Lorain County Heritage is the non-profit subsidiary of Visit Lorain County. The mission of Lorain County Heritage, Inc. is to preserve, promote and provide education regarding Lorain County’s unique history, culture, arts and natural environment. Lorain County Heritage, Inc. encourages responsible travel to and inside Lorain County.

Thank you to the Lorain County Engineer's office who fund and maintain the signage along the Back Roads and Beaches Route.

BACK ROADS & BEACHESA Lorain County Heritage Program

8025 Leavitt Rd. • Amherst, OH 44001800.334.1673

www.backroadsandbeaches.comFor area travel information: www.visitloraincounty.com

Birmingham

Amherst

Lorain

North Ridgeville

Avon

Avon Lake

Kipton

Oberlin

LaGrange

Grafton

Wellington

Vermilion

Penfield

Sheffield Lake

Elyria

Sheffield

LAKE ERIE

58

2

511

303

60

511

60

20

20

20 20

254

254

83

162

18 18

57

57

82

10

301

301

58

58

80

80

90

8090

83

611

611

611611

6

6

511

113

113

113

57Vermilion–Lorain Water Trail

L O R A I N C O U N T Y * N O R T H C E N T R A L O H I O

BACK ROADS & BEACHESbike and multisport route

Hotel/Motel Restroom

Bike Shop

Coin Laundry

Swimming Beach or Pool

Dining Art Museum/Gallery

Historical Site/Museum

Hiking

Kayak, Paddleboat, Canoe or SUP Rental

Ice Cream

Winery

Camping

Parking

HospitalInfo Source/Visitor Center

Bed & Breakfast/Lodges/Cabins

City Map Key

The Back Roads and Beaches Route is miles of rolling, rural roads with beautiful scenery that ranges from farmland and forest to the nautical flavor of the Lake Erie shoreline. The route provides scenic and low-traffic routes that lead riders through some of Ohio’s most spectacular landscape. It also highlights some of the area’s most relevant history, culture and arts. Of course, every touring cyclist always looks for great food. You’ll find fast food along the route but Back Road and Beaches highlights those eateries that feature locally grown produce, organics, healthy choices and spectacular outdoor views of our natural areas. The route is perfect for a two- or three-day visit. You’ll find lodges, hotels, bed and breakfasts and camping along the way. Some are a bit off the trail but can be easily reached by bike. All lodging indicated on the map are cyclist-friendly.

The tour will take you through several small towns and cities in North Central Ohio. Individually, each town is a delightful visit. Combined in a single tour, cyclists will experience a memorable and fulfilling environmental, cultural, historical and recreational tour. Hard-core athletes can jump on the trail and complete a multi-sport adventure that combines

cycling with mountain biking, swimming, trekking, kayaking, roller blading or running through varied and scenic terrain. Cycling tourists can take a leisurely spin through the route while immersing themselves in the culture, arts and history of Oberlin, the nautical charm and maritime history of Vermilion, or the

beautiful beaches and lake views in Lorain, Sheffield Lake and Avon Lake.

Vermilion: The charm of the New England style Historic Harbour Town 1837 district is complimented by waterfront attractions along the scenic Vermilion River and the shores of Lake Erie. Interesting shops and museums reflect the flavor of this lakefront town. Take a break, dine along the water and watch the river traffic go by.

Lorain: You will find one of Lake Erie's finest beaches and waterfront parks. Lakeview Beach and Park in Lorain. Just

east of Lakeview, you can visit the mouth of the Black River and view the scenic Charles Berry Bascule bridge.

Oberlin: The funky little City of Oberlin is home to Oberlin College. Oberlin is unique in its ties to the Underground Railroad. This is a bicycle-friendly community that loves visiting cyclists. Several eateries specialize and serve locally-grown, organic, vegan and vegetarian cuisine. Oberlin is home to many fine museums and galleries that welcome cyclists.

lake

erie

padd

ler

Thorn Mountain Bike Trail

Patchwork Trails: Quilt Barn Tour of Lorain County

511

58

S PLEASANT

S PARK st

SPRING st

N PARK st

S PROFESSOR st

SOUTH MAIN st

WEST COLLEGE st

WEST LORAIN st

WEST HAMILTON stEAST HAMILTON st

EAST LORAIN st

VINE st

ELM

GROVELAND st

PARSONS RD

MORGAN st FOREST st

EAST COLLEGE st

PROSPECT st.

CEDAR st.

