Beach Ridge - Mountain Bike Trail

Ranked as one of the best biking routes in Ohio, the Beach Bike Ridge Trail in Northwest Ohio is located in the Oak Openings Preserve. The trail offers bikers alternate travel directions depending on the day of the week and there are many wetlands along the route making the trail muddy on wet days! If you’re looking for a fun ride with many obstacles, including a teeter-totter bridge, this one is yours.

Before you go:

Drinking water

Restrooms

Fee required

Lift service

Fat bike grooming

Family Friendly

Night riding

E-bikes allowed

Dogs Allowed

Obstacles

Shuttles

Detailed Trail Description

Beach Ridge Bike Trail is mostly an 8 km (5.2 mi) singletrack with travel directions alternating between clockwise from Sundays to Wednesdays and anti-clockwise from Thursdays to Saturdays. It crosses over Monclova Road which has a 50mph speed limit and mountain bikers should approach it with caution.

The entrance starts at Hognose Snake Loop and the trail has very little elevation at +125/-84 ft with an intermediate-level difficulty ranking. Offering bikers a round trip, the Beach Ridge Bike Trail intersects the Oak Openings Preserve Hiking Trail at one point.

The track surface is gravel which turns to mud as soon as rain sets in. Six bridges, including a teeter-totter type, keeps bikers away from extremely damp areas but you can still expect a muddy ride on wet days.

Hognose Snake Loop starts as a singletrack and bikers will take a winding route until it becomes a doubletrack. As you reach Swan Creek, the trail narrows down to singletrack again as you access Blazing Star Loop.

You can expect the following features along the way:

• Unique obstacles: Downed trees are a common feature as you leave Hognose Snake Loop and traverse along Swan Creek.
• Raised bridges: Allows riders to traverse smoothly over the wetlands.
• Elevated bridge with three rolls: Located along the straight section of the trail.
• Teeter totter bridge: Found as you enter the singletrack on the Blazing Star Loop.
• Winding turns: As you head back to the trailhead, you can expect a fast and thrilling ride as you navigate these turns.

Mountain bikers can expect an average grade of 1% and a maximum grade of 4% throughout the trail.

Additional Trail Features

Mountain bike riders can locate the Beach Ridge Bike Trail at 3520 Waterville-Swanton Road, accessing it from the parking area. Bikers can head east on the Wabash Cannonball Trail before reaching the Hognose Snake Loop entrance.

Restrooms are available at the entrance of the trail as is drinking water. Trail entry is free and no dogs are allowed.