Bike Trail Travels: Ohio

Ohio might not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of cycling destinations, but the Buckeye State has quietly built one of the most impressive trail systems in the United States. With over 1,800 miles of dedicated bike paths crisscrossing the state, Ohio offers everything from a leisurely ride through scenic countryside to challenging routes that traverse the state from Lake Erie to the Ohio River.

This guide covers the best bike trails in Ohio, complete with the details you need to plan your next outdoor adventure on two wheels.

The Little Miami Scenic Trail stands as one of Ohio's crown jewels and ranks as the fourth-longest paved trail in the entire country. Stretching 78 miles from Springfield to just south of Cincinnati, this rail trail follows the winding path of the Little Miami River through southwestern Ohio.

The trail has two distinct personalities. South of Spring Valley, the path hugs the river banks, providing a shaded, meandering ride through small towns like Corwin, Oregonia, Morrow, and Loveland. You'll pass canoe liveries, quaint eateries, and Fort Ancient State Historic Site. North of Spring Valley, the trail follows historic rail corridors, linking larger cities like Xenia and Springfield.

The City of Xenia sits at the heart of Ohio's trail network. Xenia Station serves as a restored railroad depot where four separate bike paths converge, making it an ideal starting point for exploring multiple routes. From here, you can connect to the Creekside Trail heading toward Dayton, the Prairie Grass Trail heading to London, or continue along the Little Miami Scenic Trail in either direction.

Yellow Springs, located nine miles north of Xenia, offers a funky, eco-friendly vibe with galleries, restaurants, and the Mills Park Hotel. It's a popular stopping point for trail users looking to refuel before continuing their journey.

History buffs and cyclists alike will appreciate the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. This heritage trail follows the route where mules once pulled canal boats laden with passengers and goods between 1827 and 1913.

The towpath runs over 90 miles from Cleveland south through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, continuing through Akron and beyond toward New Philadelphia. The trail connects four counties and passes through some of Ohio's most beautiful natural areas while telling the story of the state's industrial heritage.

The 20-mile stretch through Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers rewarding riding. You can combine your bike trip with a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which allows cyclists to take the train one direction and pedal back the other way.

The Towpath Trail is mostly flat, following the gentle grade of the original canal route. In Cuyahoga County, the surface is entirely paved. South of there, the surface varies between gravel, packed earth, and asphalt, but remains accessible to most bikes with appropriate tires.

Over 50 trailheads provide parking and trail access, with many offering restroom facilities. The Boston Mill Visitor Center makes a convenient midpoint with bathrooms, bike stands, and a gift shop.

The Kokosing Gap Trail in Knox County offers a 14-mile journey through some of Ohio's most picturesque landscapes. Built on a former Pennsylvania Railroad line, this paved recreational trail winds alongside the Kokosing River from Mount Vernon to Danville.

The Knox County Park District maintains this well-kept path, which features several distinctive attractions along the way. Near Gambier, home to Kenyon College, you'll find a restored 1940s-era steam locomotive and caboose parked alongside the trail. In Howard, the trail passes through a stone-arched tunnel that makes for a unique photo opportunity.

Two railroad bridges spanning over 250 feet each carry trail users across the Kokosing River, offering views of the rapids below. The route passes through forests, wetlands, and family farms, with wildlife sightings that include white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and great blue herons. The Kenyon College Brown Family Environmental Center, along the trail, provides opportunities for studying the natural resources of the Kokosing River valley.

The trail operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, though water fountains and most restrooms close from mid-November to mid-April. The Howard restroom remains open year-round.

Located in the heart of Ohio's Amish country, the Holmes County Trail was the first recreational trail in the nation designed specifically to accommodate both cyclists and horse-drawn buggies. This multipurpose trail spans over 15 miles and connects Fredericksburg, Millersburg, and Killbuck.

The trail passes through rolling farmland where you're likely to see Amish families traveling by buggy alongside cyclists and pedestrians. The landscape offers views of family farms, pastoral hillsides, and covered bridges. The trail connects to the Buckeye Trail and other routes in the Ohio to Erie Trail network, making longer adventures possible.

The Miami Valley Trails network covers over 340 miles of interconnected paths, forming one of the largest paved trail networks in the United States. The Great Miami River Trail serves as a major artery in this system, running through Greene County and the Dayton metro area.

This multipurpose trail follows the Great Miami River through parks, urban areas, and scenic countryside. The route connects several communities and offers access to Metro Parks facilities, local businesses, and riverside recreation areas. The trail supports both recreation and active transportation, with many commuters using the paths daily.

The trail network continues to expand through collaborative efforts between local governments, park districts, and trail groups. These trails have supported economic development in communities along the route, bringing visitors to local shops, restaurants, and bike-friendly businesses.

Traveling 43 miles through rural northeastern Ohio, the Western Reserve Greenway follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad branch line, extending close to the shore of Lake Erie. The northern trailhead sits in Ashtabula, and the route's rural surroundings offer opportunities to spot deer, beavers, and various bird species. A stone arch bridge over Baughman Creek provides one of the trail's highlights. This trail currently serves as the longest segment of the Great Ohio Lake-to-River Greenway.

Ohio also offers options for riders seeking off-road adventures. Mohican State Park provides extensive trail systems through over 1,100 acres of woodland, with both challenging mountain bike trails and scenic routes along the Mohican River. Near central Ohio, Alum Creek State Park and surrounding Metro Parks offer mountain biking trails for all skill levels.

Ohio's trails welcome diverse trail users, including cyclists, runners, walkers, and even horses. Keep these basics in mind while riding:

• Stay to the right except when passing

• Announce your intentions when passing with a bell or verbal signal

• Yield to pedestrians and horses

• Keep pets on a leash

• Pack out what you pack in

Spring and fall offer ideal conditions for Ohio riding, with moderate temperatures and beautiful scenery. The changing leaves in autumn make trails like the Kokosing Gap particularly stunning. Summer works fine for early morning or evening rides, though humidity can be intense during midday hours. Many paved trails remain rideable through winter, though ice and snow can make conditions tricky.

Before heading out, download a trail map to your phone or grab printed versions from visitor centers. Many trails post condition updates online to help you plan around any trail closure notices or construction projects. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and local park district websites provide reliable planning information. Most trailheads have a parking lot with ample space, though popular spots can fill up on weekends.

Ohio's trail system keeps expanding, with new sections opening regularly and connections improving each year. From the shores of Lake Erie to the Ohio River, from scenic countryside to historic canal routes, there's a perfect ride waiting for every cyclist.

The hardest part? Getting your bikes to the trailhead safely.

That's where we come in. At 1UP USA, we build bike racks designed to get your bikes to your adventure safely and securely. Our racks are manufactured right here in the USA from quality aluminum, not cheap plastic that'll crack or rust after a few seasons. Every single part is replaceable by you, so your rack can last as long as your love for cycling.

You invested in a quality bike. Make sure you're transporting it on a rack that meets the same standards. Check out our full bike rack collection and find the right setup for your vehicle. Then load up and hit those Ohio trails.