5-Day Ohio to Erie Trail Immersive Bike Tour Adventure

Please meet at the Crowne Plaza Cleveland Airport Hotel at 8am. From there, shuttle to the trailhead at the Ariel-Foundation Park in Mount Vernon. You get your first bit of history before even getting on your bike, as the park was once the site of a glass manufacturing plant. Visit the river of glass and climb to the top of the 140-foot observation tour to get the lay of the land before you head off on your bike. Not far into the ride, you follow alongside the beautiful Kokosing River. Stop for lunch in Danville before biking the Mohican Valley Trail to the Bridge of Dreams, which was built in the 1920s for the railroad. At 370 feet in length, the bridge is the second longest covered bridge in Ohio, and the third longest in the country. For the remainder of today’s ride, you cycle through Amish Country as you pedal along the Holmes County Trail, the first recreational trail designed to accommodate horse-powered buggies in addition to cyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians. End the day in Millersburg, and walk to a nearby restaurant for a group dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Millersburg
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 42 miles ( kilometres)
Elevation Gain: 1,215 feet ( metres)
Terrain: Intermediate 

After breakfast, continue on the Holmes County Trail, pedaling through the Amish communities of Holmesville and Fredericksburg. Holmes County has the second largest population of Amish residents in all of the United States, so you’re guaranteed to see lots of buggies. Keep your eyes peeled, as you might even see a Mennonite darting by on an e-bike! Past Fredericksburg, you ride on quiet, rural roads through quaint Amish farmland. After enjoying a picnic lunch, pick up the Sippo Valley Trail and follow it straight into Massillon. Before checking into the hotel, take a group tour of the Massillon Museum, known for its art and history. Dine together this evening a few blocks away at Kozmo’s Grille.
Accommodation: Hampton Inn (Massillon)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 38 miles (61 kilometres)
Elevation Gain: 1,325 feet (403 metres)
Terrain: Intermediate 

After a hearty buffet breakfast, start riding directly from the hotel, following the scenic Tuscarawas River. All of today’s riding is on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, which was constructed parallel to the river in the late 1820s. For decades, the canal and towpath were used to transport goods and passengers. Severe flooding in 1913, however, damaged the canal beyond repair. It wasn’t until 1993 that the towpath was officially established as a trail. Consider stopping for a morning treat in historic Canal Fulton, but don’t eat too much, as lunch is a mere 10 miles further down the trail. In the afternoon, take a two-hour train ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad to get a sneak peak at the national park you visit tomorrow. After returning from your rail adventure, you’re on your own for dinner. There are a number of tasty restaurants all within walking distance from the hotel. In the evening, stay close to home and take a dip in the pool or go out and explore Akron – “Rubber Capital of the World,” the center of airship development, and home to NBA star LeBron James.
Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott (Akron Downtown)
Meals: Breakfast

Biking: 30 miles (48 kilometres)
Elevation Gain: 435 feet (132 metres)
Terrain: Easier

After filling up on a delicious breakfast at The Bistro, cycle directly from the hotel on the final stretch of the trail north toward Lake Erie. Continuing on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath, cycle through 20 miles of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. As you pedal through the national park — one of the most visited in the country — interpretative signs help you appreciate the area’s history and significance. Upon meeting at the Boston Mill Visitor Center, enjoy a group hike to Blue Hen Falls followed by lunch at the park. Afterward, get back on your steed and follow the trail as it winds through Cleveland. When you arrive at the city’s Edgewater Park, celebrate by dipping your tire into Lake Erie. If you’d prefer to maximize your time at the national park instead of riding into Cleveland, we can accommodate your wishes … after all, this is your vacation! At the end of the day, shuttle back to the hotel in Akron, where you have your final group meal together at Crave, known for its eclectic menu and artsy decor.
Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott (Akron Downtown)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 41 miles (65 kilometres)
Elevation Gain: 825 feet (251 metres)
Terrain: Easier to Intermediate

Did you know that the Cuyahoga River was once so polluted that it caught fire? And did you know that this industrial disaster spurred an environmental movement? And thanks to years of effort, the upper 25 miles of this river now have excellent water quality. After breakfast, get up close and personal with three miles of the Cuyahoga River from the seat of a kayak. For those who would prefer to bike rather than kayak, you can cycle an optional 21 miles on an out-and-back route. The ride takes you along the Freedom Trail toward Kent. Paddlers and pedalers all return to the hotel for a quick shower before loading your gear into the trailer. As you head back towards the airport, stop for a final meal together before bidding adieu to each other and the Ohio to Erie Trail.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast

Optional Biking: 21 miles (33 kilometres)
Elevation Gain: 725 feet (220 metres)
Terrain: Easier to Intermediate