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The North Coast Inland Trail (NCIT) represents a regional collaboration among park districts across the Buckeye State currently including Ottawa, Sandusky, Huron, and Lorain counties. This section of the trail is managed by Sandusky and Ottawa counties and runs for 29.64 miles.
About the Route
The western end of this section of the NCIT leaves off from the west just north of Ottawa County’s village of Elmore, which has a trailside bike shop as well as a downtown featuring antique stores and a few small eateries. A restored railroad depot greets visitors, highlighting the history of Penn Central Railroad’s Norwalk Branch that served local industries and passengers.
From there, the route heads southeast for nearly a dozen miles to Fremont, entering Sandusky County and transporting trail users through charming small towns, lovely parks, and pristine rural areas. Midway, the trail travels through Lindsey, where Miller Park is located, and also provides public restrooms and drinking water.
At the Walter Avenue trailhead in Fremont, a gap in the trail begins, requiring travel via a low-trafficked, marked on-road route across town. While in town, a notable stop is the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, about 0.5 miles from the bike route.
At Hayes Avenue, trail users can pick up the off-road trail again. As you pedal out of town, the route crosses the spectacular bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Sandusky River. The path continues just over 12 more miles through Clyde to the western edge of Bellevue, reaching its eastern end at County Road 177. Most of this segment is rail-with-trail and provides proximity to such icons as the world’s largest washing machine factory. Here, trail users also have ample opportunity to take in the Ohio countryside.
Connections
On the eastern end of the trail, trail users can continue along the North Coast Inland Trail (Huron County) which ultimately connects to the North Coast Inland Trail (Lorain County).
The North Coast Inland Trail runs between S Martin Williston Rd. (Genoa) and Portland Rd. (Bellevue).
Parking is also available at:
See TrailLink Map for more options and detailed directions.
Started at the beginning of the trail in Bellevue and rode to the end in Genoa. Round trip was 68.5 miles, so each way about 34 miles. This is a great trail - flat and smooth, with minimal uprooting. Two things to mention: 1. There are several road crossings, and 2. Have to ride on streets in one of the passing towns (route signs are visible, though).
Annual "we travel 150+ miles to get to this one" ride. Staying nearby and adding other outdoor activities as well while in the area.
Always a great ride on this trail! We parked in Fremont and headed West towards Elmore. Very little shade between Fremont and Elmore, some shade towards the Fremont end, otherwise, once you get moving, heading West, it's farmlands after farmlands and fields of crops including corn and soybeans. Wide open fields, a beautiful area.
Lindsey is the first small old railroad town. Parking, picnic shelter, playground and a bike self repair fix-it station. Lindsey is the home of Luckey Farms.
There was a detour between Lindsey and Elmore where the trail goes under the Ohio turnpike. Follow the easy detour on back country roads. The only traffic was a tractor with a brush hog.
Elmore is the next old railroad town. Parking at Orly Park, and old historic log cabin, picnic tables and playground. Across from the trail is a bike shop and an ice cream stand. We actually found 3 places to eat in Elmore, and one offered outdoor seating. We ate where the outdoor seating was and got our water bottles refilled as well.
Heading west, we weren't sure how far the trail went since the last time we turned around at Elmore. Just out of Elmore the trail crosses the Portage River. Down below there we several large rocks and a dead log and we must of counted 30 turtles basking in the sun.
We continued out of Elmore through more open farmlands and about one tree offering shade. The trail ended at South Martin Williston Road but continued as part of the trail. Less than a mile on that road, not much traffic, and it comes out onto Route 51. Very new, perhaps less than a year old, a trail along side of Route 51 and winds through another field you can see the Genoa water tower. Follow this new section for a few miles into Genoa. The trail actually ends there on Washington Street, There isn't much in Genoa. But outside of town on the main highway there is a fast food restaurant.
Genoa is another old historic town. At the end of the trail was an ice cream stand. Parking at the Genoa end at the Veterans Park. There was also a bike repair stand, picnic areas and a rest room (seasonal). The trail sign in Genoa read "Elmore 5 miles, Fremont 18".
All in all, a great ride from Fremont to Genoa and back, 36 mile round trip. Trail surface is asphalt paved in very good condition.
