Ohio Erie Trail
 

A friend who lives in Columbus and I (who live in MD) plan to do a 4 or 5 day ride from Cleveland to Columbus or Xenia OH in May. We've got the maps from the Ohio to Erie Trail organization but also want to download digital map info to our Wahoo Elemnt bike computers.

I've found a 2014 RideWithGPS file by someone who did the trail back then but I think there have been significant changes since then. Anyone know of .gpx or other standard downloadable digital versions of the Ohio to Erie Trail?

Thanks, John P.

Agreed: we need gpx of route
 

I don't have a current gpx file and I share your frustration, since I'm planning to ride the entire route, solo, this summer, and like you, all I can find are older gpx files that include whatever detours the file uploader might have taken. I'll have the current paper maps as backup, but I hate fiddling with maps. Also, the route might have changed a bit since last printing. I suspect that various rail trail organizations choose not to offer gpx downloads since they need money raised by selling paper maps and paper trail books, which include paid advertisements. The paper trail book and paper map paradigm must change to address tech-oriented riders' needs.

No current GPX for Ohio to Erie trail?
 

The lack of responses to the OP's question and to mine from last year make me think that nobody has a current GPX file to share. This is baffling. If a branch of Ohio government oversees this trail, or if a private organization is in charge, they would benefit by freely sharing a GPX file, to promote bicycle tourism on the trail. This seems like a major unmet need.

My wife and I rode from Kettering to Kent last Spring as a shake down ride. I have that route on Ride with GPS. Send me a PM if interested.
I have ridden it before in both directions and the paper maps from the trail organization worked well.

I know there's some construction in a few places. Just north of downtown Akron is detoured briefly. It's not well marked though. I also just learned of bridge work being done north and south of lock 29/Peninsula area til June. I'm unaware of the detour status on that section.

The Rail-to-Trails Conservancy (Traillink) also has gpx tracks downloadable with a membership. Doesn't cost much & supports rail-trails in general.

https://www.traillink.com/trail-maps...to-erie-trail/

Tandem Tom..I assume your track is the one that's 357.8 miles long?

Anybody know if the traillink gpx is kept current? I suppose detours and temporary road closures are probably pretty well marked, but I'd hate to attempt to follow an out-of-date GPX file since the route seems to be undergoing continuous tweaks and minor revisions.

I'm not Traillink member, but what you can see of that map shows big gaps from Dalton to Fredericksburg and Killbuck to Gann.

I'm interested in the date of the .gpx file and if it really has those gaps before I pay $30 to join - anyone know?

I queried the Ohio to Erie Trail associations about online map files, they replied they were not aware of any.

Tom's track on Ride with GPS looked pretty good and complete. Why not go with that?

The traillink track looks the same as what google-maps "bicycling" option shows. The gaps look to be where dedicated trail dumps on to local-rural roads..the "bicycle-friendly" road-route is also shown in the google maps "bicycling" option...and I'd guess what Tom did.

Toss in maps.me offline maps for a reality check from your phone...or open your route in maps.me for real-time updates.

The trail association probably knows if there are any major issues. Minor issues are..well..minor.

Seems pretty well nailed.

If there's any major hurdles..that's where the good stories come from.

Our ride is still on for mid-May. I have Tandem Tom's route but since we will be starting in Cleveland, I have created a RideWithGPS route for Cleveland to Akron from the latest info I could find - you can see/download it here.

Weather could still postpone the ride, but once we do it I'll upload the entire Cleveland to Columbus route to Strava and RideWithGPS.

John P.

Looks good John...it's going to be a nice ride. The weather is finally starting to get normal-ish. I use RideWithGPS quite a bit with either searching for routes or creating-adding my own routes in. You might want to put 'Ohio Erie Trail' in your RWGPS map title as others searching for a route will find it easier with a keyword-search. I look forward to your update on the experience.

Good point on naming the routes, will do that.

The CycleBlaze jounal I've started can be viewed here. We'll probably upload pictures and captions during the ride but won't do the text until after.

Is your route similar to the buckeye trail route (Cincinnati to Cleveland)?
Buckeye Trail Bicycle Route - BIKEPACKING.com

there is a GPX and interactive map on that link.

That's originally a hiking trail, that partially uses roads.
Heh, rated (for them) :Sarah and Tom Swallow like epic unpaved tours.

Their Trans America Trail report.

More offroad routes here!

I think that is more of a hiking/mountain bike route and goes well west of Columbus, we will be on the Ohio to Erie Trail which is paved rail trail and some paved roads.

