Ohio to Erie Bike Trail
Self-Guided Bike Tour
Cincinnati - Columbus - Cleveland
From the Ohio River to Lake Erie
Choose your preferred start date
April through October
Ohio to Erie Trail
Self-guided Bike Tours
Ride across Ohio from the Ohio River to the shores of Lake Erie. The Ohio to Erie Trail connects Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland through wooded river valleys, small towns, Amish Country, and the historic Ohio & Erie Canal corridor.
Choose our 326-mile, eight-day tour from Cincinnati to Cleveland, a three-day southern tour from Cincinnati to Columbus, or a five-day northern tour from Columbus to Cleveland. Stop for lunch in a trail town, explore a covered bridge, and settle into a hotel at the end of each day. You ride independently, with your lodging and route details arranged through Crossroads.
The five- and eight-day tours include approximately 18 miles of road riding through Amish Country. These hilly country roads are shared with horse-drawn buggies and bicycles, and local drivers are accustomed to seeing both. This section is not part of the three-day southern tour.
Pick the date you want to start. We will check lodging and service availability and help put your trip together.
Our tours include Accommodations, Breakfast, Digital Mapping & Voice Navigation and Electronic Itinerary. You can also add Shuttle Service, Luggage Shuttle, Bike Rentals and Extra Accommodations to your tour.
We highly recommend booking protection or trip insurance for all tours.
Check out our tours
Self-Guided Ohio to Erie BIKE Tours
* Price for Single: Price for solo cyclist or one person in a room.
Groups of 7 or more, or returning guests: receive 5% discount.
Tours available April-October
Ohio to Erie Trail Map
Ride South to North
FAQ's - Ohio to Erie Trail
What are the trail conditions?
The Southern Half (Cincinnati to Columbus) is almost entirely flat, smooth, and fully paved with asphalt or concrete.
The Northern Half (Columbus to Cleveland the surface becomes much more varied. While there is still plenty of pavement, you will encounter significant stretches of hard-packed, crushed Wisconsin limestone.
About 9% of the total journey requires riding on paved public streets. The most notable road section is a 18-mile stretch of rolling hills through the rural Amish Country in Holmes County from Mt. Vernon to Massillon.
What is included in your self-guided tours?
Crossroads Bike Tours is the #1 Tour Operator for Self-guided tours in North America. Our Self-guided tours on the Ohio to Erie Trail include your accommodations at great providers, GPS mapping and voice directions, electronic itinerary with restaurants recommendations and e-charging locations, themed t-shirt and patch.
You can also add shuttle from one end to the other, luggage shuttle, bike rentals (hybrid and e-bike) and extra hotel nights before or after your tour.
What is the best direction to travel?
At Crossroads Bike Tours we prefer travelling South to North due to the our services move in this direction.
Where do I start my tour?
We start our tours in Covington, KY (Cincinnati) for the 8 and 3 day tour and Columbus for the 5 day tour. You will need to pay for parking at both of these locations for the length of the tour.
You can start in Cleveland on Day 1 and be shuttled to Cincinnati to start your tour. You would arrive around 1pm.
Best time of year to tour?
The trails are open from April to October but we find the best time to ride is Mid-May to Mid-June with less bugs and humidity then again Mid-Sept. to Mid-Oct. for the temperatures and fall colors.
Can I start my tour on another day?
Yes, you can send in an inquiry for a different start day based on availability. If you would like to start on another day, just email or fill out our "contact" information and let us know what day you prefer. We will work to make your tour happen.
What is your cancellation and change policy?
Cancellation and Change Policy - if Booking Protection or Trip Insurance isn't utilized
Deposits of 50% of tour and 100% of all “Extras” are due at the time of tour reservation.
Balances are due 60 days before the tour – your tour can be cancelled if balance is not paid on time
Changes: $40 Change Fee for each change after 7 days of purchase
Cancellations: If you give notice of cancellation before the tour:
91+ days - 100% refund less $250 per person or can change date for $150
90-60 days – 50% refund or can change date for $150
59-30 days – 25% refund or can change date for $250
29-0 days – No refund or transfers
Fees are not included in the refund
Written notice by e-mail no later than the above deadlines to apply proper credit to your account. tours@crossroadsbiketours.com
We highly recommend Booking Protection or Trip Insurance. We have seen many reasons for people need to cancel due to accident, illness, family members having illness, jury or military duty, fire and pregnancy. All of these are covered with our Booking Protection, which is available to most people to purchase at checkout, or you can purchase your own trip insurance or check your homeowners’ or credit card policy for coverage.
What is Booking Protection?
Crossroads Bike Tours has a Booking Protection Option available at the checkout of your tour from a third-party provider XCover. Our customers can gain access to comprehensive coverage for a fee that varies from 6 to 7% of their booking total. This will entitle you to a refund if you are unable to attend the experience due to any of the reasons covered. Listed below are some of the covered reasons:
* Transportation disruption
* Accident or illness of ticket holder or member of immediate family (not pre-existing conditions)
* Jury or military duty
* Personal emergency (e.g. burglary or fire)
* Pregnancy
* Extreme weather causing a delay in reaching the destination
Booking Protection is not Travel Insurance and does not provide health insurance when traveling.
Customers will have the option to add this at checkout. If a customer uses a payment plan the booking protection fee will be collected at the time of the first payment. All claims will be handled directly through our provider “Cover Genius” and not Crossroads Bike Tours. Please read the entire eligibility requirements at check out of your tour purchase for complete details.
Not every customer is eligible for this insurance due to State Regulations. If you do not receive Booking Protection at checkout, it cannot be added after purchase. Trip Insurance can be purchased on your own through several different companies after purchase such as Allianz. If you are eligible for this coverage, you will find it on our booking site after the “contact details” are provided and before payment