We took a side trip up to Lake Erie and visited Marblehead Lighthouse across from Cedar Point. Marblehead is the oldest working lighthouse on all of the Great Lakes. The tower is open for climbing, seasonal, but the park is open year around.
Fremont to Bellevue section. Trail is flat and paved in good condition. Biked to Bellevue to lunch and back for a 25 mile round trip. Not much shade, goes through mostly farmlands. In the 12 miles from Fremont to Bellevue, 21 road crossings! Most of them there wasn't much traffic but you still had to stop, once you got going. In the past biked from Elmore to Fremont, found it to be more scenic.
This is a great trail with great surface.
There could be some improvement to the signage for the route when coming into the Bellevue from the west. I now suspect that you should take Riddle Rd south to Gardner Rd east into town but I must have missed the sign. I was planning to take Portland Rd north when I got to it but there was a train blocking the crossing and several crossings after (long train). So I actually just kept riding the rough road along the tracks for a couple miles east before I could get around it (train sat there for very long time).
Rode from Elmore-Fremont on July 4. Rode a terratrike with no fenders. Lots of berries? On trail especially from Lindsey - Fremont. Forearms covered with berries and seeds…not fun! Otherwise, nice trails, no hills, not busy, pretty countryside.
This is one of my fave bike trails ever! Scenic, well maintained, and enjoyable to ride.
I road the trail the few miles of it NW out of Elmore and then back to just the other side of Lindsay. Nice flat trail and relaxing country / farm scenery.
Twice now we have had to get off the trail for a tandom axle tank truck to drive down the trail from CO. RD. 74 to the Elmore golf course to pump out their ports johns and drive back down the trail to CO Rd 74. Not only is this dangerous I would think this would be damaging to the trail and in violation of the no motorized vehicle signs. How can this be stopped. This is a beautiful trail. I would like to see it stay that way.
And what a surprise! Smooth. Covered for long stretches. Elmore offers a fantastic trail-side bike shop - SpokeLife Cycles. Low traffic. Few cross stops. Park in Elmore. Ride east as far as you like. Return. Arrive back before 2:00? Get some quiche at the local diner - Christy’s Corner Cafe.
I had the chance to ride the whole NCIT from Genoa (newest part of trail) to Elyria. So many great restored train stops, bridges, and even railroad museum right on the trail. Active rail line next to trail for about 10 miles.
Most of trail is paved now but with some sections of loose gravel or even large ballast I would recommend at least a gravel or cross bike/tires.
We started on the east end of the trail. Very well maintained. Smooth surface with no potholes. Flat, with a lot of farm land. Not much tree cover. Went through the center of Clyde. It was interesting to be on the path yet in the middle of the town.
I decided to try riding the whole thing, and it was an adventure!
Started as far NW as I could, which is a little more than a mile W of Elmore, where the trail is more of a suggestion. It worked out because within 1 minute of being on the trail, I met an older guy (didn't get a name), who told me the trail is being extended that way, and it would get real nice in a mile, at Elmore. It did, and I went on my way down, crossing under the toll road. After several more miles, it ended just outside of Fremont and I had to do the city street thing. Other than a short stretch on US 20, the city streets were pretty nice passing a lot of older style homes in a residential area. From there, went on further to Clyde, where it goes right through downtown. After that I raced a train for a few miles until the trail stopped at a crossing...that I had to cross. The train parked and I ended up going under it to keep going. The trail picked up on the N side of the tracks (route 177 to US 20) and became a large sidewalk along US 20 Through Bellevue. Turning S, was tricky. The "path" is a very tiny almost sidewalk size road along some tracks called Monroe st. It eventually turns E and then you pick up a crappy gravel trail at local route 22. Stay on the gravel for many miles through Monroeville, to Norwalk. From here, there's a little bit of paved trail, and a decent amount of city street traveling. Have your Google maps handy here! You'll go up Main st, then use local 18. When it ends, the trail is across the street and slightly S of your position. It's also the crappy gravel, and uphill. I consider this the general hardest part of the trail as you're going miles on this. When it ends, it's due to someone not selling out, and you have to go around. I went N, E, then S to avoid US 20. I recommend it and it's not crowded. Then you go E into Wakeman, which has a nice little bridge crossing a creek, and then...nothing it seems. Actually you go up River st a few hundred feet, an then get on this nice brand new trail they built, which swings S onto the side of US 20 for 2-3 miles. Then