PYLE RD

City Recrea�onal ComplexLorain CountyMetro ParksSplash Zone

OberlinCo�egeTa�anSquare

Bi� LongNature Preserve

URRSculpture & HealingGarden

Fir�Church

Bardwe� House (private)

181 E. Lorain

Weltzheimer Johnson House(Frank Lloyd Wright House)

URRPark

MLK Park & EvansHouse

Hi�oricalWe�woodCemetery

URRCemetery Tour& Monument

Numerous eateries, pubs, ga�eries, shops and museums

downtown.

oberlin

URRCenter/

GasholderBuilding

OHIO ST

LIBERTY AVE

VERMILION RD

WEST RIVER RD

W. LAKE RD

MAIN STMAIN ST

WASHINGTON ST

SOUTH ST

60

6

6KayakRental

There are a number ofop�ons throughout the downtown area for food, sho�ing and services

Vermilion–Lorain Water Trail

LAKE ERIE

vermilion

LIBERTY AVE

6

6

58

57

57

611

611

611

E. ERIE RD

W 5TH ST

CALIFORNIA

W 14TH

LAKESIDE

C. BERRY BRIDGE

W. ERIE RD

BROADWAY AVE

KANSAS AVE

OBERLIN AVE

ROOT RD

LAKE BREEZE RD

BROADWAY AVE

COLORADO ave

COLORADO AVE

LorainLighthouse

URR SiteBurre�

Home�ead

URR SiteStaon 100La� Stop to

Freedom

KayakRental Paddleboard

Rental

Vermilion–Lorain Water Trail

LC Metro ParksKayak Launch

Site

LAKEVIEWPARK

Jet Expressdock and boarding

site

FrenchCreek

Reservaon

LAKE ERIE

US Steel Mi�Site

LORAIN

Follow the spur

route signs to explore dow

n-tow

n, signifi cant U

nderground Railroad and other interesting sites.

LAKE ERIEMOORE RD

BELMARCROSSINGS WAY

AVON BELDEN RD

JAYCOX RD

ARMOUR RD

LEAR RD

MILLER RD

N ABBE RD

LAKE BREEZE RD

WALKER RD

REDWOOD BLVD

WEBBER RDCHESTER RDCOLORADO AVE

83

90

6

6

Spur to winery.

Spur to winery.

103rdOVI Civil War

Museum

PeterMi�er House

Museumelectric blvd.

Sheffield lake/

avon lake

Birmingham

South Amherst

Amherst

Lorain

North Ridgeville

Avon

Avon Lake

Kipton

Oberlin

LaGrange

Grafton

Columbia Station

Wellington

Vermilion

Penfield

Rochester

Sheffield Lake

Elyria

Sheffield

NORTH RIDGE

SOUTH ST

PYLE RDPITTS RD

GARFIELD RD

GORE ORPHANAGE GORE ORPHANAGE

WEST RIVER

SPERRY

DARROW

DEAN RD GRIGGS RD

JONES RD

JONES RD

HUGHES

BAIRD RD

GIFFORD RDGiff

ord Rd

AUSTIN RD

WEBSTER RD

HALL

AUER

RD

OBER

LIN

RD

E. HAMILTONW. HAMILTONPARSONS PARSONS

BUTTER

NUT RID

GE

DURK

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D

WALKER RD

MEISTER RD

LAKE RD

GRISWOLD RD

BROADWAY AVE

LEAR RDMIDDLE RIDGE RD

OBER

LIN-EL

YRIA

RD

NORTH RIDGE RD milan aveQUARRY RD

GARFIELD RD

QUARRY RDQUARRY RD

VERMILION RD

BAUMHART RD

MURRAY RIDGE

GREEN RD

BAUMHART RD

N. LAKE

MAIN ST

BROAD ST

RUSSIA RD.

COLORADO AVE

PECK WADSWORTH RD

GORE ORPHANAGE RD

New London Eastern Rd.

WEST

RD

DIAG

ONAL

RD

DIAGO

NAL R

D

WASH

ING

TON

PORTMAN RD

VERMILION RD

LAKE ERIE

Mileage InfoNorth Loop of Back Roads and Beaches = 33 MilesSouth Route (Findley State Park – LC Metro Parks Path) = 15 MilesVermilion – Avon Lake spur along Lake Erie = 22.5 Miles

58

2

511

303

60

511

60

20

20

20 20

254

254

83

162

18 18

57

57

82

10

301

301

58

58

80

80

90

8090

83

611

611

611611

6

6

511

113

113

113

57

North Coa� Inland Trail can be used to get to

lodging in Elyria.

