[caption id="attachment_2110" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Towpath Trail in Cuyahoga Valley "][/caption]
Have you been getting into biking this summer? It's a great way to get some exercise, fresh air, and explore more of the city. But if you're a little worried about the traffic and cars driving non-stop, explore the great, wilderness bike paths in Cuyahoga Valley. Afterwords, be sure to stop by the Quarry in Peninsula for a relaxing swim. Read our blog about it here.
Discover the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park by walking, bicycling, or running on the Towpath Trail. You can travel the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal on the same path that mules walked to tow canal boats loaded with goods and passengers. From the trail, you can make connections to many natural and historic sites, as well as to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR). Beyond the park, you can continue your journey on the Towpath Trail further along the Ohio & Erie Canalway.
Download the Towpath Trail map.
The Towpath Trail is open 24 hours, giving you the chance to explore after dark. Within the national park, the trail is level and hard-packed for people using wheelchairs, bicycles, or strollers. To check for potential towpath trail closures, click here.
From April through October, you can bicycle one way and return by train for $2 using CVSR's Bike Aboard! service. You can catch the train at any boarding station and train staff will load your bike onto the train. Schedules are available at boarding stations, visitor centers, and online at www.cvsr.com.
Discovery Along the Trail
Features of the Ohio & Erie Canal abound along the trail. Look for locks that raised and lowered boats through elevation changes and markers that indicate mileage as measured historically. Enjoy indoor exhibits at the Canal and Boston Store visitor centers. As you become familiar with the canal, you will discover its importance as apart of 19th-century transportation infrastructure that connected Ohio to the rest of the settled United States.
Read more at NPS.gov