About the Sampler

• Estimated Time: 4–5 hours

• Travel Components: Towpath Trail

• Special Interest: Bicyclists

• Starting Point: Cuyahoga Valley National Park

• Ending Point: Summit County

• Cost: Meals Optional

• Submitted By: Nancy Desmond, Interpretive Coordinator, Ohio & Erie Canalway Association

This sampler guides you to a round-trip ride on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to Akron and back. The Towpath Trail through downtown Akron takes you past Canal Park and the Civic Theater, and there are plenty of side trip options to try a new restaurant. Find the round-trip distance that’s right for you!
 

Step by Step

Begin Your Ride

To start, choose any Trailhead in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park — depending on the amount of miles you want to ride. Note that all mileages are approximate. Here are some options offering a variety of ride lengths:

• Station Road Bridge Trailhead: 50 miles round-trip

• Boston Trailhead: 42 miles round-trip

• Lock 29 Trailhead: 38 miles round-trip

• Botzum Trailhead: 24 miles round-trip)

Ride south along the trail. Take some time to read the park signs all along the way to learn about the history and nature of the region.

As you leave the national park, you’ll notice more development, indicating you are entering the Merriman Valley area of Akron. There are plenty of food options here if you get hungry. Follow the Towpath signs to cross back into a wooded area. Now you are in the Big Bend and Sand Run Metro Park Area of the Towpath Trail.
 

Stop at the "Store"

You’ll come out of the woods again at the Mustill Store. This is a great museum of canal life in a historic building. If you’re riding over a weekend, take some time to stop by! As you continue heading south across the street, you will find Cascade Locks Park, which continues telling the story of the industrial roots of Akron.
 

Make Your Way Downtown

Carry on and you will enter the urban environment of downtown Akron. Signs will point you along the Towpath on designated city sidewalks. If you wander slightly off the trail over to Main Street — which also is part of the America’s Byway route — there are a wide variety of restaurants and shops to discover.

Summit Lake

Back on the Towpath Trail, you will soon come to Summit Lake, a diverse ecological site in an urban setting. Stop by Summit Metro Parks' new Summit Lake Nature Center to learn about the wildlife and people that call the neighborhood home, and continue south along the trail to the floating Towpath, where you'll find the most beautiful view of the 100-acre lake.

Our trip turns around at the end of the boardwalk, heading back to our starting point in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Traveler Tips

• We recommend any Towpath ride be done at “off-peak” times — weekdays or early weekend mornings — as the Trail can get very crowded on weekend afternoons.

• Water and restrooms are available at Station Road Bridge, Boston Store and Hunt Farm Trailheads. There’s also a bike shop at Peninsula if you need supplies or repairs.

• Be extra careful negotiating street crossings in downtown Akron and keep any children near you for this section.