Find the top rated running trails in Ottawa Hills, 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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The Slippery Elm Trail is a flat, well-maintained trail found running through farmland in northwest Ohio. It runs 13 miles between the towns of Bowling Green and North Baltimore. The trailheads in both towns have nice trailheads with flush bathrooms, drinking water, and bike repair stations. Near the midpoint of the trail the village of Rudolph offers port-a-johns. The trail is wide and the asphalt surface is smooth. Where cracks have appeared they have been filled. Depending upon the time of year you ride the trail there may not be a lot to see. The parts of the trail that are shaded have lots of brush between the trees which make the trail seem like a green tunnel. Likewise, the parts of the trail running through corn fields also block seeing much of the surrounding countryside. Since much of the trail running through farmland is not shaded, using sunscreen would be a wise idea. In addition, I would suggest to make sure you carry a cell phone. I found the trail to feel somewhat isolated. On the weekday that I rode an out-and-back ride of the entire trail I did not encounter a single other person using the trail. If you have a crash or an emergency occur while on the trail, I don’t think you can rely on someone coming by to assist you.
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.
Nice and smooth. Nearly and surprisingly empty on Memorial Day. Great paved trail. River views. A super nice trail.
A new section has been completed that fills the former gap between Dexter-Huron Metropark to Delhi Metropark on the Huron River.
The first 15ish miles are paved and then almost EVERYTHING after that is stone and mud and dirt and you are in the middle of nowhere. Now, I could have done more research but I was not prepared to have to cut through random properties and factories to continue the trail. We had to cross a live railroad just to stay on track. The majority of the view is just cornfield. There are also not many places to stop for food or bathrooms or anything. You cut through wauseon, which has some places, but other than that there isn’t a lot. Anyways- I’m traumatized!
You don't send a lot of time in a nature setting with this trail, with the first three or so mile south of Hillsdale being alongside a busy road and pretty rough pavement to boot, and with the last three odd miles being dirt, you might want to skip this trial completely. Falling Waters Trail is short distance driving away, so try that one instead.
It's sunny, wide and open, a good round trip, and has a great view of Lake Erie. The northern portion by Carlson High School is pretty rough but evens out quickly.
First 2 miles from the north to the south are very bad! Water puddles and torn up asphalt. My wife had an accident when she was forced into the thicket. Do not recommend riding bike here. Never going back.!!
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