Buckeye Trail

The Buckeye Trail is a massive, 1,444-mile long-distance hiking trail that forms a giant loop around the entire state of Ohio. Marked by its signature 2x6-inch blue paint blazes, the trail connects Ohio's most scenic areas, historic canal paths, and small towns.

In July 2018, the Village of Mantua was officially designated as Ohio’s 10th Buckeye Trail Town. This means the village actively maintains the trail, provides dedicated resources for long-distance hikers, and serves as a major trail hub.

The Mantua Route: Step-by-Step

The Buckeye Trail winds directly through the historic heart of Mantua via the Mogadore Section. Walking through town, you will encounter a mix of nature, historic architecture, and local businesses:

  • The Headwaters Trail Merge: Coming from the northeast near Hiram and Camp Asbury, the Buckeye Trail merges directly onto the Headwaters Trail—a smooth, flat, crushed-limestone path built on an abandoned 19th-century railway bed.
  • Entering Downtown: The trail leaves the woods and follows Prospect Street straight into downtown Mantua.
  • The Historic Depot Turn: At the corner of Prospect and Main Street (State Route 44), you will see the Mantua Train Station, a preserved 1856 depot that served the old Erie-Lackawanna Railroad. The blue blazes turn left here.
  • The Historic Depot Turn: At the corner of Prospect and Main Street (State Route 44), you will see the Mantua Train Station, a preserved 1856 depot that served the old Erie-Lackawanna Railroad. The blue blazes turn left here.

  • Downtown Stops: The trail passes the famous Mantua Mural, a downtown mini-park featuring shade sails, and local stops like Restoration 44 Coffee Company and the Village Tavern.

  • Exiting South: The trail crosses the Cuyahoga River and the railroad tracks on the south side of town, passing by Break Away Excursions canoe/kayak rental, before turning left onto Canada Road to head into rural residential landscapes

Key Features of the Mantua Section

  • The "Little Loop": Mantua sits on the northeast segment of the trail's "Little Loop"—a 255-mile sub-loop perfect for regional backpackers that encompasses the Bedford, Burton, Akron, and Mogadore sections.
  • Sights on the Trail: Just outside the village limits, the trail passes through unique ecological landscapes including the Marsh Wetlands State Nature Preserve, the Mantua Bog, and a hidden waterfall nestled along the ravine rocks.
  • National Convergence: When you hike the Buckeye Trail through Mantua, you are simultaneously walking on parts of the North Country National Scenic Trail (stretching from Vermont to North Dakota) and the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail, as all three paths overlap here.