Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Portage Lakes, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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This trail has really gone down hill. Rode it the other day and my wrist hurt for days because of how rough it is. Used to be my favorite trail now it’s barely rideable.
Great scenic country trail. Paved the whole way and no incline.
Rode the trail on 3/8/25 and it has fallen into disrepair the path is littered with debris, the rail between the trail and the cliff is broken with many sections heavily damaged, some parts of the trail surface is beginning to breakup and slide down the hillside. The city of Cleveland has responsibility for the maintenance of this trail according to our council woman but the city has neglected this critical pathway to the lower section of the towpath.
The Zoar Valley Trail (aka the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail) has received a significant improvement. In the past the trail was nothing but a primitive footpath once you headed south from the Zoarville Station Bridge/Rt 800. As of October 31, 2024, you can now take a new, exceptionally well constructed trail the two miles to the Dover Dam. (OK, so it isn’t officially open as of that date but should be any day now.) It is a very scenic ride especially in the Fall. Once you are at the dam you’ll just continue on the existing dam access road that will take you to the end of the trail at Rt. 416 north of New Philadelphia. If you go any further south it will be on well traveled roads with hills and limited line of sights. (I might suggest Rt 800 to New Philadelphia via Dover. It might be longer but at least the road has “share” signs and is relatively flat.) The trick to getting to the improved trail once you cross the Zoarville Station Bridge, again if you are headed south, is to head straight to the metal gate you’ll see a short distance ahead. Do not turn right onto the primitive trail before the gate. Once at the gate you can go around it to the right or simply pull the chain that appears to lock the gate (it isn’t) through the hoops on the gate and open it. Once past the gate keep going straight ahead on the paved road for approximately 150 feet and you’ll see the new trail to the right. I have biked the Ohio & Erie Towpath trail from Cleveland to Rte 800 many times over the years and this new section may very well be one of the nicest.
My family likes to ride this trail together - it is quiet, generally quite well maintained (although can occasionally get a bit muddy in the spring) and is relatively flat and approachable for the family. This was a great find!
We started in Akron and rode about 18 miles north. Loved it!!!
This trail was just recently paved and only has a small crushed stone part near veterans park. It’s a nice trail to get out and walk or run. The crushed stone was easier on the knees but for biking the pavement is really nice.
What a beautiful trail and obviously loved and taken care of by the community. Smooth paving, beautiful scenery, gorgeous covered bridges and benches and washrooms along the way. What a gem! So glad we rode!
Well maintained and cool on hot days. Watch for signs to see the covered bridge and stream just off the trail. Plant off stopping points along the trail with picnic tables and benches. We ride this trail 2 to 3 times a week.
Very nice ride - quiet and scenic. No issues with it overgrown in other reviews My wife and I really enjoyed it- 1 hour ride end to end
We took the dog out in her cart. Trail is a bit tight for a trailer and it’s rough. Probably never will fix because river destroys it when it rains. I thought I was going somewhere new and wife says we have been here before and after seeing the old Zoar bridge I realized I have did this trail many times. Not a lot of people on it so not bad. Dog liked the areas where she could get out and jump in the Tuscarawas River. She’s sleeping now.
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