Freedom Trail bike ride from Akron to Kent

There are some great possibilities when you connect the Summit Metro Parks Freedom Trail to the Portage Hike & Bike Trail. This bike ride began in Akron and ended in downtown Kent, but you could customize it for a longer ride too.
The Freedom Trail runs roughly 7 miles from Akron to the Portage County line. At the time of this writing, plans are being finalized for extending the trail to East Mill Street near the University of Akron campus, and eventually, to connect to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
My ride began moving east from the Arlington Road Trailhead. The paved trail travels through forested areas, passes through the City of Tallmadge and runs behind Munroe Falls Metro Park. The trail is heavy on greenery in the summer months and the canopy of the trees overhead provided a lot of shade.
Where the Freedom Trail currently ends at Middlebury Road, there’s a trailhead with restrooms and a bike fix station. It was nice to add some air to my tires. I saw the sign which told me the Portage Hike & Bike Trail was only 0.2 miles away. I turned left on Middlebury Road for some strenuous street riding over a bridge and around some tight curves. It was a quick connection, though, and I was soon back on a dedicated bike trail.
The Portage Hike & Bike Trail has several sections. Its main artery extends east beyond Ravenna. For this ride, I was headed for downtown Kent. From Middlebury Road, the trail follows the Cuyahoga River east into Kent. This is a scenic ride which includes some city parks and views of the river.
When you reach Summit Street, you could turn right and follow the road to Franklin Avenue. I chose instead to continue straight on trail under the Haymaker bridge. I reached a parking lot and got out to River Street. I made a right turn on River and a right turn on Main. The Main Street bridge has an entrance to Franklin Mills Riveredge Park with a big staircase down to the Cuyahoga River. It also takes you to the brick-paved Franklin Avenue which is home to a number of Kent restaurants and bars. If you’d like to reach Kent State University, keep riding east along Main Street for less than a half mile.
Imagine a time in the future when cyclists could ride trails from Kent State campus all the way to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Akron. For now, it still takes some on-street riding to complete such a route.
Summit Metro Parks Freedom Trail: www.summitmetr...
Portage Hike & Bike Trail: www.co.portage...

[@dianecarbone4454]

Just began riding the trail the last few weeks. Never encountered any homeless people. I believe the red marks on the trail are from iron. When I put ironite on my own and spilled some on driveway it had the same affect. Just a guess. Enjoyed your video.

[@user-zf1go1lp7m]

Thank you Diane! I believe this trail will eventually connect to the Towpath Trail in Akron. Best, -John

[@davidm5819]

They completed a section of the trail near Akron and improved an area by the portage trail.

[@user-zf1go1lp7m]

Thank you David! I'm looking forward to visiting the trail again to see the updates. -John

[@tomcat172002]

at 1:27 seconds where can I find that spot on the map where the bike and hike trail and middlebury road meet

[@thriftinggrifter]

Better take ur cc permit w ya

[@sandyjarvis4022]

The freedom trail use to be so nice and so safe till the homeless people took it over

[@jonowens460]

Parts of it are sketchy, to say the least😮