Ohio is flat. Well, mostly. If you’ve ever driven the monotonous stretch of the Turnpike between Toledo and Cleveland, you know the vibe. But there’s a secret hiding just south of that highway. It’s the North Coast Inland Trail. People talk about it like it’s one single, seamless path where you can hop on a bike and ride across the state without seeing a car.
It isn't. Not yet, anyway.
Right now, the North Coast Inland Trail (NCIT) is a fascinating, sprawling, and sometimes frustrating patchwork of paved trails, crushed limestone, and "good luck on the shoulder" road connections. It’s a vision. When it’s finally done, it’ll span over 100 miles across seven counties: Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, Huron, Lorain, and Cuyahoga. But if you’re planning to ride it this weekend, you need to know exactly where the pavement ends and the gravel—or the heavy traffic—begins.
The Reality of the "Patchwork" Trail
Most people assume "Inland Trail" means a forest hike. Honestly, it’s much more industrial and agricultural than that. This thing is built almost entirely on old railroad beds, specifically the former New York Central and Lake Shore & Michigan Southern lines. That means two things: it’s incredibly straight, and the grades are basically non-existent. It's perfect for crushing miles on a road bike.
The Lorain County stretch is the crown jewel. If you start in Elyria and head west toward Kipton, you’re looking at nearly 20 miles of smooth, wide pavement. It’s gorgeous. You pass through small towns like Oberlin, where the trail cuts right through the heart of the college town. You can grab a coffee at The Slow Train Cafe, lean your bike against a brick wall, and feel like you're in a European cycling hub. Then you hit the edge of town and it's back to the cornfields.
But then there are the gaps.
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Between Bellevue and Monroeville, things get tricky. You'll find yourself transitioning from a dedicated path to sharing the road with semi-trucks on Route 20 or navigating backroads that haven't seen a paving crew since the 90s. The Firelands Rails-to-Trails (FRTT) group has been working tirelessly on the Huron County sections, but funding for land acquisition is a nightmare. It’s a slow game of chess played with local farmers and government budgets.
Why the Sandusky County Section is a Sleeper Hit
If you want the best "bang for your buck" without the crowds of Oberlin, go to Fremont. The section through Sandusky County is surprisingly well-maintained.
You’ve got the Terra State Community College trailhead which serves as a great jumping-off point. Heading west from Fremont toward Clyde, the trail feels isolated in a good way. You aren't constantly crossing busy intersections. It’s just you, the wind, and the occasional red-tailed hawk.
What most riders miss
Most cyclists just stick to the pavement. But if you have a gravel bike or something with at least 32mm tires, the sections near Elmore are worth the vibration. The transition from paved to "improved" surfaces is where the North Coast Inland Trail loses the casual weekenders and becomes a playground for the long-distance touring crowd.
There's a specific bridge over the Sandusky River in Fremont. It's an old railroad trestle converted for pedestrians. Stand there at sunset. The way the light hits the water while the town of Fremont hums in the distance—it’s the kind of Midwest beauty that people who fly over the state never get to see.
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The Politics of Pavement
Building a trail like this isn't just about pouring asphalt. It’s about eminent domain, property rights, and "not in my backyard" (NIMBY) sentiment. In some counties, the NCIT is welcomed as a massive economic driver. In others, it's seen as a tax burden.
Take the Lorain County Metro Parks. They’ve gone all-in. They see the trail as a primary transit corridor. Then look at some of the gaps further west. Local officials have to balance the desires of cyclists with the concerns of farmers who don't necessarily want a bike path cutting their acreage in half. This is why the trail "breaks" in certain spots. When you see a "Bike Route" sign pointing you onto a state highway, that's usually a sign of a failed land negotiation.
It’s also about the money. Most of these sections are funded by Clean Ohio Trails Fund grants or federal Transportation Alternatives (TA) set-asides. These grants are competitive. One year, Huron County might win big; the next, they’re dead in the water. This leads to the disjointed experience we have today where one mile is pristine and the next is a muddy double-track.
Planning a Thru-Ride? Read This First.
If you’re crazy enough to try to ride the whole thing in a day, don't rely on Google Maps. It will lie to you. It often sees "projected" trail segments as active ones.
- Water is a problem. Unlike the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath, which has frequent visitor centers and water fountains, the NCIT is remote. Towns like Wakeman or Kipton are tiny. If the local gas station is closed, you’re out of luck. Carry more than you think you need.
- Wind is the real enemy. Because the trail is an old rail line, it’s mostly cleared of heavy forest on either side. In Sandusky and Ottawa counties, the crosswinds coming off Lake Erie can be brutal. Check the weather. If there’s a 20mph gust from the North, your "easy" flat ride just became a leg-burning slog.
- The Surface Swaps. You'll go from asphalt to chip-seal to crushed limestone to dirt. If you’re on 23mm racing slicks, you're going to have a bad time. 28mm is the bare minimum; 35mm is the sweet spot for comfort.
- The Elmore Extension. The stretch into Ottawa County is one of the newest and most scenic, passing through the Village of Elmore. Stop at the Schedel Arboretum & Gardens if you have time. It’s a weirdly high-end botanical garden tucked away in a place you’d never expect.
The Future: Connecting the Dots
The grand plan is for the North Coast Inland Trail to be part of the U.S. Bicycle Route 30. Eventually, it should link up with the University/Parks Trail in Toledo and run all the way toward Pennsylvania.
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We’re seeing progress in Lorain. The Black River Bridgeway Trail is starting to create some interesting north-south connectors that feed into the main east-west artery of the NCIT. But the "Great Gap" in the middle of the state remains the biggest hurdle.
Honestly, the lack of completion is part of the charm. It feels like an expedition. You’re navigating through the "real" Ohio—past rusted-out grain silos, through 19th-century downtowns, and alongside active cornfields where the farmers will give you a confused wave as you pedal by in spandex.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
Don't just show up and ride. You'll end up stranded or staring at a "Private Property" sign.
- Download the PDF maps from the Lorain County Metro Parks and the Sandusky County Park District websites. Do not rely on cell service; there are dead zones near the Huron/Sandusky border.
- Park at the Oberlin Trailhead if you want the safest, most social experience. It has restrooms, bike tools, and plenty of parking.
- Check the hunting seasons. Some sections of the trail pass near state wildlife areas. While the trail itself is safe, wearing some high-visibility gear during deer season in November isn't a bad idea.
- Support the local small-town businesses. The only way these gaps get closed is if the local communities see that cyclists actually spend money. Stop at the local diners in Clyde or the pizza shops in Elmore.
- Report trail hazards. These paths are maintained by a skeleton crew of park rangers and volunteers. If there's a downed tree or a washed-out bridge, call the respective county park district. They actually appreciate the heads-up.
The North Coast Inland Trail is a masterpiece in progress. It’s a reminder that infrastructure takes decades, and that sometimes the best way to see a state is at 15 miles per hour on a path that used to carry steam engines. Pack a spare tube, watch the wind, and don't be afraid to take the road detours—they’re just part of the story.
Actionable Next Steps
Before you head out, verify the current construction status of the Wellington to Rochester segment, as this is a frequent area for maintenance and closures. If you're planning a multi-day trip, book a stay in Oberlin or Fremont, as these are the only towns with consistent lodging options directly accessible from the trail. Use a dedicated GPS app like Ride With GPS and search for "NCIT" to find user-uploaded routes that account for current road detours, as these are more reliable than standard mapping software for this specific route.