Find the top rated birding trails in Vermilion, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We started in Akron and rode about 18 miles north. Loved it!!!
Not sure what the September reviews are talking about. Rode this trail today from route 97 to Mansfield and back, for 21 miles. We had no scary issues. A few bumps. Awesome crisp fall day. The fences were in place to protect from going into a deep ravines. We would ride this trail again. Not on a Sunday because the nearby Der Dutchman restaurant was closed. ¿
We started off at the trail head in Mansfield. Was not going to park my car in that neighborhood. Ended up driving to Butler and working our way back. Was kinda cool in the start seeing some crop dusters type planes getting ready to take off. Trail was in decent shape, had dog in trailer and was hoping for some water to let her swim, was 85 degrees. There was a blue bridge, maybe Belleville but the little park we could have stopped at said Private Property so we tracked on. We ended up going the whole trail and when we arrived back close to Mansfield we decided to turn around when I started seeing barbed wire on fence. It was pretty open in many areas and very hot. Some cool looking buildings but some really dangerous intersections and 90% of drivers will not stop for you. No intention return to this trail but can say we completed.
We rode the trail from Butler to the trails end in Mansfield (slightly uphill). Shady for the most part…, with a blend of countryside to Urban all along the way. There were several places along the way to stop and take breaks (if needed). There are numerous places where the road crossings were dangerous, due to the volume of traffic.
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
Annual "we travel 150+ miles to get to this one" ride. Staying nearby and adding other outdoor activities as well while in the area.
Always a great ride on this trail! We parked in Fremont and headed West towards Elmore. Very little shade between Fremont and Elmore, some shade towards the Fremont end, otherwise, once you get moving, heading West, it's farmlands after farmlands and fields of crops including corn and soybeans. Wide open fields, a beautiful area.
Lindsey is the first small old railroad town. Parking, picnic shelter, playground and a bike self repair fix-it station. Lindsey is the home of Luckey Farms.
There was a detour between Lindsey and Elmore where the trail goes under the Ohio turnpike. Follow the easy detour on back country roads. The only traffic was a tractor with a brush hog.
Elmore is the next old railroad town. Parking at Orly Park, and old historic log cabin, picnic tables and playground. Across from the trail is a bike shop and an ice cream stand. We actually found 3 places to eat in Elmore, and one offered outdoor seating. We ate where the outdoor seating was and got our water bottles refilled as well.
Heading west, we weren't sure how far the trail went since the last time we turned around at Elmore. Just out of Elmore the trail crosses the Portage River. Down below there we several large rocks and a dead log and we must of counted 30 turtles basking in the sun.
We continued out of Elmore through more open farmlands and about one tree offering shade. The trail ended at South Martin Williston Road but continued as part of the trail. Less than a mile on that road, not much traffic, and it comes out onto Route 51. Very new, perhaps less than a year old, a trail along side of Route 51 and winds through another field you can see the Genoa water tower. Follow this new section for a few miles into Genoa. The trail actually ends there on Washington Street, There isn't much in Genoa. But outside of town on the main highway there is a fast food restaurant.
Genoa is another old historic town. At the end of the trail was an ice cream stand. Parking at the Genoa end at the Veterans Park. There was also a bike repair stand, picnic areas and a rest room (seasonal). The trail sign in Genoa read "Elmore 5 miles, Fremont 18".
All in all, a great ride from Fremont to Genoa and back, 36 mile round trip. Trail surface is asphalt paved in very good condition.
We took a side trip up to Lake Erie and visited Marblehead Lighthouse across from Cedar Point. Marblehead is the oldest working lighthouse on all of the Great Lakes. The tower is open for climbing, seasonal, but the park is open year around.
Nice ride love the trail from DeBussey road into Norwalk. There are some signage issues so know your route, We ended up adding a few extra miles cause there is no sign pointing you to Lilles road heading west. And another signage issue heading east on Onan road there is a sign on the road but nothing before the turn, So if you not looking east on Onan you’ll miss it!
We ( recumbent trike & e-bike) headed West from the Kiwanis park. Turned around after 9km as the surface was really tough on the trike. There’s 2 good wheel tracks for bikes, but the trike had to ride partially in the coarse trail ballast. Scenic area with farm views and a huge windmill farm in the distance.
This could be a great trail. We went north to Fredericksburg from Millersburg. The trail was smooth for the first 5 miles, then got rough. It is shared with horses and had droppings on both sides. There is no restrooms north of Millersburg.
If you park at the old rail depot in monroeville off SR 99 you can ride 4.8 miles east to downtown Norwalk. Our favorite restaurant is the freight house.
The trail itself is pretty nice. Signage leading into and in Elyria is abysmal. You’re on a bike in traffic and at intersections, you shouldn’t have to study where to turn.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!