Ohio to Erie Trail
A 326-mile route links Cincinnati, Columbus, Akron, and Cleveland through rail-trails, canal towpaths, rural roads, Amish country, riverfronts, and city connectors.
Artwork inspired by George Bellows
The Ohio to Erie is a route system, not one continuous purpose-built path. About three quarters is paved trail, while crushed stone, streets, and road connectors remain; surfaces and operator rules change repeatedly. The journey links the Ohio River and Lake Erie while revealing former rail corridors, canal infrastructure, farmland, small towns, suburbs, and four major cities.
Through-riders need current GPS files, not an old overview map. Lodging gaps, Amish-country grades, unpaved northern segments, city navigation, construction detours, and one-way transportation matter more than total mileage. Day users should choose a named component—Little Miami, Camp Chase, Kokosing Gap, Holmes County, or Towpath—and navigate to that trailhead rather than the statewide midpoint shown on the card.
- Route length
- 326 miles
- Paved trail
- About 245 miles
- Endpoints
- Cincinnati and Cleveland
Quick guide
- Download current files
- Connectors and detours change more often than the broad route.
- Audit every surface
- Tire choice must cover pavement, crushed stone, and road shoulders.
How to plan a route made of many trails
- Download current files
- Connectors and detours change more often than the broad route.
- Audit every surface
- Tire choice must cover pavement, crushed stone, and road shoulders.
- Plan nights before miles
- Lodging and food gaps determine realistic stages.
- Name your segment
- Emergency and pickup plans require the local trail name.
Good to know
The map marker is only a statewide orientation point. Do not drive there expecting a trailhead. The route includes roughly 30 miles of road and street travel plus changing construction detours.
Notice these
- Ohio River start
- Central Ohio rail-trails
- Lake Erie finish