Skip to main content
Save up to 70% on select items at our CLEARANCE SALE! Shop now... 

East Rim Mountain Bike Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

On November 2, 2015, the first mountain biking trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park officially opened. This trail is thanks to the advocacy and fund-raising work of the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park (through their TRAILS FOREVER program), and the work of professional trail-builders with the help of volunteers from the Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Association.

The first section open to the public was the East Rim Trail, a 2.3-mile loop. There are now two main loops, with two additional side trails (see details below).

Before heading to the trails, check to make sure they're open by following @CVNPmtb on X/Twitter. The trails are monitored by volunteers on a regular basis, and the status applies to all trails -- if one is open, they are all open; if one is closed, they are all closed.

See also

Directions

The East Rim Trailhead is located at 281 Boston Mills Rd, Peninsula, OH 44264. Mountain bikers should park in the gravel lot on the south side of Boston Mills Road.

By bicycle, the CVNP Mountain Bike Trails are accessible from the the Summit Metro Parks Bike & Hike Trail between Boston Mills Road and Hines Hill Road. If you don't mind riding up a very steep and rough hill, you can take this route from the Lock 29 Trailhead in Peninsula.

There is a porta-potty toilet near the parking lot. There is no running water available.

East Rim Trail

Formerly known as "Phase 1," this is the original 2.3-mile loop that was the first mountain bike trail open to the public in CNVP. The East Rim Trail is suitable for all levels of mountain bikers, from beginners through intermediate to advanced riders. The trail alternates riding direction every other day: ride the loop clockwise on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; ride the loop counter-clockwise on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Either way, the first half is mostly downhill, and the second half involves long climbs uphill. There are some tight curves, short rock gardens, and the opportunity to do jumps, but all jumps can be ridden at a low speed to keep both wheels on the ground.

From the parking lot, ride north on the paved bike path for about 100 yards, and the entrance to the East Rim Trail will be on your left.

Post Line

This is a short side trail off of the East Rim Trail loop that is recommended for advanced mountain bikers only. There are large rock gardens and other technical features. The direction of the Post Line will match the daily direction of the East Rim Trail; when riding East Rim clockwise, the entrance to Post Line will be on your left near the beginning of the East Rim loop. When riding East Rim counter-clockwise, the entrance to Post Line will be on your right near the end of the East Rim loop. Continue in the same direction once the Post Line rejoins you with the East Rim Trail.

Entrance to the Post Line trail when riding the East Rim Trail clockwise.

Entrance to the Post Line trail when riding the East Rim Trail counter-clockwise.

Lamb Loop

Formerly known as "Phase 2," the Lamp Loop is the newer 4.5-mile trail loop, first opened to the public on May 1, 2018. There are more uphills on Lamp Loop compared to East Rim, but most of them are shorter and gentler. There are a few short rock gardens. The riding direction of the Lamp Loop alternates every other day, matching the direction of the East Rim Trail. Ride the loop clockwise on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; ride counter-clockwise on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

From the parking lot, ride north on the paved bike path, continuing past the East Rim Trail and across the bridge over the Ohio Turnpike, and the entrance to the Lamp Loop will be on your left.

Edson Run

This is an advanced/expert-level downhill trail that cuts through the middle of the Lamp Loop. The entrance is near the beginning of the Lamp Loop, and the bottom of Edson Run leaves you near the middle of the Lamb Loop. Follow the Lamp Loop back to the start based on the daily direction of Lamb Loop: on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, turn LEFT to continue counter-clockwise on Lamb Loop; on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, turn RIGHT to continue clockwise on Lamb Loop.


Permalink for this page: http://centurycycles.com/goto/EastRim