N on County Line rd for a few hundred feet, then E on nice trail for many miles to Oberlin. Oberlin was a nice little town, with lots of people out and about. The station was a nice respite for my push to the end. So after a break, I continued. The trail rides N-NE now for several miles all the way to Elyra. When I did this, the bridges on the road at trails end were being rebuilt, so I (and several other folk) walked my bike across one of the bridges that was super rough. Then as the trails do NOT link up, I used W River road, to Ford road (a few miles) to get to Black River Reservation and continue on trail all the way to route 611 in SW Loraine. That was a very nice set of trails, and I highly recommend those northmost trails of the route. After a few miles of riding city streets of W Loraine, I made it to Century park on the lake. In general this was a really nice trail, but due to the train, a few turn around moments, and the gravel in the Norwalk area, it wasn't perfect. But if you want to ride a trail (or set of trails) that really go somewhere, this comes highly recommended. Trails ridden: The 3 sets of the NCIT trail, plus the Steel Mill trail. Total route miles: 87
The actual trail is well-paved. It looks like it's been recently resurfaced. In between the towns there's a lot of farmland. The towns you pass along the way are a nice diversion. In Elmore, there's a terrific cafe called Kristy's Corner Cafe on the main street just off the trail that just opened and is a great spot for coffee, ice cream, or sandwiches. The people are very friendly.
The only thing we weren't crazy about was the ride into Fremont. You have to ride on the road for about 2 miles and some of the roads are quite busy. Once you get into the town, it's pleasant riding.
Trail is as good as any I have ever ridden. Good asphalt surface. Had the privilege of riding a few miles with 18 year trail volunteer "Pete". Lot's of knowledge from him. Thanks for your service!
Best way to describe my trip: Clean path, corn stalks, yellow and green soy bean fields, friendly folks, Sandusky river, trains, good parking areas and shelters.
I started in Elmore and headed east towards Bellevue, but the on-road traffic conditions in Fremont were too much for me. I got to ride about 11 of the 28 miles.
Excellent, flat and hard-paved as a dedicated trail from Elmore to Fremont, pretty scenery on this very flat section of Ohio. Nice to see open farmland, and to cross under the Ohio Turnpike.
In Fremont the trail continues onto a light-traffic but 4-lane curbed street with no adjacent sidewalk. The curb means that I couldn't quickly get off the road itself, so I rode on the grass and through parking lots to stay away from the possibility of cars. I didn't see many bike signs, so I made a couple of wrong turns on quiet country roads (which was wishful thinking) but righted myself with google maps. The route continues on 4 lanes until turns right onto a 2-lane streett a narrow berm. During the day of my ride, there was heavy traiff, utility work and new building construction underway, with cones blocking the berm access, I had had enough by that point and turned around.
I've ridden it several times and there are very coarse rocks in places where trail parallels road. I was riding an urban bike with larger tires so I handled it ok. You people with road bikes will blow a tire. Be careful!
Very smooth, goes thru farms, small towns and some factories. Going east to west subtle down hill so a bit slower on the way back. Saw some nice summer birds. The trail crosses a number of country roads where vehicles travel at speed so be aware.
I started Labor Day 2017 in Monroeville in Huron County at the City Park below the dam. Its a short ride up the hill to pick up the trail at MM 50.5. The surface is finely crushed stone. The trail goes west stopping on the outskirts of Bellevue. Good signage helps you navigate to where the trail resumes at TR177 or TR292 on the west side. Try to make time to visit the Mad River and Nickle Plate RR Museum.
From that point on to SR105 just outside Elmore its nicely paved. I was expecting it to be all soybeans and corn but the trail was often in a narrow band of trees and made it seem wore woodland than farmland.
The small towns of Clyde, Lindsey, and Elmore were charming and very well kept. You can tell they like their trail.
In Fremont you have to take some public roads. Most are through residential areas. There is a very short section of 4 lane highway (Business US20) but the shoulder is wide and paved. The signs easily guide you through this section.
A very nice trail and you can make a really nice ride by doing all 76 miles from Elyria to Elmore. A lot of the trail in Huron County (Bellevue to Norwalk) is hard packed crushed stone. West of Kipton, leave the trail at Baird Rd and ride north on Baird then west on Bates to Lincoln then south on SR60 to Wakeman. These are very nice quiet country roads. Again the trail becomes a bike route through Norwalk but its not bad. Follow the signs which take you one block behind Main Street with its on-street parking.
