NPS / DJR Discover the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park by bicycling, running, or strolling on the Towpath Trail. Here 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. Beyond the park, you can continue your journey on the Towpath Trail further along the Ohio & Erie Canalway. History of the TowpathThe Towpath Trail follows the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal. Before the canal was built, Ohio was a sparsely settled wilderness where travel was difficult and getting crops to market was nearly impossible. The canal, built between 1825 and 1832, provided a successful transportation route from Cleveland, on Lake Erie, to Portsmouth, on the Ohio River. The canal opened up Ohio to the rest of the settled eastern United States. To learn more about the Towpath visit Ohio & Erie Canalway. Bike and Hike AboardA ride on Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is a unique way to experience the national park. The train offers roundtrip excursions as well as a one-way shuttle service for bikers, hikers, and paddlers.The Explorer shuttle program is $5 one-way for bikers/hikers/runners and $10 for single-seater kayaks/$15 for double-seater kayaks. Arrive 10 minutes before departure and flag down the train by waving both arms over your head. Pay when boarding the train. Cash is preferred; exact change is appreciated. Make sure to have trailers detached and all items removed from bikes or kayaks before boarding. Find detailed trip planning information and purchase tickets on the CVSR website. For bicycle rentals in and near the park check out Century Cycles. Safety on the TrailThe Towpath Trail is a shared recreational trail. This means it is open to walkers, joggers, and bicyclists, and in some sections, horse riders. To ensure an enjoyable trail experience for all users, please observe some basic trail courtesy.
Distance Along the TrailThe following table lists the approximate distance (in miles) between trailheads and other points of interest along the Towpath Trail in the park.
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Last updated: March 16, 2023