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The Portage River Trail is a short trail running through the village of Pemberville located in northwest Ohio’s Wood County. It is built upon an old Toledo & Central Ohio Railroad right-of-way that ran between Stoney Ridge and Fostoria, Ohio.
The trail has a dirt/cinder surface and runs between Rees Rd/W. College Avenue and Alexander Road in Pemberville. Highlights along the trail include Pemberville Station and a bridge over the North Branch of the Portage River. Both of these rail remnants are in good condition and might be of interest to train aficionados, but considering the length and surface of this trail, it is definitely not one that I can recommend to anyone outside the immediate vicinity of Pemberville. I view this trail as primarily meant to be a walking trail for the village’s residents. Unless this trail would be extended northwest 6.75 miles to Stoney Ridge, OH or 15.5 miles south to just outside Fostoria, OH I think there is little reason to seek out this trail.
I rode the Sandusky and Ottawa County Section of the North Coast Inland Trail using two out-and-back rides during September of 2025. The first ride was from Bellevue to Fremont, Ohio. The second ride occurred one week later from Fremont to Genoa and back.
Overall, I was very pleased with the trail. It is well maintained and the asphalt surface is in great shape with few to no cracks, tree root uplift, or potholes. The trail surface in Ottawa County is a chip and sealed stone surface that did not have any patches of loose gravel. Between Bellevue and Fremont a good portion of the trail is shaded with limited views of the surrounding countryside. It does tend to open up more the further northwest you go on the trail. Sunscreen becomes a must the further you travel in that direction. I encountered a number of cyclists and pedestrians using the trail on either side of Fremont, but it seemed that the further away you got from Fremont the less crowded the trail became. During my ride between Elmore and Genoa and back I did not see a single person on the trail. Perhaps, had I ridden this trail at a different time and/or on a weekend maybe I would have encountered more trail users.
I have just a few nits I would like to pick about this trail. First, I think that the on-street routes in the cities of Bellevue and Fremont need to be better marked. In Bellevue, as the trail comes into town on the east side you cross Bauer Rd. and have to travel 2/10 of a mile to Prairie Rd. only be directed back to Bauer Rd. to cross town. Why isn't there a sign at the Bauer Rd. crossing to tell you use Bauer to travel through town. In Fremont, there needs to be a bike lane between Walter Avenue and N. Brush Street along W. State Street (US-20), similar to the one between Portland Rd. and Southwest Street in Bellevue. This 4 lane divided highway has too much traffic and many large commercial trucks to ask cyclists and pedestrians to use it's narrow shoulders.
Secondly, I think that each town could benefit from a small business directory sign or kiosk posted along the trail as you enter each town. The North Coast Inland Trail is a long trail that attracts users from outside the local populace. Connecting these non-residential users to local businesses could have a positive impact on the local economy of each town.
I am definitely biased, but having this trail a quarter of a mile from my house is a gift. The crushed limestone parts are very smooth and any bike will work. It does get rough for much of the trip. A mountain bike or gravel bike is needed. I have a hardtail mountain bike and that is perfect. I hope in the future they complete the trail with crushed limestone. But if they don't I will still be happy it's there.
Really love this trail. Mostly shaded and they have ground down the tree roots but could use more road markings and signage at road crossings. The electric bikes and scooters are really becoming a problem.
The trail has been resurfaced and the section up to the Medina Career Center has been paved with asphalt. Trail is in excellent condition. Nice job Medina county!
We parked on the West side of Norwalk and biked almost to Bellevue and back. Trail surface is crushed limestone in iffy condition. Seen better, seen worse. It was hot out, not much shade. Historic restored train station and park in Monroeville was kind of nice. We ate in Norwalk at a place called Berrys restaurant on the main drag. Can reach by bike. Then we loaded up and headed to the other side of the town where the trail goes towards Wakeman. That section of the trail is also crushed limestone seen better, seen worse. More open farmlands over that way a few areas of shade. Pretty scenery. We can now say we've completed the entire NCIT all 100ish miles of it through 3 counties.
We parked at the lot in Elmore and first rode northwest to Genoa. This is a good section of the Inland Trail, very flat, good pavement, lots to see and do. The map doesn't show it yet, but the trail is paved all the way into Genoa. The newly added trail runs north beside Martin Williston road, and west beside SR-51, then winds along a separate paved path into Genoa. The trail is separated from the roads, no problem. The trail ends ends in Genoa at Washington and 6th streets, adjacent to an Ice Cream shop and Veterans Memorial Park. We then rode back to Elmore, then over to Lindsey. Each town is about 5 miles apart, giving us roughly half hour segments between each town. There are a few crossings along the way, but not bad. Plenty of shade. They just added a lot to the intersection going under the Ohio turnpike. There is a Sunflower Tours site on the outskirts of Lindsey. You can take a tractor-pulled trailer ride through a field of sunflowers for a small fee. Looked like a good time. The pavement is well maintained and the path is well marked. All and all a very nice afternoon ride.
Fremont to Elmore, August 2025. Parked in Fremont at 1500 Walter Avenue lot. Traveled West to just beyond Elmore and back. Though the trail does continue to Genoa, it was a hot and sunny day and there isn't much shade. Most of the trail goes through cornfields. Happy that we can now go under the OH turnpike at Waggoner Road. The 15 month construction is over, it's very nice and worth the wait! Beautiful Sunflower field in Lindsey. Trail is paved and obviously a flat rail trail through quaint old railroad towns. This is our favorite section of the trail we frequent it traveling 3 1/2 hours to get to. We brought in some revenue to the area staying 3 days and riding multiple trails.
We started at w. 53rd near Michael Zone Rec. Center and rode east. Was flat or downhill most of the ride. The trail is beautifully maintained and very scenic. It was a Saturday so a few strollers and runners, generally I like to see more people on the trail as it feels safer. This connects to the Towpath in the flats where you can pretty much get to anywhere - Whiskey Island, Tremont and West Side Market. We opted for West Market and grabbed a shaved ice. Looking forward to doing this one again!
As noted, this trail is in the second phase of three, so expect it to be under construction. The third phase will be making the trail under the overpass to eliminate going on the road for that short time.
I started at the trailhead in Greenwich. The parking lot and about .2 mile is gravel, but then it turns to crush stone (crushed limestone or cinder???). That was very flat and smooth. It lasted about a mile until the trail crossed Alpha Rd. The surface was then gravel and dirt, the worse part was closer to the overpass. After a short zig-zag on roads to get across Rt 250 and Vermilion River, the trail continued. The total length of the gravel and dirt section was about 4 miles. The final 2 miles going into New London was crushed stone again. The trail head in New London was paved with cement. No restrooms were at either trail head. It took me about 40 minutes in each direction. It is true that some places were rougher than others, but I was still rolling at 12-13.5 mph. On the limestone sections, I was cruising at 13.5-15.5 mph. The trail is lined with trees and fairly straight, since it was a railroad track in the past. It also crosses a few roads.
The trail does run alongside, but doesn't cross, an active railroad track.
A few benches are located on the crushed stone sections.
Eateries and shops are within maybe a half a mile from the New London trail head, and within a mile or so from the Greenwich trail head.
The trail has improved since I was last rode it in September of 2023, when it was all gravel, and much rougher. For those who like smooth asphalt, parts will be rough. For those who like single track on dirt over roots and rocks, probably won't think that it is bad. Wider tires are recommended. Mine were 35.
Enjoy the ride and remember that it is a work in progress.
Detours on road but not busy as is in the country. Love the flat paved trail 10/10
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