I often ride this trail from Elmore to Fremont and back. When riding this section i recommend stopping in Lindsey at Sandi's Village Cafe for their great coffee and they have great food and pastry items also. The staff is very small town friendly and will assure your stop is enjoyable. This section of the trail runs through wonderful countryside and deer can often be spotted. I did ride the streets of Fremont once to connect to the Fremont East section but would not do so again as it is a bit too dangerous for me. The trail east from Fremont is also a nice ride and both sections of this trail are generally well maintained. There is a wonderful bike shop in Elmore (Elmore Cycle and Fitness) and the folks are very helpful with any bike or travel issues and are avid bikers themselves. As is often the case on trails there is a nice ice cream shop (I Scream) next door also. A nice safe trail.
A lot of early morning cyclists. A bench every few thousand feet it seemed. Every few benches are covered. A few nice bridges.
The trail ends at Hayes Ave and starts again at Walter Ave in Fremont. You need to ride on the road and through neighborhoods. The last bit to ride as you near Walter Ave is a busy highway without a space to ride a bike or even a sidewalk to seek refuge and safety. The neighborhood park was tricky enough (almost got hit 2 times in that distance due to inattentive drivers). Trail has nice surface and is flat with few shaded areas so wear the sunblock! Restroom facilities are few and are between to prepare. Look forward to all the North Coast Inland Trails to be linked as a trail without road riding needed.
The trail is a great addition to all the local communities that can use it and their families. It's nice to know that or kids can ride on the trail and every cross road is marked with a stop sign.
The only thing that scares me is how some people just run the signs like they aren't even there. I've made it a rule to always hunk my horn and slow down a lot while crossing a section of the bike trail. The horn alone won't do any good when someone is wearing headphones. I also know my wife and kids do the same. The part that shocks me is all the people I've seen or heard having close calls are adults. So I wish that everyone would do the same. Because it sure doesn't take much for kids or adults to lose focus while riding bikes down that beautiful trail.
This is a great trail....smoothly paved, well signed/painted, plenty of nearby amenities and parking, and a nice landscape of farms, woods and towns. I'm rather impressed with the way Fremont has connected several of their parks to this trail via well signed side trails, especially the paved riverside path that provides access to both Roger Young Park and downtown Fremont. It's also neat how the trail passes directly through the towns of Clyde, Lindsey and Elmore without needing a road route detour.
The new section from Clyde to Bellevue's west edge is a welcome addition, along with the new trailhead parking lot at CR 292 that provides easy access to this portion. As the previous commenter noted, the newest section does have a rather abrupt ending, which is at CR 177. Though it looks as though the process of remedying that issue has begun.
It has recently been made public that the city of Bellevue is seeking grants to extend the trail into downtown Bellevue, a project that would be completed in 2014 IF funding can be secured. The plan calls for building an 8 foot wide sidewalk on the city owned right of way along the southern side of U.S. 20, most of which would involve widening existing sidewalk in town. From downtown the trail route would continue as a marked road route down Southwest St and join the existing marked route across the southeastern part of the city that leads to the Huron County portion of the NCIT. However, it was also mentioned that if this project does happen, a second and similar project could be attempted along the rest of U.S. 20 across the eastern half of Bellevue, which would connect to the rest of the NCIT to complete a designated bike/pedestrian path across the entire length of the city.
It is not possible to build the trail along the former NYC property in Bellevue because Norfolk Southern Railway owns the entire stretch between CR 177 and Prairie Rd, and part of it is still active rail line. While a glorified sidewalk may not be a cyclist's favorite medium for a trail, it looks to be the only possible alternative to the exiting marked road routes that currently direct traffic between the two trail segments. Hopefully this idea is able to be funded and carried out.
Ran from downtown Clyde to just outside the City of Bellevue last weekend. This is a brand new 4.5 mile section which connects perfectly through downtown Clyde with plenty of parking. There is also a lot near the Bellevue end. Much of the trail is in the open, but there are some pretty sections...especially between Durnwald Drive and CR 175. It would be nice if the trail actually went into Bellevue. It sort of ends abruptly at at township road just outside the west end of the city....maybe some day.
