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Biking At Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Bicycling is a great activity for exploring Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Most people are going to use the Towpath Trail, since 22 miles (35 km) of the trail’s 101 miles (162.5 km) are located within the park. Mountain bikes are welcome on the park’s East Rim trails, and e-bikes are also allowed on the Towpath Trail and other locations where traditional bikes are allowed.

Bike riding on the Towpath Trail, Cuyahoga Valley National Park / NPS - DJ Reiser

The Towpath Trail is a mostly level trail with minimal elevation changes. It links to three other shared trails which may be enjoyed separately or in combination:

  • The All Purpose Trails are managed by Cleveland Metroparks. They cross Brecksville Reservation and Bedford Reservations from east to west. The surfaces are paved.
  • The Bike & Hike Trail is managed by Summit Metro Parks. It borders the national park to the east. The closest trailheads are at State Route 82, Brandywine Falls, East Rim/Boston Heights, and State Route 303. The entire trail is 33.5 miles long and paved. A steep connector trail joins the Bike & Hike Trail at Holzhauer Road with the Towpath Trail just north of Red Lock Trailhead.
  • The Hemlock Creek Trail was developed by West Creek Conservancy and is managed by the City of Independence. Hemlock Creek joins the Towpath Trail by Stone Road, just north of Canal Exploration Center. It is 1.7 miles long, paved, steep, and scenic.

The Towpath Trail is a shared trail, so cyclists need to be courteous of runners, walkers, people in motorized wheelchairs, and people pushing strollers and/or with small children, all moving at different speeds.

Mountain Biking And E-Bikes

Mountain bikes and E-bikes are also welcome in the park. According to park staff:

The East Rim Trails are for mountain bikers with intermediate skills. The system of four trails offers stunning views, varied terrain, exciting obstacles, and an element of adventure. Our partners manage other mountain biking trails in and near Cuyahoga Valley. There are choices for beginners to advanced riders. Visit the park’s mountain biking page for details.

Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on the Towpath Trail and other locations where traditional bicycles are allowed. E-bikes are not allowed on the East Rim mountain bike trails. Find more detailed rules about e-bike use in the Superintendent's Compendium.

Map of East Rim mountain bike trails, Cuyahoga Valley National Park / NPS file

If you don’t have a bike or don’t want to bring it with you during your park visit, you can rent a bike from any of the listed rental businesses on the Towpath Trail page (link at the top of the page).

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

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