| Ohio to Erie Trail | |
|---|---|
| Ohio and Erie Canal Tow-Path Trail, located in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park | |
| Length | 78 mi (126 km)[1] |
| Location | Ohio, United States |
| Designation | Ohio State Bike Route 1 |
| Trailheads | Cincinnati to Cleveland (various) |
| Use | Multi-use |
| Season | Year-round |
The Ohio to Erie Trail is a planned and in-use bike trail system in the U.S. state of Ohio, spanning from Cincinnati in the southwestern corner of the state to Cleveland in the northeast. The trail was founded in 1991 when Ed Honton came up with the idea of converting unused canal and railroad land to hiking and biking paths (see Rail trail). Tom Moffitt is the current president of the Ohio to Erie Trail.
Contents |
In October 2007, John and Nancy Eilerman, a mother and son team from Marion, Ohio were the first to ride the entire trail unsupported. They rode EZ-Sport CX recumbent bicycles from Sun Bicycles and finished the south to north trek in five days. They stayed in Xenia, Worthington, Mt. Vernon, and Massillon.
The trail includes surfaces such as dirt paths, road paths, and paved trail (asphalt or crushed limestone). It is open to bikers, hikers, horseback riders (in some sections), and, in the wintertime, cross country skiers.
The trail is divided into three separate sections:
The trail passes through regional parks, nature preserves, and farmlands, as well as other rural woodland. The trail is planned to be 453 miles (729 km) in length. Of that amount, 262 miles (422 km) are complete and in daily use, 54 miles (87 km) are under construction or in engineering design, and the final 137 miles (220 km) are awaiting final planning, acquisition of land, or funding to do so.