Miami and Erie Canal Towpath Trail Grand Rapids

9.3 miles (15 km)

The Miami & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is�a scenic recreational path in Ohio, following the historic route of the Miami & Erie Canal, a waterway that once connected Cincinnati to Toledo.�The trail offers opportunities for hiking, biking, and enjoying the natural beauty and historical remnants of the canal era.
A key feature of the route is the collection of old canal locks and other surviving parts of Ohio's 19th-century canal network. These historical structures offer a glimpse into a time when canals were essential for commerce and travel. Interpretive signs along the trail provide educational context on the canal's history and its eventual replacement by railroads.
Begin your walk or ride at Farnsworth Metropark, where the Miami and Erie Canal Towpath Trail follows the old canal bed through floodplain woodland marked by cottonwood, sycamore, and walnut trees. The crushed-stone path is level and well-maintained, reflecting its history as a mule-towed route for flat-bottom boats.
After roughly 2 miles you’ll reach Bend View Overlook, which offers sweeping views down the Maumee River valley. Continuing west, the trail leads into Providence Metropark at Grand Rapids, where you can see Lock 44—the only original functioning canal lock in Ohio—and the restored Isaac Ludwig Grist Mill. The route finishes near the village centre of Grand Rapids, about 9 miles from your start, blending industrial heritage with peaceful waterside scenery.

Miami and Erie Canal Towpath Trail Grand Rapids Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

New - Walks and Cycle Routes Near Me Map - Waymarked Routes and Mountain Bike Trails>>