Vermilion River Reserva�on

Many URRsites in Oberlin.See map ca�-out

URR Site -Burre� Home�ead

Carlisle

Reserva�on

Findley State Park&Thorn Mountain BikeTrail

We�ington Reserva�on

Caley Reserva�on

Cascade Park

Schoepfle G

arden

This is our o�ice. We love cycli�s! Come in and see us for info.

CommonGround Canopy Tours

Vermilion–Lorain Water Trail

24 Miles toCedar Point

24 Miles toCleveland

Back Roads and Beaches Main Bike RouteBack Roads and Beaches Bike Route Spur to points of intere�Bike Path-Lorain County Metro Parks

Lodging

Re�room

Bike Shop Hiking

Underground Railroad Site

Winery

BeachPrivate Campground

Kayak, SUP, Canoe, and/or Paddleboat rental

Patchwork Trails QuiltBarn Loca�on

Parking

Hospital

For details on a�rac�ons, re�aurants, lodging, wineries and more, see:www.backroadsandbeaches.com

L O R A I N C O U N T Y * N O R T H C E N T R A L O H I O

BACK ROADS AND BEACHES BIKE AND MULTISPORT ROUTE

No warranty is made or intended as to the safety or fitness of the highways, roads, streets, paths or other byways for bicycle travel. These are merely suggestions and require the exercise of caution and discretion by an individual. The State of Ohio, its counties, cities and other subdivisions as well as their elected officials, officers and employees, Lorain County Heritage, the Lorain County Visitors Bureau and sponsors of Back Roads and Beaches, disclaim any responsibility whatsoever and shall not be liable in any manner for loss, damage, or injury occasioned by bicyclists who, of their own volition, travel along the highways, roads, streets, paths, or other byways of Ohio

www.MetroParks.cc

23 S. Main St. • Oberlin, 44074 • 440.774.7978swervebikeshop.com

Sales, Service, Rentals, and SmilesNew and used bike sales, full service repair shop, bike

rentals, ride maps, clothing and accessories. Conveniently located in downtown Oberlin.

Bicycle Bills, LLC5523 South St. (Rt. 60) •Vermilion440-967-BIKE (2453) • www.bicyclebills.comYour Complete Bicycle Store with sales and service departments, serving the North Coast Area since 1964. Certified Bike Fitter

Findley State Park25381 State Route 58, Wellingtonwww.ohiostateparks.org/findleyHiking, Biking, Picnicking, Disc Golf, Fishing, Camping and Birding! Info:440.647.4490, to make reservations at any Ohio State Park, call 1.866.644.6727.

Captains Corner Marina655 West River Rd., Vermilion, OH440.967.KAYAK (5292)westriverkayak.com

Rentals, Lessons, SalesPaddleboard, Kayaks, Canoes

11005 Gore Orphanage Rd. • Henrietta Townshipwww.vermilionvalleyvineyards.com440.965.5205Set in tranquil surroundings featuring fine vinifera and fruit wines, food, and live music.Seasonal Days & Hours • Open Sunday

14240 Baird Rd., Oberlincommongroundcenter.org | 440.707.2044 | #izipped

A thrilling, 3-hour treetop adventure!

7 North Main St. • Oberlin, 44074440.775.1111 • 800.376.4173 • www.oberlininn.comExceptional Amenities, Restful Accom-modations, Award-Winning DiningAn ideal hotel for business, leisure, weddings, reunions and the academic community.

2 Miles West of Historic Vermilion800.475.9690 • www.lodgesonthelake.comRedefining lakeside hospitality. Impeccably clean nightly and weekly cottages with private sandy beach. Restaurants, wineries and shopping nearby.

A local bicycle club for over 40 yearswww.lorainwheelmen.org

The Sandstone Suite at 5 Corners Bed & Breakfast175 Beaver Ct., Amherst 440.984.3084 • www.5cornersbnb.com

Two bedroom suite perfect for couples or families in historic downtown Amherst with wine cellars, restaurants and shops. Easy ride to Lake Erie, Oberlin College and bike trails.

Bike Shop/Repair

Outdoor Adventure

Wineries

Lodging

Info Sources

Check out these awesome, bike-friendly businesses that support Back Roads and Beaches and are located along the route. Find their number on the map and you'll find them!

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3

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Qu

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511

58

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WEST LORAIN st

WEST HAMILTON st EAST HAMILTON st

EAST LORAIN st

VINE st

ELM

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PARSONS RD

MORGAN st

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EAST COLLEGE st

PROS

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.

