Ohio & Erie Canalway

Story of the Byway

The Ohio & Erie Canalway Byway follows the path of the historic Ohio & Erie Canal between Dover, OH and Cleveland. The 110-mile meandering route preserves and follows not only the path of the namesake canal itself, but also chronicles the evolution of transportation systems and many of the industries and communities which developed in conjunction with these systems. It is one of three primary transportation routes that allow exploration and celebration of the momentous Canalway and its landscapes. You'll often see or cross the Towpath Trail, a 90+mile long pedestrian route and bikeway, and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Driving the length of the Byway shows the diversity of our region and the route intersects with 58 communities of all different sizes and experiences. In the northern sections closest to Lake Erie, an industrial landscape dominates views with a complex matrix of bridges, smokestacks and factories while the southern sections travel through rolling farmsteads, quaint villages, nature preserves and river corridors. The Byway travels through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, one of the nation's most visited, and two cities that were the backbone of this nation's industry and innovation: Cleveland and Akron.

In Cleveland, the industrial heritage is apparent. You’ll uncover the story of Ohio’s industrial legacy as you pass factories, warehouses and travel past a working steel mill or watch skyscraper-sized barges navigate the crooked Cuyahoga River. In Akron, you'll hug Summit Lake, a natural glacial lake that was the highpoint of the canal system and is now a peaceful respite on your journey.

Along the Byway’s midsection, you’ll see evidence of the golden days of the Canal era in picturesque towns such as Canal Fulton, where you can see a restored canal boat and Zoar, a town settled by German Separatists in 1817 who subsequently built 7-miles of the canal. The town is now a National Historic Landmark.