American Indians called the river "Ka-ih-ogh-ha" which meant "crooked" because it required paddling 90 miles to travel a distance of only 30 miles. Humans have made this area home for nearly 12,000 years, and in 1786, Moses Cleveland arrived here to serve as a land agent for the Connecticut Land Company and helped to lay out the city now named for him.
The Ohio and Erie Canal opened in 1827 between Cleveland and Akron, paralleling and partially watered by the curvy Cuyahoga River, thus replacing the serpentine river as the primary transportation artery. The canal was part of a national system of canals connecting the Midwest to the East Coast and launching commercial development in the area. The canals were replaced by the burgeoning railroad system in the 1860s.
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park preserves 33,000 acres along 22 miles of the Cuyahoga River, an area first set aside as an urban park in 1974 and elevated to national park status in 2000. The National Park System administers the park in cooperation with Cleveland Metroparks and Summit County Metro Para, both of which own property within the boundaries.
Cuyahoga National Park Towpath Trail
The Towpath Trail runs for 81 miles and is still growing in length, with 101 miles being the goal, as it extends both north and south beyond the national park boundaries. The surface ranges from paved to earthen to crushed limestone as it passes through various jurisdictions and is mostly ADA accessible. Here is a section around the Boston Store which is just north of I-80. Note the canal to the left...
Here is one of the original 146 locks which managed to raise the vessels 1206 feet along the length of the canal with the trail to the left...
Views of the twisting Cuyahoga River come and go as the river wends its meandering way, while the canal travels its straight course...
Several communities remain along the route of the canal and trail...
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad runs from Cleveland to Canton, Ohio, year around, and offers "Bike Aboard!" trips with a baggage car equipped to carry bikes allowing riders to bike one way and return on the train. Rangers on board give talks about the natural features and history of the area.
Cuyahoga Valley NP official website
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Bike and Hike Trail of the Summit County Metro Park System
The Bike and Hike Trail is one of the oldest "rail-to-trail" conversions in the country, and 16 miles of its 33+ mile total travel through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It is an asphalt trail and is managed by Summit County's Metro Parks system. Akron, Bedford, and Cleveland Railroad which was the longest electrified railway when built in 1895. Service ended in 1932.
As you can see, the scenery is wonderful as the trail meanders through lush forests...
...and passes by 75 feet high Brandywine Falls...
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