North Coast Inland Trail

County Line Rd. to Downtown Elyria

The North Coast Inland Trail, known as the skinniest park in the district, is a more than 29-mile trail connecting Lake Erie to the rural fields of western Lorain County through the bustling streets of Elyria and Lorain. Several access points are available along the trail.

Notable Bike Trail Access Points in Lorain County (North East to South West):

MILE 0.0: Lakeside Landing, 401 Lakeside Ave., Lorain, OH 44052**

MILE 1.1: Century Park, 1955 East Erie Ave., Lorain, OH 44052

MILE 6.4: Black River Reservation (Day’s Dam Picnic Area), 2720 East 31st St., Lorain, OH 44055

MILE 9: Black River Reservation (Bur Oak Picnic Area), 6150 Ford Rd., Elyria, OH 44035

MILE 10: Black River Reservation (High Meadows Picnic Area), 1750 Ford Rd., Elyria, OH 44035

MILE 12.5: Cascade Park, 387 Furnace St., Elyria, OH 44035

MILE 14.3: Gateway Trailhead, 6302 Gateway Blvd., Elyria, OH 44035

MILE 19.7: Butternut Ridge Trailhead, 44342 Butternut Ridge Rd., Oberlin, OH 44074

MILE 22.5: Access to the NCIT is available near 265 South Main St., Oberlin, OH 44074**

MILE 27: Access to the NCIT is available near the Kipton Community Park, 57 Rosa St., Kipton, OH 44049**

**PLEASE NOTE: These locations are not owned by the Lorain County Metro Parks, thus visitors should park at their own risk.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Skinniest Park in Lorain County

The North Coast Inland Trail (NCIT) was created in 1992 when seven park districts agreed to develop a system connecting trails in northwest Ohio. On August 15, 1998 the Lorain County Metro Parks opened a section of the trail measuring 148 acres.

The majority of the NCIT is a 12-foot-wide paved trail built over an abandoned Toledo, Norwalk, and Cleveland Railroad line. The NCIT runs for 65 miles from Lorain to Toledo with some sections still being built. The Lorain County Metro Parks’ portion runs from Lake Erie in Lorain to the county line in Wakeman.

HISTORY

The Toledo, Norwalk, and Cleveland Railroad

The Toledo, Norwalk, and Cleveland Railroad was constructed in 1851 and served as a vital link between Chicago and Cleveland. This rail line lead to the founding of several small villages including Kipton. In 1866, the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad built a line from Elyria to Oberlin which then continued west using the Toledo, Norwalk, and Cleveland Railway.

These railways allowed for the expansion of businesses, agricultural interests, and several cities along its route including Oberlin and Elyria. The railroad hauled freight, lumber, coal, produce and passengers to and from the rich farmlands of this region until its abandonment in 1975.

PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS

Please wear a helmet when biking or skating!

1. No alcoholic beverages are permitted.

2. Please stay on the trail. Land adjacent to the trail is private property and is not available for public use.

3. Non-motorized vehicles only. (No skateboards, snowmobiles, or equestrian traffic.) Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are permitted. Users may encounter park district vehicles on the trail. If any other vehicles are encountered, please notify the park immediately.

4. Due to natural conditions, the trail may be closed without notice.

5. Dogs are only permitted on a hand-held leash no longer than 6 feet. You are expected to clean up after your pets.

6. Normal rules of the road apply. Pedestrians have the right-of-way. Users should keep to the right, riding no more than two abreast, and signal with an audible warning when passing, such as “passing to the left.” Users must be aware and obey all traffic and trail signs.

7. Please place trash in appropriate containers.

8. The Lorain County section of the North Coast Inland Trail is a multi-use facility. Users may expect to encounter bicyclists, in-line skaters, walkers, runners, and wheelchairs. Use courtesy while sharing the trail.

9. Parking is permitted in designated areas only. Roadside parking is strictly prohibited.

Thank you for your consideration

INTERSECTIONS & DISTANCES

Below are two lists of points and distances where the North Coast Inland trail intersects with a roadway. These two lists are the same, except that one list begins at the northeast end (Elyria) and travels southwest and the other begins at the southwest end (Kipton) and travels northeast. Between each listed roadway is a distance in miles and this represents the amount of distance along the trail between the two roadways.