Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Ohio, 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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The Aurora Trail is a 2.8 mile trail that runs east out of Aurora, Ohio. The Aurora Trail currently runs from East Garfield Road (OH-82) to Chamberlain Rd. The trail opened at the end of June 2025. As you head east out of Aurora you will pass by a number of residential back yards, which during the summer are well hidden by trees and plant growth along the trail. You will also pass by a beaver pond, a fairly large lake, and cross over the Aurora Branch of the Chagrin River. There are two small farms which also back up to the trail. At Chamberlin Road you reach a small industrial area dominated by the Cantex plant.
The surface of the trail is asphalt. There is a nice gravel composite berm on both sides of the trail. This 2.8 mile trail is essentially straight. When it was paved the contractor put some wiggles in the right-of-way apparently to break up the visual straight lines created by the trail. Parking can be found at either end of the trail: in Aurora, at the Paddock River Preserve at 129 Trails End or at the eastern end of the trail at 11433 Chamberlin Road.
The future of this former Cleveland and Mahoning Railroad (Norfolk Southern) rail line is bright. The city of Aurora is planning to extend this trail northwest toward Geauga Lake where they are redeveloping former Midwest Sea World property into a public park called Aurora Park at Geauga Lake. The Portage County Parks District is currently extending the trail east from Chamberlin Road to Diagonal Road in 2026 and plans to complete an off-road connection to the Headwaters Trail in Mantua, Ohio by 2029. West of the planned Aurora Park at Geauga Lake, the City of Solon, Ohio plans on creating a Headwaters Connector Trail upon its portion this abandoned rail line that will run from its central business district to the future Aurora Trail extension. When all the trail building is complete the finished trail would run from Solon to Garrettsville, Ohio.
I really enjoyed cycling this trail. It has some tough hills but the reward is long descents. Mostly shaded. There is a some road time but traffic is light and the roads are nicely paved. Because it is within a state park, speed limits were low and drivers were considerate. The trails are well maintained and the pavement is in good condition. Watch out for horse manure.
Highly recommend this beautiful and well kept trail. Beautiful to ride along the trees and over the 2 epic ohiopyle bridges.
The Solon to Chagrin Falls Trail is a trail being developed between these two communities in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The trail is being developed by the Cleveland Metroparks over a former Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad corridor. Currently, the trail consists of two separate segments: the Solon section and the Chagrin Falls section. What separates them is the Aurora Branch of the Chagrin River. The 1500 foot gap through the Chagrin River floodplain needs to be bridged in order to connect these two sections.
The Solon section opened in October of 2025. It runs eastward from SOM Center Road (OH-91), passing under US-422, crossing Liberty Road and descends into the Chagrin River floodplain between the Dear Run and Glasgow Lane cul-de-sacs. This portion of the trail is a 10 foot wide, paved trail.
The Chagrin Falls section had been open and maintained by the Cleveland Metroparks for quite some time. It starts at Pine Street near the Greenville Inn and heads southwest through the Chagrin Falls Park Community and Bentleyville. It is paved from Pine Street to Rocker Avenue, then changes to gravel and/or grass surface. At South Franklin Street you will find a trail connection to the Geauga County Park District’s Holbrook Hollows Park and access to nearby Franklin Marsh. The Chagrin Falls section of the trail currently ends at Chagrin River Road. Beyond Chagrin River Road you enter into the Chagrin River floodplain gap.
Once Cleveland Metroparks constructs a bridge through the floodplain the two trail segments will be connected. Hopefully, at that point the Chagrin section of the trail will also be paved in its entirety. Deer, birds and other wildlife can be found in abundance between Solon's Liberty Road and Chagrin's South Franklin Street as this area does not have much residential or commercial development.
While there's no real breathtaking scenery along this route, it's a really nice ride. Well maintained, smooth, with a few towns and other places to stop. I did a video of my ride if you're interested in seeing more. https://youtu.be/tIFhje88VpQ
The Pymatuning Valley Greenway is a developing rail trail being built in Ashtabula County, Ohio. Currently, the trail is centered around the village of Andover, Ohio. One portion of the trail runs northeast from the Village Hall on Maple Street to its current end, a trailhead located on Leon Road in Richmond Township. This paved trail is in excellent shape and runs through both woods and open farm fields. I really enjoyed riding this portion of the trail.
The other portion of the trail runs southwesterly from Mill Street to Marvin Road. As of the time of this posting TrailLink implies that you connect to this section of the trail by following an on-street route through town along Maple and Depot Streets. This implies taking the most direct route using N. Main Street (US-6) between Maple and Depot Streets. I would suggest otherwise. From my observation this street is heavily trafficked. There is little, to no berm, and it was obvious that a good number of commercial trucks use this route. My suggestion would be to use residential streets to reach a place to cross US-6. Travel away from N. Main on Maple Street, take a left on Gates Street and another left onto Hickory Street. Cross over N. Main St. at the end of Hickory. Then ride the sidewalk half a block until you reach Depot St. Follow Depot Street which will become Mill Street after you cross over E. Main Street (OH-85). The trailhead will be further down on Mill Street.
The southwest section of the Pymatuning Valley Trail is mostly shaded and runs by the Andover Golf Course, a pond, and one working farm on its way to its current end at Marvin Road. When the trail is extended beyond Marvin Road it will provide access to Ohio and Pennsylvania state parks on the Pymatuning Reservoir. This appears to be the area of the next phases of the trail’s construction. Connecting the trail to the reservoir will definitely increase the trail’s utility and popularity. I look forward to riding this trail again in the future.
I rode a simple out-and-back ride of 1.9 miles on the Wilberforce Switch Trail. This is a connector trail the connects Central State University to the Prairie Grass Trail. It keeps cyclists off the very narrow Wilberforce Switch Road. Students can ride into Xenia, Ohio on the Prairie Grass Trail which is probably a safer alternative than attempting to cycle 3.5 miles along US-42 into Xenia.
While the trail is in good condition, its utility is limited primarily to Central State University students. If you are riding along the Prairie Grass Trail and want to check out the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, located on the CSU campus, then this trail can connect you to the museum.
I rode both portions on a beautiful spring day. The surface on the gravel trail varies from crushed gravel, packed dirt and larger gravel stones. Your experience may vary depending on your tire size and bike, when it was last groomed, and any past nasty weather. Parts are shaded, but expect most to be in the sun, depending on the time of day of course. The northern portion was flat to rolling hills, but (I felt) it would be doable by most riders. The scenery of the lakes in the northern portion was great. The maps were helpful. The southern portion was flatter. I'm glad I saw the bison. I tried to imagine horses on the track as I pedaled along side it. I put in 20 miles doing both sections.
This trail is good for local people and college students and staff to get to various places close to the Ohio Wesleyan University. A few people were using it at mid-day on a Wednesday during April. It was in fairly good condition. Warning lights help with street crossings. I parked in the lot off of S Liberty St and then biked in both directions.
This is by far the worst bike trail we have ever been on! It was extremely bumpy with a combination of small rock, big rocks and grass. This path has no maintenance and is not bike friendly. At best, it is good for horses and walkers. Avoid biking on this trail. It is hazardous and extremely bad!! I would give it a zero if possible!
Rode this trail 20 miles out from Nelsonville thru Athens past the Ohio University Campus. A wide variety of sights with porta-potties, benches, and even drinking fountain and welcome center with clean bathrooms as we entered Athens. Well paved path with abundant wildlife and sites. Want to do it again soon!
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