Maple Highlands Trail

Construction of Phase II of the Maple Highland Trail was finished in 2020 and completed the missing section of the Geauga County Maple Highlands Trail network through the City of Chardon. Phase II of the trail is very similar to the trail constructed in Phase I.

The trail is an Americans Disability Act compliant 10’ paved trail that meets all Ohio Department of Transportation/American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials standards.

A trailhead was constructed on City-owned property along the trail alignment just north of Park Avenue. Public restrooms, drinking fountains and ample parking at the trailhead is a great new feature for Chardon.

The Buckeye Trail

The Maple Highlands trail is a portion of the Buckeye Trail, which for more than 1,400 miles, winds around Ohio, reaching into every corner of the state.

The Buckeye Trail, founded in 1959, loops through Ohio passing through wooded footpaths, rivers and lake shores, abandoned railroads, in both rural and community settings, providing hikers a unique view of the Buckeye State. The separate legs rejoin in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park near Cleveland, and complete the trip to the lake. Because it is a loop, it is also in essence, endless. You may start a hike at any point and hike as long as you want without ever reaching an end!

Buckeye Trail Town

The City of Chardon was recognized as a Buckeye Trail Town by the Ohio Buckeye Trail Association during a ceremony at the City’s annual Fall Fest in October 2019 as Mayor Smock and representatives from the Association unveiled the sign marking the trail at the northwest corner of the Square. The City became the 14th Trail Town in Ohio, joining the cities of Mentor, Mantua, Dayton, Defiance, Yellow Springs, Loveland, Zoar, Napoleon, Deersville, Troy, Piqua, Xenia and Milford.

Following the Buckeye Trail

The trail is identified by blue blazes, 2" wide by 6" high, on trees or poles. A single blaze marks the trail where the route is fairly straight or obvious, while a double blaze marks a turn with the upper blaze offset to indicate the new direction. A double blaze with no offset simply means pay attention – the trail route may not be obvious. The approximately 1-mile stretch of trail in the City leads hikers through the City from the Maple Highlands Trail coming from the north on the former B & O Trail line. Once reaching Fifth Avenue, the Buckeye Trail continues along Fifth Avenue to North Street. The trail continues along the sidewalk on the west side of the Square Park and down South Street until it picks up the Maple Highlands Trail once again.

Visit www.buckeyetrail.org for more information or to help plan your Buckeye Trail adventure.