PYLE

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City Recrea�onal Complex Lorain CountyMetro ParksSplash Zone

OberlinCo�egeTa�anSquare

Bi� LongNature Preserve

URRSculpture & HealingGarden

Fir�Church

Bardwe� House (private)

181 E. Lorain

Weltzheimer Johnson House(Frank Lloyd Wright House)

URRPark

MLK Park & EvansHouse

Hi�oricalWe�woodCemetery

URRCemetery Tour& Monument

Numerous eateries, pubs, ga�eries, shops and museums

downtown.

oberlin

URRCenter/

GasholderBuilding

OHIO ST

LIBERTY AVE

VERMILION RD

WEST RIVER RD

W. LAKE RD

MAIN STMAIN ST

WASHINGTON ST

SOUTH ST

60

6

6 KayakRental

There are a number ofop�ons throughout the downtown area for food, sho�ing and services

Vermilion–Lorain Water Trail

LAKE ERIE

vermilion

LIBERTY AVE

6

6

58

57

57

611

611

611

E. ERIE RD

W 5TH ST

CALIFORNIA

W 14TH

LAKESIDE

C. BERRY BRIDGE

W. ERIE RD

BROADWAY AVE

KANSAS AVE

OBERLIN AVE

ROOT RD

LAKE BREEZE RD

BROADWAY AVE

COLORADO ave

COLORADO AVE

LorainLighthouse

URR SiteBurre�

Home�ead

URR SiteStaon 100La� Stop to

Freedom

KayakRental

PaddleboardRental

Vermilion–Lorain Water Trail

LC Metro ParksKayak Launch

Site

LAKEVIEWPARK

Jet Expressdock and boarding

site

FrenchCreek

Reservaon

LAKE ERIE

US Steel Mi�Site

LORAIN

Follow the spur route signs to explore down-town, signifi cant Underground Railroad and other interesting sites.

LAKE ERIE

MOORE RD

BELMARCROSSINGS WAY

AVON BELDEN RD

JAYCOX RD

ARMOUR RD

LEAR RD

MILLER RD

N ABBE RDLAKE BREEZE RD

WALKER RD

REDWOOD BLVD

WEBBER RD

CHESTER RDCOLORADO AVE

83

90

6

6

Spur to winery.

Spur to winery.

103rdOVI Civil War

Museum

PeterMi�er House

Museum electric blvd.

Sheffield lake/avon lake

Lorain County Heritage is the non-profit subsidiary of Visit Lorain County. The mission of Lorain County Heritage, Inc. is to preserve, promote and provide education regarding Lorain County’s unique history, culture, arts and natural environment. Lorain County Heritage, Inc. encourages responsible travel to and inside Lorain County.

Thank you to the Lorain County Engineer's office who fund and maintain the signage along the Back Roads and Beaches Route.

BACK ROADS & BEACHESA Lorain County Heritage Program

8025 Leavitt Rd. • Amherst, OH 44001800.334.1673

www.backroadsandbeaches.comFor area travel information: www.visitloraincounty.com

Birmingham

Amherst

Lorain

North Ridgeville

Avon

Avon Lake

Kipton

Oberlin

LaGrange

Grafton

Wellington

Vermilion

Penfield

Sheffield Lake

Elyria

Sheffield

LAKE ERIE

58

2

511

303

60

511

60

20

20

20 20

254

254

83

162

18 18

57

57

82

10

301

301

58

58

80

80

90

8090

83

611

611

611611

6

6

511

113

113

113

57Vermilion–Lorain Water Trail

L O R A I N C O U N T Y * N O R T H C E N T R A L O H I O

BACK ROADS & BEACHESbike and multisport route

Hotel/Motel Restroom

Bike Shop

Coin Laundry

Swimming Beach or Pool

Dining Art Museum/Gallery

Historical Site/Museum

Hiking

Kayak, Paddleboat, Canoe or SUP Rental

Ice Cream

Winery

Camping

Parking

HospitalInfo Source/Visitor Center

Bed & Breakfast/Lodges/Cabins

City Map Key

The Back Roads and Beaches Route is miles of rolling, rural roads with beautiful scenery that ranges from farmland and forest to the nautical flavor of the Lake Erie shoreline. The route provides scenic and low-traffic routes that lead riders through some of Ohio’s most spectacular landscape. It also highlights some of the area’s most relevant history, culture and arts. Of course, every touring cyclist always looks for great food. You’ll find fast food along the route but Back Road and Beaches highlights those eateries that feature locally grown produce, organics, healthy choices and spectacular outdoor views of our natural areas. The route is perfect for a two- or three-day visit. You’ll find lodges, hotels, bed and breakfasts and camping along the way. Some are a bit off the trail but can be easily reached by bike. All lodging indicated on the map are cyclist-friendly.