Keep in mind the bridges that are out in the Peninsula area until June. I haven't been over there yet to know of posted detour signs. I just watched a recent YT video of someone doing the similar Cleve-Akron trip, and they mentioned having to backtrack for the detour that he wasn't aware of. I would imagine you would have to take Boston Mills RD (West) to Riverview Road (South) for about 5 miles to Bolanz Road to get back on the Towpath. To my knowledge Riverview Road is "bicycle friendly".

Below is from Cuyahoga Valley National Park Services about the closures.
Trail Closures:
Sections of Towpath Trail Closed For Replacement of Four Bridges

1. Boston Store Pedestrian Bridge, just south of Boston Store Visitor Center

• No south-bound traffic from Boston Store
• No access to Boston Store from Lock 29
• No through traffic. Anyone heading northbound will need to turn around at the closure.
• There will be not access from the overflow lot as construction equipment will be stationed there.
• No through traffic on the Valley and Buckeye Trails

2. Trail Bridge #4 , just south of Deep Lock Quarry

• No south-bound traffic from Deep Lock Quarry

3. Trail Bridge #5 , between Deep Lock Quarry and Furnace Run at Hunt House.
4. Furnace Run Bridge, just north of Hunt House

• No northbound traffic from Hunt House

I've been wanting to get to the Towpath to do certain portions, but I'm waiting for this all to clear up in June.

BTW Most of the towpath south of Rockside road til at least Akron is crushed limestone.

Enjoy your ride. Look forward to reading about your experience.

Wow - thanks for that info. The OTET site had an item about 4/15 flooding of the Cuyahoga Valley systems, but nothing about the bridge closures!

Update - found a YouTube video (maybe same one KarmaJack saw) of a guy who just did Cleveland to Akron and looks like the road detour is not too bad, but he also found another detour just outside of Akron.

Also, found the Ohio Bikeways map here that seems to have the best information on closures and other relevant trail information for a lot of the OTET route.

Looks like we'll have another 10 miles or so of road vs. trail.

No problem. While not as scenic, taking Riverview Road should shave off just a bit of time, as well as being a smoother surface. That trail is one of my favs in the region. Mostly for it's length and scenery. I've only done from Harvard Ave to Lock 3 in DT Akron so far. I plan to explore more southern reaches this season. I'm anxious for the phases up near Cleveland to get finished as well.

Right before you reach DT Akron, there's construction and a detour there, but it looks like you got that part mapped out fine. There's a nasty couple hills there on that detour on Hickory Street.

Are you taking a pitt stop at that Hilton in Akron? Near to that, there's a Courtyard Marriott that's a quarter mile off the trail from the Beech Street Trailhead. It's shortly after that Hickory Street detour. Pricing seems similar to the Hilton. There's a bike shop basically right across the street from there. As well as restaurants. I only mention it because it's closer to the trail. Seems more convenient.

Also, here's an interactive map that might be of use to you. Not sure if you know of it or not. It's handy for finding restrooms, water, nearby attractions, shops, restaurants, and lodging that are on (or not far off) the trail.

My friend Rick did the lodging reservations - the Courtyard Marriott in Akron was our first choice but there was some reason why we ended up at the Comfort Inn. Does seem like the Comfort Inn is only close to fast foods!

I had found that CanalWasy interactive map, thanks - it had the best information of any of them.

The gap between Killbuck and Gann (also known as Brinkhaven) is much smaller now. The trail is now paved from Glenmont to Brinkhaven and it's one of the most scenic parts of the route. It follows a railroad right-of-way and if you're wondering how trains managed to go up and down the hills it was by having pusher engines to assist . The 7.4 miles on rt 520 between Killbuck and Glenmont is flat, in a scenic valley, and you'll be able to count the number of cars on one hand. Use the other hand to count Amish buggies.

Thanks for the info! Years ago (more than 20) Rick and I did a 2 day charity ride in that area, I think we stayed the night at Kenyon College outside Mt. Vernon. I remember the Amish area and beautiful cycling.

Rain Delay - a stationary front moved into the OH/PA region, changing the weather forecast to rain and thunderstorms pretty much every day of our planned trip. We have the flexibility to try again another time, so we've postponed the trip.

We'll still try to get some bicycling in during the weekend in the Dayton/Xenia area, when the weather may clear. If the front decides to move one way or the other, I might still drive out earlier and we'll add more biking but right now the score is Weather Gods 1 Wimpy Tourist Cyclists 0...

We salvaged one day of the trip, the Mt. Vernon OH to Columbus leg - write-up here.

Ohio to Erie Trail GPX files
 

Ohio to Erie Trail has the GPX files as of September 2018. It is on the ohiotoerietrail dot org website under CycleLifeHQ resource. (I am new, so I am not permitted to post the direct link.)

