LOCAL TRAILS
Northeast Ohio has lots to offer when it comes to bike trails. Here are just a few of our very favorites.
Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail
Stretching from Cleveland to Zoarville (and eventually New Philadelphia), the 90+ miles of this trail follows the route of the historic Ohio & Erie Canal, where from 1827 to 1913, mules towed canal boats carrying passengers and goods. Today, the Towpath travels through five preserves in the National Heritage Area and in 2015 was voted "Best of Ohio Bike Trail" by readers of Ohio Magazine. As one of the Towpath's 49 trailheads, our Lake Avenue location offers parking, heated restrooms, and drinking water.
The Towpath's surface is fairly flat and alternates between asphalt and crushed limestone. We recommend a helmet, and a bell to let other riders know when you're passing.
Ohio To Erie Trail
The OTET, as it's usually called, spans the entire state of Ohio, from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. The 326-mile route, mostly on canal paths and rail-trails, presents a full range of Ohio sights: major cities and beautiful farmland, historic small towns and Amish country. Our Lake Avenue location is a common stop for OTETers, and while the route is great for riding in portions, the "326 Club" of riders who've completed the entire trail is rapidly growing!
The route's surface is variable, with more details available in the links below or in the OTET trail maps available for sale in our stores. We recommend a helmet, and a bell to let folks know when you're passing.
Quail Hollow
Designed by mountain bikers, Quail Hollow is the perfect trail for the beginner to intermediate MTB rider. A 3.10-mile loop of flowing and tight single track travels through beautiful Ohio woodlands and features rock gardens, bridges, inclines, and declines.
The natural surface means that you'll need to watch for ruts and slick mud. We HIGHLY recommend a helmet and a bike with a suspension fork, gearing, and mid- to wide tires.
Sippo Valley Trail
Part of the former Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad bed, this 10-mile trail runs along Sippo Creek between Massillon and Dalton. It also links up with the Towpath Trail on the west side of Tremont Avenue in Massillon. You'll cross several wooden bridges and enjoy some gorgeous vistas of rural Ohio.
Apart from a steep but short incline riding into Massillon, the trail is flat to gently graded, and the surface shifts from asphalt to crushed limestone between Skyland and Deerfield Avenues. As on the Towpath, we recommend a helmet and a bell. If you're riding from Massillon, reward yourself with ice cream at the Dalton Dariette!
Holmes County Trail
In our opinion, the best way to see Amish country is on your bike! The Holmes County Trail runs from Fredericksburg to Killbuck, a distance of 15 miles, with an additional 7.5-mile section between Glenmont and Brinkhaven. You'll pass by beautiful untouched wetlands and some of the most picturesque farmland in Ohio. This was the first recreational trail in the United States built to accommodate Amish buggies, and buggy paths parallel most of the route.
The Holmes County Trail is fully asphalt and alternates between flat and steadily graded terrain. Bring your helmet, and your bell to let others know you're coming!
Conotton Creek Trail
The Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway once transported coal, ore, wool, and even soldiers along this corridor of rolling hills and pastures. Now, cyclists can follow that route on the hidden gem that is the Conotton Creek Trail. Stretching from Bowerston to Jewett, this 11.2-mile trail is a serene route past beautiful farmland and historic small towns, with five covered bridges along the way.
Conotton Creek Trail is mostly flat with a few rolling hills. It's paved, but can be bumpy in places. We recommend a helmet, and a bell to let others know you're coming.
Middle Branch Trail
Named because it follows the path of the middle branch of Nimishillen Creek in Canton, the Middle Branch Trail is a 7-mile escape into nature. Look for wildlife as you ride along this route that passes through several Canton city parks as well as Gervasi Vineyards. If you want to extend your ride, you can also access the Hoover Trail and the Pioneer Trail from Middle Branch.
This crushed-limestone trail is mostly flat. It's popular, especially on warm-weather weekends, so we recommend a helmet, and a bell to let others know you're passing.
Hoover Trail
The pleasant suburban Hoover Trail in North Canton is the site of many easy neighborhood rides, including some of our shop rides. The 5.4-mile trail passes by parks and baseball fields, with one terminus at North Canton's historic Hoover District. The trail also connects via tunnel to the longer Middle Branch Trail.
The Hoover Trail is mostly crushed limestone with a flat grade, making it a great choice for young families. We recommend a helmet, and a bell to let other riders know when you're passing.
Blackhand Gorge Trail
The only bike trail in Ohio's state nature preserve system, the Blackhand Gorge Trail traverses just over four miles of the stunning sandstone gorge carved by the Licking River near Newark. The gorge was named for a Native American petroglyph that was destroyed by dynamite during the building of the Ohio & Erie Canal in 1828. You'll catch glimpses of the canal locks and towpath on your ride, but nature rules the roost again along this verdant trail.
The Blackhand Gorge is paved and flat, a great family ride. Bring your helmet, and a bell to let other riders know you're coming.
Camp Tuscazoar
We love Camp Tuscazoar! Founded by Boy Scouts, this century-old, 600-acre camp is home to cabins and campsites, hiking trails and horse trails, and some great mountain biking. The multiple MTB loops winding through these forests and hills span a range of technical difficulty, so newcomers and experts alike will find something to ride.
You'll encounter lots of hills and rocky terrain here. We HIGHLY recommend a helmet and a bike with a suspension fork, gearing, and mid- to wide tires.
New Phila Skate Park
Not a trail exactly, but a serious local source of fun on two wheels (or four). The New Philadelphia Skate Park, located in Tuscora Park, boasts separate sections for BMX riders and skateboards. Highlights include a ten-foot vert wall, a large funbox, lots of 5-1/2 quarter ramps, and a rhythm section. This park is free, open late, and often host to a few Ernie's staff members.
This free park is all-outdoor, with a mixture of riding surfaces. We recommend a helmet, kneepads, and elbow pads along with your board or bike.
Little Beaver Creek
Between Lisbon and Leetonia runs the 12-mile Little Beaver Creek Greenway, a rail-trail that parallels both the old Erie Lackawanna Railroad and the scenic creek it's named after. Once you arrive in Leetonia, we highly recommend taking a side trip to visit the Cherry Valley Coke Ovens, where you'll see the remnants of 200 coke ovens built in 1866.
The asphalt-paved trail gently inclines as you ride north. Bring your helmet, and your bell to let others know you're coming.