Ohio to Erie Trail

{{Infobox hiking trail

| name = Ohio to Erie Trail

| photo = Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail Section.jpg

| caption = Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, located in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park

| location = Ohio, United States

| designation = {{unbulleted list

| {{jct|state=OH|county1=Greene|SBR|1|nolink1=1}}

| {{jct|state=OH|USBR|25}} (Cincinnati)

| {{jct|state=OH|USBR|21}} (Cincinnati–Cleveland)

| {{jct|state=OH|county1=Greene|SBR|3|nolink1=1}} (Cincinnati–Xenia)

| {{jct|state=OH|USBR|50}} (Xenia–Columbus)

| {{jct|state=OH|USBR|44}} (Wooster–Massillon)

}}

| length = {{convert|326|mi|abbr=on}}{{cite web|title=Ohio to Erie Trail|publisher=Ohio Department of Transportation|access-date=2018-08-27|url=http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPR/bicycle/Pages/OTET.aspx}}

| trailheads = Cincinnati to Cleveland (numerous)

| use = Biking, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Jogging, Running

| elev_change =

| highest =

| lowest =

| difficulty =

| season = Year-round

| sights = Numerous sights

| hazards =

| surface = Asphalt, Cement, Concrete, Crushed Limestone, Hard–Packed Earth

| website = {{URL|http://www.ohiotoerietrail.org/}}

}}

The Ohio to Erie Trail is a dedicated multi-use trail crossing Ohio from southwest to northeast, crossing {{convert|326|mi|abbr=on}} of regional parks, nature preserves, and rural woodland.

The trail, named after its endpoints, extends from the Ohio River at Cincinnati to the Lake Erie at Cleveland, primarily integrating former rail trails and multi-use trails into a dedicated trail.

Roughly 85% complete as of early 2023, construction began in 1991, with sections completed as recently as 2022.

Remaining on-road segments, designated as routes, substitute for the as yet undeveloped final sections of fully-segregated, dedicated path.

The trail serves a variety of user types. Non-motorized movement includes:

bicyclists, pedestrians, hikers, and — on certain sections — horse riders or drivers.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2014/04/new_map_helps_bikers_navigate.html|title=New map helps bikers navigate the Ohio To Erie Trail; plus, GOBA deadline approaches|work=cleveland.com|access-date=2018-08-29|language=en-US}} In addition, certain motorized e-bikes are allowed to use the trail.{{cite web | url=https://www.ohiotoerietrail.org/content.aspx?page_id=5&club_id=146576&item_id=85461 | title=Webinar Feb '23 on Exploring the Ohio to Erie Trail by E-bike - Ohio to Erie Trail }}

The surface itself varies, including asphalt, cement, concrete, crushed limestone and hard-packed earth.

History

The Ohio to Erie Trail began in 1991 as an outgrowth of the Ohio Bicycle Advisory Council,{{cite web|title=The Ohio to Erie Trail Inches Towards Completion; Nearly Half of the 462-Mile Trail Linking Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland is Completed.|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+Ohio+to+Erie+Trail+Inches+Towards+Completion%3B+Nearly+Half+of+the...-a070867213|website=The Free Library|access-date=2018-08-29}} and was envisioned that year by Edward Franklin Honton, a former Franklin County engineer, who subsequently founded and served as president of a non-profit organization dedicated to developing the trail.{{cite web|title=2018 Marks the 27th year of a Vision taken to Action|url=http://www.ohiotoerietrail.org/history/|website=Ohio to Erie Trail|access-date=2018-08-29}} After his death in 2005, his legacy continued through the organization he founded, The Ohio to Erie Trail Fund. The historic Bridgeview Bridge was dedicated in Honton's memory at the opening of the Alum Creek Trail near Innis Park on July 15, 2011.{{cite web|title=Dedication of Ed Honton Bridge|url=http://www.fmcpt.com/05-PhotoGallery/53-Honton-AlumCreek/53-HontonBridge01.html|website=Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails|access-date=2018-08-29}} The bridge is a fully restored 1902 structure which originally carried Beach Road and Lucas Road over the Big Darby Creek.

Path

The trail is divided into four separate sections:

Northern leg: Cleveland to Massillon
Heart of Ohio leg: Massillon to Mount Vernon
Central Ohio leg: Mount Vernon to London
Southern leg: London to Cincinnati

The trail passes through regional parks, nature preserves, and other rural woodland. The trail is planned to be {{convert|326|mi}} in length. Of that number, {{convert|267|mi}} are complete and in daily use, {{convert|59|mi}} are either under construction or in engineering design, as of Nov 2016.{{cite web |title=OTET Route on City Streets & Urban Roads by Region Street and Road Guides 11_23_16 |url=http://ohiotoerietrail.org/assets/uploads/2015/08/Street-and-Road-Guides-11_23_16.pdf |access-date=2018-08-29}}

By the end of 2022 the Ohio to Erie Trail will have over 90% dedicated bike trails and 3.6% streets and 5.9% rural roads. Of the remaining 31 miles of off trail riding 17 of those miles are on the Fredericksburg to Dalton road section through the scenic Amish countryside. [Ohio to Erie Trail Newsletter, Spring 2022.

References

External links

[http://www.ohiotoerietrail.org Ohio to Erie Trail: Official website]
[https://www.traillink.com/trail/ohio-to-erie-trail/ Ohio to Erie Trail: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Trail Link]
[http://junior.apk.net/~jurczyk/ohiotoerie/ Original Ohio to Erie Trail website]
[http://ohiotoerietrail.org/product/2017maps/ Ohio to Erie Trail Paper Map]
[http://www.ohiotoerietrail.org/product/a-path-through-ohio/ A Path Through Ohio, Second Edition]

Category:Bike paths in Ohio

Category:Hiking trails in Ohio

Category:Central Ohio Greenways

Category:Rail trails in Ohio

Category:State parks of Ohio

Category:Greenways

Category:Protected areas of Hamilton County, Ohio

Category:Protected areas of Clermont County, Ohio

Category:Protected areas of Warren County, Ohio

Category:Protected areas of Greene County, Ohio

Category:Protected areas of Clark County, Ohio

Category:Transportation in Hamilton County, Ohio