in a wheelchair we had no issues whatsoever with the surface of the trail.
Nice trail for walking, running, and cycling. On the Saturday morning that I rode this, there were two guys blowing leaves off the trail, so it is being maintained. Be aware that there is about a quarter mile of the route that is off trail and you’re on a country road. The road doesn’t appear to be heavily traveled, though.
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 . . .
The trail is mostly really nice with great scenery along the entire thing. West of Norwalk, you will run into few issues, with the dip just to the West of the trailhead having some ruts due to runoff. Going East from Norwalk has some beautiful farmland, but you would be wise to keep an eye down at the trail itself. From ruts and potholes formed to attempts to fill these with sand, along with smelly evidence of horses, there are plenty of things that could quickly wreck your day if you aren't paying close attention. I've tried submitting a review previously, but maybe negative reviews are not authorized? Makes me wonder if any reviews are worth their salt on here honestly.
I was coming from the West. Once I got to the gateway trail head, there were signs at first to direct where to go, but it didn't prevent me from losing the suggested path. Once I pulled up the map from here, the line didn't align with any trail or road near Cascade park and it had it going right through a very closed, very tall fence at the Elyria Police station. Unless there is an underwound tunnel that I didn't see the entrance to, this map was apparently drawn by someone that hasn't been through there. Maybe it was "this is about where we want it to go" at one point, but don't trust the map.
Overall I enjoyed riding the NCIT when I found what to me is the true start of a rail trail.
I feel both TrailLink and the Lorian County parks are misleading on the overall length and nature of the trail. Not all of the advertised 19.3 miles are continuous asphalt for pedestrians and cyclists. There are gaps that would require you to either use a dedicated bike lane (not too big of an issue) or sharing a sidewalk or road shoulder with no shade (a much larger issue to me).
To me the true rail trail experience starts at The Gateway Trailhead in Elyria (6302 Gateway Blvd, Elyria). From there it is a short on road section to a little over 15 miles of paved, mostly flat trail. The trail is in very good condition, has mile markers every half mile and although it has a fair amount of road crossings there was only one in the 15 miles that was busy.
Scenery is mostly farmland, with a small bit of woods and wetlands. Oberlin is a good stop off with many options for food only a short ride off the trail. If I had known to start at the Gateway Trailhead this would have been an easy 5 star trail for me.
It's short but sweet...a real nature bike trail...rails to trails. Always worth the ride out on River Road.
Best kept secret! Smooth, paved, shaded trail that seems to be overlooked by all! Rode from start to end- then back- saw very few riders along the way. A true gem of level trails. Full disclosure…. There is a portion of riding on public streets… and not very challenging as far as inclines go. Overall a very pleasant experience!!
The Heartland trail's pavement currently ends in Marshallville. However, the park district keeps the next 4 miles mowed. You have to go off trail on worn paths to get around gates that are installed to keep vehicles off the trail. The park district plans to have this 4 mile section paved in 2026. It was fun to ride this section. Of course this requires a bike that is able to ride on grass/gravel.
The bridge that is shown going over the West Branch of the Black River in Cascde Park is closed. Lorain Metro Parks suggest a different route going through Elywood Park. See link to Cascade Park for recommended route. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59ef5b028c56a84a63338fb7/t/6165c8462503246a8bc3c064/1634060358894/Cascade-Park-website.pdf
John
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
Map Search
_159187_st.jpg)
