While working in Mentor, found this trail thanks to TrailLink
Took about 1/2 hour to get to but worth it.
Parked at the Tara Creek Parkway. Ran north towards Chardon. Ran 3.5 up, then ran back down to Middlefield.
Trail is very nice.
Paved. Level. Only a couple small grade hills, mostly while going over the covered bridges, which are great.
The trail is marked every half mile on the benches along the trail.
Mostly wooded/shade. Mostly bikers on trail and everyone of them notified me that they were passing. Everyone!
If in the area, and looking to get a couple miles in, head down here.
Enjoy seeing all the Amish buggies and the trail as well.

This 7 mile trail is very technical. Out and back, winding and uphill both ways. A great workout for sure.
Trail follows along the lake. Picnic areas and restrooms along the trail. Most of it is shaded traveling though the woods.
You have to really pay attention on this one as this trail is very well used by all out enjoying it. You may be cruising along then come to a quick turn to discover people out in the middle around the bend. So if you're out there going for speed, this is not the trail. If you're out for a leisurely ride, this is the right trail.
There is a bike rental at the trail head, call ahead for hours. Open most days throughout the summer and shortened hours off season. However if the weather is nice and people are looking to rent, they will be open.

Gravel trail in multiple widths. Sometimes just a few feet wide and hope no one is coming the other way and other times very wide like a 2-lane highway.
High point on the trail is midway. Not exactly sure but I am guessing Cabot.
There is no water along the trail. No where to get water close to the trail. So be prepared.
Trail is 20+ miles and runs from Butler to Freeport. The name of the trail! Maybe a few blocks from the trail in Butler there is a convenience store to get water if needed. But along the trail, NOTHING!
However there is a bike shop along the trail near Bonniebrook that sells water but they are only open a few hours on the weekend (s).
Parked at Bonniebrook and biked downhill to Butler then uphill back. This was a 9 mile round trip. Then we biked the other direction towards Freeport.
It was hot (90 degrees) and we ran out off water. Next time we take extra.
All in all a great trail to ride on. We usually frequent this one one or two times a year traveling about an hour to get to.

On 09/05/20 we rode this trail from end to end and it definitely lived up to expectations. There are several high bridges along the way which provide for some really nice views. I imagine that in a month or so when the leaves are showing their colors the views will be spectacular.

On June 30, 2020, I started in Cumberland at first light. Bike was fully loaded for a self sufficient adventure. I was on a carbon road bike with 23mm tires. There were only a couple sections where the gravel was soft an pillowy slowing me down a bit to ensure I stayed upright. The key to getting through this brief section is to keep pedaling. The more you pedal the more your bike wants to stay upright. Beyond that the the trail is very isolated in sections. At some parks/ parking lots along the route There are tool stations with air pumps. There are bathrooms along the that I thought were few and far between, perhaps due to Covid and some being removed. I was able to do 122 miles in one day fully loaded at about 13 mph, just interested to see how far I could go. I noticed most others were not moving at that speed. I made the return trip back to Cumberland the next day.

Sunday afternoon hike; 73° and sunny. A total of 19 fellow hikers and 2 horse riders enjoyed the balmy weather. Trail was dry despite recent heavy rains; the installation of drainage channels has proven successful in normally wet areas. Many kayakers and canoers on the river. Hikers from local communities; Hubbard, OH, Sharpsviile, Hermitage, and Fredonia, PA.

Took the family for a bike ride. It was a beautiful ride and the trail was flat enough for my 7 year old to ride too! Part of the path is paved and the other part is cinders. The kicker is Metzger’s park is connected so we went to the park to eat our picnic and then the kids played on the playground. Highly recommend this park!!

Following the Google directions at Southern in point in Middlefield is in possible could not even get close to the endpoint to start going north. Otherwise the rest of the trail going north is excellent!

Nice long paved trail makes it great if you want to tackle a Metric Century Ride. We got in 63 miles.
Parked in Orwell and biked South to Champion and continued until it connects with the Garrett Wonders Trail. Took that into Warren.
In Warren we were able to get water at a BP Station a block off the trail.
Biked back to Orwell and had lunch at the Mexican restaurant steps away from the trail. They are very accommodating to cyclists, and we also met other cyclists having lunch as well.
After lunch headed North towards Rock Creek then back to Orwell where our cars were parked.
Trail is mostly rural except near Champion and farther South (Warren area).
There are no restrooms along the trail and/or places to get water. So do some research ahead of time. I suggest parking in the middle and this way when you pass by your car you can refill water bottles and stop for snacks from your car .
Trail is flat at fast asphalt in very good condition.