Ohio & Erie Canalway

 

This towpath trail stretches 90 miles starting in Cleveland, Ohio.  I rode a portion of this trail near Cleveland in late March 2026. The surface that I rode was asphalt paved for about 6 miles then crushed stone. Some of the low spots on the crushed stone section were a bit wet and slippery.

I started at Harvard Ave (41.44687, -81.68240). Along the ride I found the visitor center (41.43043, -81.66242) on a short spur that had better parking. The visitor center is up a short but steep hill from the main trail. It is worth a visit with well-done displays and modern restrooms. I turned around at lock 34 (41.28945, -81.56466) where there was also parking.

The first 6 miles were a typical urban trail. The crushed gravel section reminded me of the C&O Canal perhaps because both fall under National Park Service. There were preserved canal locks, a lock house, a mule statue and plenty of interpretive signs along the way. The was not any camping sites along the section I rode. I enjoy seeing wildlife on my rides and spotted 9 deer on this ride. The highlight for me was seeing a glimpse of a wolf on a remote section on my way back to the car.

 

Get additional information here:

National Park Service

Canalway Partners

Cleveland Metroparks