Ohio's Scenic Rail-Trail Offers Peaceful Walking And Biking Along Historic Train Routes

The network of rail-trails in the U.S. has grown considerably in recent years, opening up former railway corridors to the public as shared spaces for outdoor activity. One such route is the North Coast Inland Trail (NCIT), which follows parts of the abandoned Toledo, Norwalk, and Cleveland railway line through northern Ohio. Development of the paved trail began in 1992, and some stretches are still in the works. It will eventually stretch more than 100 miles when completed, joining the towns of Lorain and Wakeman.

Seven park districts collaborated to develop the former railway line that was once an important link between Cleveland and Chicago. Originally constructed in 1851, the line transported everything from lumber and coal to produce and passengers until it was abandoned in 1975. Today, like many other rail-trails in the U.S., the NCIT has become a long-distance playground, used by hikers, bikers, roller skaters, and, in some sections, horseback riders and cross-country skiers.

As the full trail is still unfinished, it's best explored in sections. The route passes through the largely flat and open landscapes for which Northern Ohio is known, with farmlands, wetlands, and wooded river valleys stretching beneath vast Midwestern skies. Some active rail lines still run alongside the trail — an added bonus for keen trainspotters.

The Lorain County section of the North Coast Inland Trail starts near the shoreline of Lake Erie, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Midwest, and heads southeast for around 30 miles. It passes through Lorain and Elyria before ending near the county line in Wakeman. This section is fully paved, making it suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, and bicycles. The urban parkland opens up into wide open farmland, woodlands, and river valleys. Just before the county line, the trail passes through the historic village of Kipton, known for its tragic train crash of 1891. A historical marker remembers the nine men who lost their lives when the fast-running mail train collided with the Toledo Express. This part of the trail also forms part of the Black River trail system connecting trails around Lorain County.

The Huron County section passes through Norwalk and is better suited to walking because of its crushed stone surface. Around 28 miles long, it heads through farmland and forest tunnels, and there are some lovely views from old railway viaducts that cross over the Huron River. Horses are allowed on the unpaved areas in this section.

The 28-mile Sandusky County section runs between Bellevue and Elmore and also forms part of the Buckeye Trail. Passing through wetlands and marshy landscapes before crossing the Sandusky River, the trail here is flat, paved, and a great place to practice inline skating. The trail finishes with the 5-mile Ottawa County section between Elmore and Genoa, which is still being developed. The marshlands surrounding Lake Erie here are an important habitat for birds, and keen birdwatchers should look out for herons, egrets, kingfishers, and other migratory birds in spring and summer.

The North Coast Inland Trail is best walked or biked in sections for now, as there are still unfinished gaps on the route. The Lorain and Sandusky stretches are the best and easiest options if you're cycling, thanks to the asphalt surface. Lorain is only a 28-mile drive along I-90 from the budget-friendly Midwest city of Cleveland, with Cleveland Hopkins International Airport as an easy access point if you're flying in. The trailhead sits at Lakeside Landing on the shores of Lake Erie, where there's parking, a bike fix-it station, picnic shelters, and restrooms. The Sandusky trailhead at Elmore is nearer to Toledo, around 18 miles away and served by Toledo Express Airport.

Bikes and e-bikes are available to rent in some of the larger towns and along the Lake Erie shoreline. Try Eddy's Bike Shop in Cleveland, where a standard bike costs $60 for the day or $80 for an e-bike. Further east in Sandusky, e-bikes are available to rent from Pedego Electric Bikes, and you should contact them directly for prices and availability. The mainly flat terrain means the NCIT is a fairly easy ride, making it ideal for families with younger children. Many paths pass through woodland, so there's plenty of shade in summer. It's also particularly pretty in autumn when the leaves turn and the landscape gradually changes into a vivid patchwork of gold, orange, and red.