JANUARY 2025:
We asked Gemini - Can you help me plan an Ohio to Erie Trail Trip? 

(Here is the Gemini response with additional links added by a human person.) 

Planning Your Ohio to Erie Trail Adventure - Great choice!

The Ohio to Erie Trail is a fantastic journey through Ohio's diverse landscapes.
Here's a breakdown to help you plan your trip:Plan a Trip  
Review the brochure online brochure  Find an organized tour 2025 Tours 

1. Determine Your Starting Point and Duration:

• Starting Point: Choose between Cincinnati (Ohio River) and go north or Cleveland (Lake Erie) and go south.List by County   

• Duration: Consider your fitness level and available time. The entire trail is approximately 326 miles, so plan accordingly.   

2. Research Trail Conditions and Weather:

• Trail Conditions: Check the official Ohio to Erie Trail website for updates on trail closures, construction, and surface conditions.alerts  

• Weather: Monitor weather forecasts for your travel dates. Pack accordingly and be prepared for potential changes.F.A.Q.  

3. Plan Your Route and Accommodations:

• Route: Use the Ohio to Erie Trail website's interactive map and GPS files to plan your route. Consider breaking it down into manageable sections.i-map     GPS files   

• Accommodations: Decide if you'll camp, stay in hotels, or a combination of both. Many towns along the trail offer lodging options.  lodging

4. Pack Essentials: (Recorded Webinar Available)Tour Prep Video, 2022  

• Equipment: Bike, helmet, appropriate clothing, water bottles, snacks, first-aid kit, and any necessary tools.Bike Tour Packing List  

• Documents: Trail maps, GPS files and identification.

5. Consider Transportation:

• Bike Transportation: If you're starting in a different city, research options for transporting your bike.shuttle 

• Luggage Transportation: If you're not carrying all your gear on your bike, consider using a luggage transfer service.Luggage Help 

6. Plan for Rest and Resupply:

• Rest Stops: Look for designated rest areas along the trail for breaks, water refills, and snacks.  Food

• Resupply: Plan your stops for resupplying food, water, and other essentials. Many towns along the trail have grocery stores and restaurants.

7. Enjoy the Journey!

• Explore: Take time to explore the towns and attractions along the trail. gateways

• Connect with Nature: Enjoy the beautiful scenery and wildlife.

• Meet Fellow Trail Users: Share your experiences and make new friends.connect or watch the 2024 youtube playlist: Visitor Videos

Distance Grid

For the Distance Grid as a Printable PDF, click the image or button below to download the file.

Distance Grid Printable 

Helpful Resources:

• Ohio to Erie Trail Website: https://ohiotoerietrail.org/interactive-map

• Trail Maps and GPS Files: https://ohiotoerietrail.org/OTET_RWGPS

• Trail Guides and Brochures: https://ohiotoerietrail.org/planOTET

Would you like more specific information, such as recommended accommodations or points of interest along the trail?

Planning Your Ohio to Erie Trail Adventure: More Specific Information

Recommended Accommodations and Points of InterestAttractions  

 * Cincinnati: visitcincy.com 

   * Accommodations: Numerous hotels in downtown Cincinnati. (See Lodging List, South Region)  lodging

   * Points of Interest: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, American Sign Museum, Smale Riverfront Park.

 * Columbus:  ExperienceColumbus.com

   * Accommodations: Wide range of hotels in downtown Columbus.  (See Lodging List, South Central Region) lodging

   * Points of Interest: Ohio State University, COSI Columbus, Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens.

 * Akron:  Visit Summit County 

   * Accommodations: Hotels and motels in downtown Akron. (See Lodging List, North Region) lodging 

   * Points of Interest: Akron Art Museum, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Summit County Metro Parks.

 * Cleveland:  Destination CLE 

   * Accommodations: Many hotels in downtown Cleveland.  (See Lodging List, North Region) lodging 

   * Points of Interest: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Museum of Art, Great Lakes Science Center.

Additional Tips:

 * Campgrounds: Many state and local parks along the trail offer campgrounds for those who prefer a more rustic experience.Camp areas  
 * Local Food: Enjoy local cuisine at restaurants and farmers' markets along the trail.Food

* Trail Communities: Connect with local trail communities for information and support.

 gateways 

  Side Trips: Explore nearby towns and attractions that are off the main trail.Side trips 

(Such as Dayton, Yellow Springs, Granville or Canton)

List of Trail Lodging as a Google Maps List    

Detailed list of the streets and roads part of the trail: Not Trail Yet 


Watch our past webinars and helpful website intro videos on YouTube:   Past Webinars 

Should I start in Cincinnati or Cleveland?

To answer the question with a question...

Do you want to start with flat, smooth linear trail and end with varied surfaces (crushed stone) and hills on country roads or visa versa?

Some people like to "warm up" on the southern section so they have stronger legs and tushy by the time they get to the hills and crushed stone paths.  Others prefer to start with the harder sections while they are "fresh" and cruise into Cincinnati with longer mileage days at the end.  

Based on the original plan for the trail, the name of the trail is "Ohio to Erie Trail" so 2/3 of trail visitors start in Cincinnati or Kentucky and go north.  We only began selling a southbound map in 2017, so the southbound map sales numbers are steadily increasing and may get to 50% eventually.   

Here is more information about the two halves, from the official trail mid point in Centerburg at the MID POINT Photo OP sign.  (Location GPS 40.3061122909784, -82.6987444839939)

The southern half has more smooth paved surface, large stretches of flat, open trail in rural areas.  Includes 2 large cities Cincinnati and Columbus, State Park, Metro Parks, mostly linear rail trail or closely follows Rivers. Loveland is a highlight.  Minimal road route of 7.5 miles total

The northern half will have more ups and downs and varied surfaces, plus rural roads, Amish Country scenery, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Cleveland.   Road and Street riding of 27 miles total. 

This info is at the bottom of the Parking page.   

Deciding on Direction of Travel:

When you are deciding which end to begin, you can decide if you want a tailwind (northbound) or a headwind (southbound). Of course, Ohio's weather is never the same day twice and often we can experience all 4 seasons in the course of a week, but in general, the primary wind direction over much of Ohio is from the southwest, as measured at National Weather Service sites at larger cities.

Some variability occurs but most weather stations report long-term average winds from a direction between south and west-southwest. The wind can blow from any direction on any given day however, primarily due to Ohio’s location with respect to the position of large high pressure areas and storm systems that are continually moving across the continent. The average daily wind velocity around Ohio is approximately nine mph. Wind velocity varies however by season and location, being faster in winter than in summer and faster in the northern half of the State than in the southern in any given season. Specifically, higher velocities average 12 mph in winter in the north while lowest speeds are six to eight mph in summer in the south.
Parking Ideas

You can find more free resources at Plan a Trip