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We have ridden all the sections before but decided to ride it end-to-end and make a century ride out of it.
We parked a vehicle at Ft. Laurens near Bolivar and a friend drove us up to Lock 39 trailhead off Rockside Road in Independence. From there we rode north to the end of the path at Harvard Road. The route continues north with short sections of bike path intermixed with city streets but we opted to stay off the streets. Turning and heading south the bike path is paved for 6 miles until it enters the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
A couple of recent developments: The section in Akron between memorial park and Mustill Store is closed for construction of the Interceptor Tunnel (a MASSIVE sewer project). The detour is well marked but it goes up a very steep (but short) hill from N-S.
Between Exchange and Cedar in downtown Akron the path is open even though there is a signed detour but it is one lane so ride slow.
There is a new section of path to get off SR212 coming into Bolivar. You have to ride about 0.3 miles on SR212 from McConnel trailhead to reach the new path at the ballfields.
From Ft. Laurens down to SR800 the path is well graded with a fine crushed stone surface. It is narrow in many places - ranging from 3-5' wide. I would recommend riding the old bridge over the Tuscarawas River to Zoar Village (about 0.6 miles each way. Its a historic distric that was a communal village in the 1800's with many original structures.
At SR800 it is possible to pick up the Zoar Valley Trail to continue to Dover/New Philadelphia. There are bike lanes on either sides with crossing flashers which were recently installed. The Zoar Valley Trail is about 0.3 miles east of the OETP. However the trail is a loose river gravel surface better suited to hiking or mountain biking. We decided to ride a few hundred yards on this trail and turn around at the Zoarsville Station Bridge and return to our car at Ft. Laurens instead of struggling on to the Dover Dam.
A couple of other interesting things - There are lots of places to eat and more importantly get ice cream along the trail. The fruit sundae at Szalays Farm Market on Bolanz Road is my favorite. Plus several bike shops. The visitor centers and gift shops of the Cuyahoga Valley NP give you a chance to stretch your legs. I always lock my bike when its out of sight so I make it a habit to always take my lock.
This trail also passes Wastewater Treatment plants in Cleveland, Akron, Barberton, and Massillon so thats just one more bonus.
Wildlife is plentiful depending on the season. Bald Eagles, deer, turtles (sliders and snappers), woodchucks, otters, mink, beaver Canada Geese (with their fuzzlings this time of spring), ducks, great blue herons (who have a rookery off Bath Road). A few years ago semi-professional Bigfoot Hunters were setting wildlife cameras for Grassman - Ohios variation so you may get lucky with a Bigfoot spotting.
Check into the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic RR which offers a Bike Aboard service to let you and your bike ride one way for a few dollars.
We rode this trail because of all the 5 star reviews. Our experience was definitely different. The trail is flat, boring, and exceedingly overgrown, and, there are too few comfort stations. The only bright spots were the towns along the trail and some of the eating and drinking establishments in these towns. We will not return.
The trail could use a little better marking. I never missed a turn by much, but I did miss several as you could not always tell which way to go at a fork. Pretty level and we'll paved. I rode the north and south sections in one ride. I usually don't like to go on a road, but the short road section had no cars in it.
In April 2017 a friend and I rode the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway from west of Athens to Nelsonville (about 12 miles each way). The trail is paved and generally good (occasional bumps from roots). Route is shaded and follows the Hocking River with mile markers every half mile. Bluebells and trillium were putting on a show - thanks to the folks who planted them! At Nelsonville the trail peters out - would be nice to have directional sign to Fullbrook Cafe or other eateries. Bring hydration as nowhere to stop in between towns.
I rode only the northern end (Huber Heights to Piqua and back approx. 60 mi) and found it to be quite scenic and interesting ride. Surface generally in good shape and smooth. The southern portion of my trip, especially in Montgomery county was well signed and easy to follow where the trail diverts and how far to the next notable trailheads. The middle section (especially around Troy) was very poorly signed and more than once did I need to double back to find where the trail continued. The trail is marked every 1/4 mile, so in theory if you go on too far without the next mileage mark, you should wonder if you strayed, but that's not a reliable system. I particularly note the lack of signage at the Eldean covered bridge about the trail crossing the street and going behind a baseball diamond as an example. Signage picked up somewhat around Piqua.
The loop around Piqua made the perfect turning spot and provided many interesting sights throughout town.
Rode it in its entirety today before too many trees have many leaves. Surface is in good/great shape, especially notable in Madison County (north). A cross wind was very noticeable both directions as there is very little to stop a breeze. Also very little to shade the trail and an early case of sunburned arms as a result. Few rest areas and water/bathroom stops --only in London, S. Charleston, Cedarville and Xenia, so be well stocked.
This is a very straight trail with a deceiving incline heading north. The bad part is on a road bike it will beat you up. Lots of roots, potholes and grade variances
No, the Great Miami River Trail DOES NOT run from Piqua all the way south to Fairfield.
It comes to a dead halt at Middletown, and then picks up again in Hamilton, going south. That's a major gap, with no clear, safe way to bridge it.
It's a fine trail. I've ridden it often. It's particularly pretty along the river from north of Dayton to south of Piqua.
Road this trail today. We will be back in the fall. This trail is now 11 miles long. This is a very well maintained trail. The trail is nice and wide. The WCI Biking Division has voted to put this on our honorable mention northern Ohio Rail Trail list. It was interesting to watch a controlled burn of the Brambles to the north. Luckily the wind blew the smoke away from the trail. WCI co-founder Rod was very impressed with the farmlands.
The condition of this trail is pretty bad for inline skaters. I've been hoping for years that they would repave it. There is a hill where a part of the path is actually sunken in/missing, totally dangerous. Yes, it is a beautiful path for biking, running and walking, but not for inline skating.
Very gradual elevations both directions, great scenery, well kept trail. Highly recommend.
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