Towpath Trail Hike Overview
- Length: 20 miles (32.18 km) one way (in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
- Hiking Time: 7 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 100 feet
- Route: Out-And-Back
- Best Season: Summer, when flora and fauna are at their peak.
- Pets Allowed: Yes (leashed)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes, for all ages
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Finding the Trailhead: Numerous trailheads (Lock 39, Canal Exploration, Station Road Bridge, Red Lock, Boston, Lock 29, Hunt House, Ira, Botzum)
Towpath Trail Guide
Towpath Trail (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
The Towpath Trail is a 101-mile trail in Ohio, 20 miles through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It is an out-and-back trail considered the most popular in Ohio and the national park, and cyclists, hikers, walkers, and runners use it!
Numerous trailheads can be used to access this trail, making it one of the most easily accessible trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The towpath trailheads include Lock 39, Canal Exploration, Station Road Bridge, Red Lock, Boston, Lock 29, Hunt House, Ira, and Botzum.
This guide will start at Lock 39 Trailhead in Valley View. To begin the trail, pull into the parking lot at Lock 39. Walk straight onto the trail and head south (north takes you out of the National Park). You will quickly pass Lock 39 (used for the Ohio & Eerie Canal) on the left.
You will then continue on a straight path of crushed limestone and a paved path for 1.8 miles before arriving at the Canal Exploration Trailhead (another access point for the Towpath Trail). On this section of the trail, you can expect to see numerous canal locks, different flora, and plentiful wildlife like deer, birds, etc.
You will quickly approach the Canal Exploration Center in Independence on your right. This is another access point for the Towpath Trail. Not only this, but it’s a great area to take a picnic, bring kids to enjoy the outdoors, or spend an hour learning about the Ohio & Erie Canal system and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Once you pass the Canal Exploration Trailhead, you will travel another 4.5 miles before reaching the next trailhead. This section of the Towpath Trail is rich in history, and in a half-mile, you’ll get the first historical building on your left, Wilson Mill.
From there, the trail will remain flat with limestone and pavement until you see the Frazee house across the street (on your left). Because this 1.8-mile section of the trail follows a road most of the way, expect less wildlife and spectacular views.
Once you pass the Frazee house, you will travel another 2.7 miles before reaching the Station Road Bridge trailhead in Brecksville. This section is a favorite of hikers, runners, and cyclists due to its flat, fast concrete trail. You can expect many birds like bald eagles, animals like deer, and sometimes the occasional coyote, as well as beautiful views.
Not only that, but this section provides river access to fly fishermen and kayakers. It also provides access to trails that lead visitors to beautiful backcountry waterfalls that only locals know of.
You will be about a half-mile away from the Station Road Bridge trailhead when you see a giant bridge towering over the park. As you approach the bridge, the trail splits off in two directions. You can take either route to the Station Road Bridge.
Once you reach the Station Road bridge intersection, you can continue forward or make your way to the parking lot/trailhead. At the parking lot/trailhead is a bathroom, a waiting area for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park train, and access to the Brecksville Reservation.
Continuing on the towpath trail, you must trek another 2.5 miles until you reach the Red Lock Trailhead in Sagamore Hills. It should be noted that this is one of the most popular sections of the towpath and any trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It is also one of the park’s most beautiful stretches, with diverse wildlife, landscapes, and plants.
After you pass the Station Road Bridge trailhead, you’ll travel more of the same straight limestone and concrete trail for about a mile until you see a mile marker on your right. In this section, you’ll find plentiful fishing options and access to more backcountry waterfalls. In another mile, you will gain access to the Old Carriage Trail on the left before reaching Red Lock Trailhead in another 1/2 mile.
Once you reach the Red Lock Trailhead, you can travel another 1.75 miles before your next trailhead. This part of the trail is flat and open, with many views of the landscape around you, much like the past several sections.
On this stretch, you will quickly pass the Brandywine Ski Resort on your left-hand side, along with the old Jaite Paper Mill on your right (no longer there). You will continue along the canal and Cuyahoga River, where you will see remnants of old farms before quickly approaching Boston Heights.
About half a mile before reaching Boston Heights, a side trail goes to the left and leads to the Standford House and Standford Trail, ultimately leading to Brandywine Falls.
At Boston Heights, you can stop and enjoy a picnic at the Boston Store or visit the brand-new Cuyahoga Valley National Park visitor center to your left. It’s also a great place to go kayaking or enjoy the park’s history.
After stopping for a break, you can return to the Boston trailhead and head towards another popular section that is 2.5 miles long. You will continue over a footbridge straight ahead (do not veer left) and then under a bridge. You will continue along a mixture of lime and concrete trail for another 1/2 mile until you get to a neat, long wooden footbridge.
Once you pass the footbridge, you will go through numerous canals and a short tunnel. You will continue along a damn section of the river, along more canals, and then through a windy short section before you get to downtown Peninsula.
Once you reach the Peninsula/Lock 29 trailhead, you can take a quick pit stop at a restroom, walk around the historic town, eat at the Winking Lizard, or wait for the scenic train.
