Area Summary: The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is a 90-mile-long multipurpose trail that runs north and south from Canal Basin Park in downtown Cleveland to Canal Lands Park in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Part of the towpath runs through Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There are more than 50 trailheads along the trail, and most of the trail is generally flat and also ADA-accessible.
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers one way train rides for adventerers and their bikes and kayaks, along the Ohio & Erie Canal towpath between 4 depots through their Explorer program. You can find the schedule and depot locations as well as more information about the explorer program on their website. Note — their kayaking shuttle service can be hit or miss, so make sure you check with them first. Also, the Explorer Program has a 40 lbs weight limit for bikes, so that will exclude most e-bikes.
Trailhead information: For this adventure, I started at the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Peninsula Depot. A Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad volunteer loaded my bike onto the train and then directed me to the human entrance to board and pay the $5.00 fare. The train is air conditioned and offers snacks and drinks for purchase. I got off at the Botzum Depot, but you could get off at the Indigo Lake Depot for a shorter ride, or the North Akron Depot for a longer ride. No matter where you get off, the fare is just $5.00. The ride was easy, with a slight downgrade back to the depot, making this section a super beginner friendly ride!
Arrive about 20 minutes earlier than the posted boarding time, the train runs on time and will not wait for stragglers! Bring cash and exact change for the train fare.
Between the Indigo Lake Depot and Peninsula Depot is Szalay’s Market, where I stopped for lunch, fresh produce, and their famous Roasted Corn on the Cob. Make sure you bring panniers or some type of bag to bring home goodies in! Szalays also takes cash only, but they do have an ATM the premesis.
The rest of the ride back to the depot was full of trees, turtles, canal locks, and the notable Beaver Marsh Section of the towpath.
Local tip: If you haven’t already, make sure you stop in at the Boston Mill Visitor Center to get your National Park Passport stamped!
Bike Rentals: You can rent a bike for your adventure at Eddy’s Bike Shop (formerly Century Cycles) located right by the Peninsula Depot.
Local Eats: My personal favorite is the Winking Lizard, an eclectic local dive with great American food and drinks. Also located right next to the train depot.
Trip Summary: Arrive 20 minutes before boarding time according to the CVSR schedule in Peninsula. Ride train to Botzum. Peddle back to Peninsula, stopping at Szalay’s Market. Stop anywhere and everywhere interesting along the way!
She is Wild & Free 
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