I also live in Columbus and will be doing the entire Ohio to Erie trail (Cleveland to Cinci), starting on June 1. I will give an update on conditions after I finish it for others hoping to do it later this summer.

Did you do your ride? I'm grateful to have easy access to the Ohio to Erie trail nearby my house (the Heart of Ohio Trail section). I've done from Columbus to Fredericksburg. Toying with doing the south half from Cinci maybe later this summer, and maybe the whole trail next year. Not really sure though depends on days off. Its just too hard to dedicate multiple days to a bike ride for me.. most of my vacation time is spent out of state. Something more than 2 days I need to plan a year out lol.

It seems every year or two they are paving new sections, its really progressing. When I moved into the area in 2008 none of the Heart of Ohio Trail was paved, but now its almost complete just 1 mile gap remains and I believe they have plans to complete it soon as well as the continuation of the trail in Delaware County, they just went through and cleared the brush east of Sunbury on the old railbed.

Yes, I did. I meant to provide an update but forgot. My mate and I departed Edgewater Park in Cleveland on the morning of June 1 and finished in downtown Cincinatti around lunchtime on June 5. It was a wonderful ride, especially the Cleveland to Columbus sections. There are a few odd detours in the Akron area as there is still some work being done but I think we did a grand total of about 45 miles on roads, mostly in Amish country where there were no cars around anyway (the best part of the whole trip in my opinion). Nearly all of the trail ride was on well maintained dedicated bike trails. We went pretty slow, stopping at 1-2 breweries each day (look for the free "Ohio on Tap" smart phone app!) and generally taking our time seeing the sights. I plan on doing the whole thing again over 3 days in November with a lighter setup and more speed, planning to average about 115 miles per day.

My house is right off the trail where Galloway Road intersects the Camp Chase Trail SW of Columbus so we stayed there on night 3. We camped in Massilon, Danville, and Morrow for the other three nights. The only hiccup we had was a wrong turn at the start of our day 2 in Massilon where we continued to follow the Erie Canal towpath instead of veering off towards Apple Creek. It was about an hour before we realized our mistake so that day ended up being about 85 miles. Here are my Strava entries for each day:

Ohio-to-Erie trail day one (Cleveland to Massillon) - https://www.strava.com/activities/2415754758
Ohio-to-Erie trail day two (Massillon to Danville) - https://www.strava.com/activities/2419077980
Ohio-to-Erie trail day three (Danville to Galloway) - https://www.strava.com/activities/2421371963
Ohio-to-Erie trail day four (Galloway to Morrow) - https://www.strava.com/activities/2424148786
Ohio-to-Erie trail day five (Morrow to Cincinnati) - https://www.strava.com/activities/2426010637

Here are a few pictures from the trip: https://photos.app.goo.gl/pecGXiLAzsmoFR5H6

Let me know if you have any questions, I am happy to share details or provide some advice. The ride from Columbus to Cinci is VERY flat and honestly, kind of boring. It is probably the easiest 120 miles you will ever do. If you are going to do just 1 day on the trail, I recommend the section between Akron and Columbus as the best part of the OTET.

Thanks for the update, and sharing pics @Jeremiesmith77 Kudus for whichever one of you using the old school bike too, that's my style lol.

I've heard the southern half is very flat and boring. One reason I'd like to do that first, and work up to the more exciting stuff.

I don't know if I'll do the southern half this year or not... my vacation plans have changed a bit with my Mom recently retiring, se we have made a lot of plans out of state. But maybe next year, or perhaps the whole thing.

My biggest concerns are about the road portions... as I mainly cycle the trails I am not fond of roads especially in the cities. I don't mind backroads, I've gotten quite used to the many gaps around my stretch of the trail but I'm a bit nervous about Cleveland. How bad is it from the end of the trail through the downtown parts to the lake? I assume I'll want to actually go to the proper end on the lake... also really want to visit Great Lakes Brewing and likely nearby lodging. Seems like the biggest gap is from Dalton to Fredericksburg, how are those roads?

Great update Jeremie. Thanks for the Strava data too. Very helpful. I haven't hit any of the towpath this season yet. Good to know Akron is still detoured. I very much don't like that southbound hill at the Hickory ST detour.

I've been very curious of the Edgewater park to Harvard road area. I know they've been working on sections up there. Is there good and clear signage directing you? Were the roads there that busy? Decent curb space. Like Stew, I'm not fond of roads. But if it's not bad, I can tolerate it for a time. I've been wanting to try that stretch next, then a portion from downtown Akron on south for some odd miles. I'm far off from doing over night sessions. More like 25 mile jaunts for now.