Grammy on the Go
By Karen Shadrach
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP), nestled between the cities of Cleveland and Akron, offers us an unexpected escape. We are blessed with rustling leaves, winding trails, and Cuyahoga River, along with the rhythmic whistle of a train that invites us to slow down and soak it all in. One of the most unique and perfect ways to explore this national treasure with your grandkids is by combining bicycling with a scenic ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR).
Biking is easy in CVNP, especially on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. It is flat, scenic, and kid-friendly, which is ideal for biking with grandchildren! This trail is a partially asphalted, and mostly crushed limestone path that follows the historic route once used by mules pulling canal boats in the 1800s. You can customize how far you want to bike based on your energy and age of grandkids. Most popular segments include the Peninsula to Boston Mill which is approximately 3.5 miles one-way, or Peninsula to Brecksville Station which is approximately nine miles one-way.
What makes CVNP truly special is their Explorer program that lets you bike one way and ride the train back, or vice versa! Bikes are loaded in a designated car, and it is a huge hit with the kids. The cost is usually around $5 per person with a bike. There are a total of eight boarding stations throughout the park, and popular ones include Peninsula Depot, Brecksville, Indigo Lake, and Akron Northside Station.
The train is running through October, Thursdays through Sundays. Check out the website: cvsr.org for a complete up-to-date schedule and tickets. You can purchase tickets on the day of your ride at one of the stations, if you do not buy online beforehand. First, plan your ride, choose your start, and end stations. Hop on the towpath and pedal at your own pace along the canal. Stop at waterfalls, visit historic lock sites, or grab a snack/lunch in one of the trail towns. Then, catch the train back! The train runs multiple times a day in season (May-October). Just flag the train down at a station, waving your arms above your head, and relax as the conductor loads your bike and punches your ticket. Some things not to miss along the way are Brandywine Falls-this 65-foot cascade is a short detour from the Towpath and one of the park’s crown jewels. Another is a stop in Peninsula Village, which is the unofficial heart of the park and home to art galleries, an ice cream shop, and the century-old Winking Lizard Tavern. Of course, keep on the look-out and make stops on your trail ride to view deer, beavers, turtles, herons, and even bald eagles are common sites, especially early morning or near dusk.
No bike? Rentals are available at nearby outfitters in Peninsula and some even include a train ticket.
What is special about riding with your grandchildren is that as you ride along, you talk-really talk. About school, favorite ice cream flavors, their friends and how bugs are cooler than they seem. Take your time, make stops for pre-packed snacks and water breaks. The joy of biking with a child isn’t just the ride-it’s the presence. The lack of distraction, the simplicity. You pedal, you talk, you laugh.
You are never too old for a good adventure. Riding the train and biking through CVNP isn’t just fun-it is a way to connect with the region’s history and support local tourism. It’s a reminder that adventure doesn’t have to mean mountains or airfare-sometimes it’s just a train whistle away. If you have a bike and a bit of free time, I highly recommend planning a ride this Fall with your grandchild. It’s more than exercise — it’s connection!
Photos by Karen Shadrach