The tour will take you through several small towns and cities in North Central Ohio. Individually, each town is a delightful visit. Combined in a single tour, cyclists will experience a memorable and fulfilling environmental, cultural, historical and recreational tour. Hard-core athletes can jump on the trail and complete a multi-sport adventure that combines

cycling with mountain biking, swimming, trekking, kayaking, roller blading or running through varied and scenic terrain. Cycling tourists can take a leisurely spin through the route while immersing themselves in the culture, arts and history of Oberlin, the nautical charm and maritime history of Vermilion, or the

beautiful beaches and lake views in Lorain, Sheffield Lake and Avon Lake.

Vermilion: The charm of the New England style Historic Harbour Town 1837 district is complimented by waterfront attractions along the scenic Vermilion River and the shores of Lake Erie. Interesting shops and museums reflect the flavor of this lakefront town. Take a break, dine along the water and watch the river traffic go by.

Lorain: You will find one of Lake Erie's finest beaches and waterfront parks. Lakeview Beach and Park in Lorain. Just

east of Lakeview, you can visit the mouth of the Black River and view the scenic Charles Berry Bascule bridge.

Oberlin: The funky little City of Oberlin is home to Oberlin College. Oberlin is unique in its ties to the Underground Railroad. This is a bicycle-friendly community that loves visiting cyclists. Several eateries specialize and serve locally-grown, organic, vegan and vegetarian cuisine. Oberlin is home to many fine museums and galleries that welcome cyclists.

lake

erie

padd

ler

Thorn Mountain Bike Trail

Patchwork Trails: Quilt Barn Tour of Lorain County

511

58

S PLEASANT

S PARK st

SPRING st

N PARK st

S PROFESSOR st

SOUTH MAIN st

WEST COLLEGE st

WEST LORAIN st

WEST HAMILTON stEAST HAMILTON st

EAST LORAIN st

VINE st

ELM

GROVELAND st

PARSONS RD

MORGAN st FOREST st

EAST COLLEGE st

PROSPECT st.

CEDAR st.

PYLE RD

City Recrea�onal ComplexLorain CountyMetro ParksSplash Zone

OberlinCo�egeTa�anSquare

Bi� LongNature Preserve

URRSculpture & HealingGarden

Fir�Church

Bardwe� House (private)

181 E. Lorain

Weltzheimer Johnson House(Frank Lloyd Wright House)

URRPark

MLK Park & EvansHouse

Hi�oricalWe�woodCemetery

URRCemetery Tour& Monument

Numerous eateries, pubs, ga�eries, shops and museums

downtown.

oberlin

URRCenter/

GasholderBuilding

OHIO ST

LIBERTY AVE

VERMILION RD

WEST RIVER RD

W. LAKE RD

MAIN STMAIN ST

WASHINGTON ST

SOUTH ST

60

6

6KayakRental

There are a number ofop�ons throughout the downtown area for food, sho�ing and services

Vermilion–Lorain Water Trail

LAKE ERIE

vermilion

LIBERTY AVE

6

6

58

57

57

611

611

611

E. ERIE RD

W 5TH ST

CALIFORNIA

W 14TH

LAKESIDE

C. BERRY BRIDGE

W. ERIE RD

BROADWAY AVE

KANSAS AVE

OBERLIN AVE

ROOT RD

LAKE BREEZE RD

BROADWAY AVE

COLORADO ave

COLORADO AVE

LorainLighthouse

URR SiteBurre�

Home�ead

URR SiteStaon 100La� Stop to

Freedom

KayakRental Paddleboard

Rental

Vermilion–Lorain Water Trail

LC Metro ParksKayak Launch

Site

LAKEVIEWPARK

Jet Expressdock and boarding

site

FrenchCreek

Reservaon

LAKE ERIE

US Steel Mi�Site

LORAIN

Follow the spur

route signs to explore dow

n-tow

n, signifi cant U

nderground Railroad and other interesting sites.

LAKE ERIE

MOORE RD

BELMARCROSSINGS WAY

AVON BELDEN RD

JAYCOX RD

ARMOUR RD

LEAR RD

MILLER RD

N ABBE RD

LAKE BREEZE RD

WALKER RD

REDWOOD BLVD

WEBBER RDCHESTER RDCOLORADO AVE

83

90

6

6

Spur to winery.

Spur to winery.

103rdOVI Civil War

Museum

PeterMi�er House

Museumelectric blvd.

Sheffield lake/

avon lake