Find the top rated running trails in Mentor, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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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.
If you like hills back-and-forth from the north end to the south end, this is the trail for you. There are so many things to do off to the side in Middlefield to grab a sandwich grab a hunk of cheese, even to grab yourself some wine and relax for a little bit before you venture back north, you will love this trail. This is absolutely beautiful scenery but a very good work out. Oh yes, do not. I repeat do not forget your bike lock what a piece of mind to know that your precious cargo on two wheels or even your Catrike Dumont that my wife and I have our locked up and nobody will even try to take it.
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 . . .
Scenic and peaceful. A great way to spend time staying fit.
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.
PLEASE , when on the trails, announce yourself when passing by saying " on your left " or ring a bell, something ! It is common courtesy as well as a safety issue.
Trail is maintained very well on a weekly basis, but… mile 0-5 have deteriorated over the past 3-4 years to where you are in for a very bumpy (and unsafe) ride. Gaps in the asphalt are extremely jarring to both rider and bike and make for an unpleasant ride. Some sections have been filled in, creating just as jarring humps on trail. Some gaps are an accident waiting to happen. Trail has many loyal users who deserve better to happen. Trail has many loyal users whichdeserve
PLEASE, when passing on the trails, announce yourself by saying "on your left ". It is common courtesy , and a safety issue.
Parked in North Bloomfield and biked south to Champion and back, then up to Orwell and back for a 35 mile round trip. Mainly shaded trail was good on a warm summer day. Trail is flat and paved. Trail has some bumps here and there. Trail section still closed over Baughman Creek (it's been a few years) between Hyde Oakfield Road and West Mahan Denman Road. Short back road detour.
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