Once you are ready to continue on the trail, cross over the bridge (high above the Cuyahoga River) and follow the river for 3.3 miles. This is another popular section of the trail, where you’ll find many runners, walkers, and runners.
You will continue for about a mile before you come across the entrance for the remnants of the Deep Lock Quarry. During this section, you’ll spot the occasional coyote in the morning or owl in the evening. You’ll see plenty of deer, raccoons, hawks, and more. This is another exciting section to explore the native flora, waterways, and other unique features of only the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
After this junction, continue for another 2.25 miles before reaching the Hunt House Trailhead in Peninsula. On this 2.25 section, you should expect a straight but heavily wooded path. Once you are about 1/2 mile from the Hunt House, you’ll notice the locally famous Szalay’s Farm on your left.
Once you arrive at the Hunt House trailhead, you’ll have more access to bathroom facilities and the popular Szalay’s farmstand. It is also a great place to pick up the Buckeye Trail for those wanting a more single-track or dirt trail.
After you enjoy a nice picnic or break, continue south. You will travel another 1.4 miles before the next trailhead, packed with exciting scenery.
You will quickly pass more farmland on your right before coming up on several small ponds and canals. You will continue another 1/2 mile before you see a trailer park on your right and the Cuyahoga River again on your left.
The most exciting part of this section will be the boardwalk that goes over the famous Beaver Marsh. This is one of the best spots in the park to find wildlife like beavers, blue herons, fish, and other birds.
Continue straight through a pine forest, and you will approach Ira Trailhead in Peninsula on your right. There are more bathrooms and a small car park, but most visitors will quickly bypass this area.
From Ira Trailhead, it is about 2 miles to the final trailhead in the national park. You will start by going straight for about 1/4 mile before having to cross a street twice. You will then take the trail for another two miles. This is another section that is flat, straight and has little scenery as it follows the road. You will pass through several open forests before crossing one last road. You will then quickly approach the Botzum Trailhead in Akron.
At this point, you’ve finished the 20-mile stretch of the Towpath Trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. You can continue to follow the trail south until you get into downtown Akron, but you will no longer be in the park.
Alternative Option
If you want the beauty of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the ease of the towpath trail, hiking, biking, or running on the Brecksville Reservation All-Purpose Trail is a must.
The benefits of visiting this trail are:
- The All-Purpose trail is much less crowded than any section of the towpath trail.
- You have a greater chance of seeing wildlife, including coyotes, foxes, hawks, and other forest creatures.
- It’s much shorter. The All-Purpose trail is 4 miles, most of which is flat. Even better, you can jump on the All-Purpose trail almost anywhere in the Brecksville Reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is an incredibly flat and easy trail. Anyone can access it, including kids, dogs, and even wheelchair-bound individuals.
Yes, you can bring leashed dogs on the trail at any time of the year. Be careful with dogs on the trail, as there is typically a lot of bike and running traffic.
This is one of the few trails that is best at any time of year and can be safely accessed at any hour.
Yes, this is the perfect trail for kids, whether 2 years old or 20 years old; kids of all ages will enjoy it.
Yes, trail runners of all levels will love how flat this trail is. It is one of the most popular trails for runners in Northeast Ohio.
Deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits frequent this trail. You may also see red-tail hawks, owls, coyotes, and the occasional fox on the trail. It is also one of the few spots of bald eagles nest in Ohio.
Yes, the Towpath Trail is marked. It is almost impossible to get lost, especially if you follow the signs.
Yes, this is one of the few trails in the park accessible for individuals with mobility challenges.
No, you can hike this trail any day and any hour.
This is the most popular trail in the national park. Visit in the winter to avoid the crowds. Seeing in the morning or evening is recommended if you visit in the spring, summer, or fall.
Carrying a phone, backpack, water, hiking boots or shoes is always recommended, and a light snack. In the summer, carrying 2 liters of water is recommended when it is hot and humid due to the altitude and heat.
You can park in one of the ten trailhead parking lots.
Towpath Trail Map
Directions
There are numerous ways to get to the Towpath Trail. The easiest way is to put the address or trailhead name in the Towpath section where you want to start. Below are the addresses of the Towpath Trailheads:
- Lock 39 Trailhead: 8000 Rockside Road. Independence, Ohio 44131
- Canal Exploration Trailhead: 7104 Canal Road. Valley View, Ohio 44125
- Station Road Bridge Trailhead: 9141 Riverview Road. Brecksville, Ohio 44141
- Red Lock Trailhead: 1175 Highland Road. Sagamore Hills, Ohio 44067
- Boston Trailhead: 1508 Boston Mills Road. Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Lock 29 Trailhead: 1648 Mill Street. Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Hunt House Trailhead: 2054 Bolanz Road. Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Ira Trailhead: 3801 Riverview Road. Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Botzum Trailhead: 2928 Riverview Road. Akron, Ohio 44313
Learn More About Cuyahoga Valley National Park Hikes
While the Towpath Trail is the most popular in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, numerous fulfilling hikes can be enjoyed during the day or on a long weekend. Check out some of my other favorite hikes below.