I dropped the boys off at Cedar Point (don't do coasters) and drove the ~45 minutes over to Clyde. Plenty of parking at the start, but no facilities (there are if you start in Elmore). There's a port-a-potty a couple miles into the ride with a sheltered bench though. Being an old rail line, it's as flat as a board and there are portions of this trail that are laser straight...when coupled with some open field areas, the wind really comes into play. My odometer said the trail was just shy of 22 miles versus the 19 miles TrailLink says. The trail itself is in great shape with excellent pavement and without tree roots or potholes. There are a couple of nice parks along the way. The trail breaks in Fremont, but the connecting roads are well marked and you are taken through a nice neighborhood of beautiful old homes. There's a short stretch along a four lane road that had me checking the rear view mirror often. Overall, a nice trail...and a heck of a lot better than sitting on a bench waiting for the kids to get off of Millennium Force!
We're on a cross-country tour and this was a big improvement over the shoulder of US20. The trail is nearly all paved and in good condition. Most of the side roads are marked. There are mile markers.
I'd ripped a hole in my shorts earlier and stopped in the trailside shop in Elmore. It's a full shop with a good inventory. They do rentals. Mike was very helpful and gave us an improved route to Perrysburg.
Riding the North Coast trail from Fremont to Elmore last Saturday, I noticed that now Elmore has both a trailside ice cream shop and a bicycle shop. The bicycle shop is a branch of the Fremont Cycle and Fitnesss bike store and talking with the staff person there, they said they are planning to remain open all year. They also do bike rentals. Also, in Lindsey, the local store/ice cream shop has a sign right next to the trail, inviting trail users to stop by.
The pavment has set and the paint stripes are dry the North Coast Inland Trail is OPEN for riders from Clyde to Elmore Ohio. You can now nearly cross the entire county on this clean rail trail with many amenities. Connectors on both sides of Fremont involves some city street traffic however the trail way is clearly marked at all turns through town to get you there safe. Main Street is the fastest route but be sure it is very very dangerous to ride through on Rt20, I recomend following the trail signs through side streets.
Clyde, Lindsey, Fremont, and Elmore all have excellent parks and public spaces. Nice coffie cafes andlocal shopping. You will find a well stocked bicycle shop in Fremont for any accessories or on the spot repairs. Wi-fi locations that I know of are Fremont library and Lindsey cafe. Clyde library probably has internet also but I am not aware for sure also same for Elmore. All the MEGA chain stores are available in Fremont for your shopping or dining needs. Hotels and motels available throughout the county. Old Orchard Inn is directly on the trail path in fremont and likely has lower rates than the big chain hotels out at the big plaza.
Youll be riding parallel to the Ohio turnpike, in fact crossing it just east of Elmore, so nearly all cell phones will have great coverage in this corridor. I can not emphasize enuf that there are LOADS of parks throughout the county so plan lots of nice rests along this 20-30 mile section. Toward the late summer the sunsets line right up with the trail. What a beauty to be traveling west and enjoy watching the orange glow cradle itself into the trail ahead of you. Also sunrises lineing up similarly in the AM. Generally not heavy traffic on this trail in the mornings. Enjoy!!!
I am a volunteer on part of this trail between Fremont and Clyde, responsible for litter control of a rather large section and I must say that this trail started out great and just keeps getting better. A few years ago it was extended into downtown Fremont across the scenic Sandusky River and soon the section between Northwest Fremont and Elmore will be open (Fall 2008). This has been a project long in the making and there is something for everyone along this trail. Come and see!
"This is a great section of the Northcoast Inland Trail with nice flatlander riding and parks everywere. The Fremont section has some mild and enjoyable elevation changes and LOADS of nice city parks. Great destination for a stop including grocery, library (with internet access), local cafes, and a great local bike shop with full service. Your biggest problem on the fremont section will be choosing wich park to stop at for your picnic lunch. Have fun!!!"
In October 2005 this segment of the North Coast trail was extended another mile or two west from its earlier western termimus. The new extension takes you across the Sandusky River across an old railroad bridge.
This is a great trail and a real asset to the community. Not too long but birds seem to love the flora along the trail. I can't wait to see this trail developed into something a bit longer.
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