Hike or Bike the Maple Highlands Trail!
I’m not surprised that you haven’t heard of this event. For some reason the organizers seem to be keeping it oddly quiet. I can’t find much online except a very AI generated flyer on the county sheriff’s Facebook page and a somewhat strange AI logo.
The Details
The event is scheduled for August 8th, 2026, from 10am - 8pm. It starts at the Chardon Bike Trailhead where you will collect your trail card and take a group photo. The goal is to get to each of the 6 stations to get your card punched. Each of the stations is run by various community partners and will likely have swag, educational materials, and hopefully some water/snacks. At the end of the day there is a picnic along with a butterfly release, medal presentation, and closing ceremony. There will then be return shuttle service provided which is super nice!
According to information posted but not included in the flyer there will be awards for everyone who completes their trail card.
To register you need to use a signup on the Sheriff’s Canva account. Yeah, kind of strange. Also, be aware that you don’t get an email confirmation after signing up. Also strange.
Stations along the Trail
According to the flyer there will be six stations along the trail. Each will have the ability to punch your trail card along with various partners running booths I have to imagine. Hopefully they are also planning on having drinks and snacks at the stations.
Station 1: Chardon Bike Trailhead - Featured partner is University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center
Station 2: Mountain Run Station - Featured partner is the Geauga Department of Aging
Station 3: Claridon Woods - Featured partner is CASA for Kids
Station 4: Headwaters Park - Featured partner is Wellbrook Recovery
Station 5: Middlefield Fire Department - featured partner is Ravenwood Mental Health
Station 6: Swine Creek Reservation - featured partner is the Geauga Sheriff’s OfficeLOSS team.
The Maple Highlands Trail
The trail itself is an asphalt trail running for 21.1 miles (the event only covers 16 miles) from Lake County, through Chardon, and down into Middlefield. The trail does cover about 1 mile of roads through downtown Middlefield before returning to the old railroad trail. The trail itself is mostly on an old segment of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad spur.
Restrooms are available at Mountain Run Station, Claridon Woodlands, Headwaters Park, and Swine Creek Reservation.
One of the best features of the trail is that it includes five covered bridges, two of which are registered as “Ohio Historical Covered Bridges”!
You can park at:
The Chardon Bike Trailhead - 312 Park Ave, Chardon, OH 44024 - but this is going to be very quickly filled up.
The Marc’s Store at 425 Water St, Chardon, OH 44024 - just make sure to park at the rear of the lot to be kind to actual shoppers
Hopefully some signs will be posted and people will be around helping parking.
Trail Etiquette
I am going to shamelessly take the following from the county park website because it is very important. There will likely be horses on the Southern section as the Amish community really enjoy using the trail.
Bikes yield to walkers. On the South Section, both bikes and walkers yield to horses.
Keep right except to pass. Pass with caution.
Announce that you are passing so as not to startle others.
Move off trail when stopped.
Yield to all law enforcement, maintenance and emergency vehicles.
Respect private property; stay within trail corridor.
Obey all traffic signs, especially stop signs.
Yield to cross traffic at all intersections.
A Final Note
This event should be fun. I’m worried that no one will show up because of how poorly it is advertised. I learned about it from a article on cleveland.com which is behind their paywall and has no links or ways to find more information. There is nothing on the Sheriff’s webpage, County Park page, or County Developmental Disabilities page about it and even Google searches turn up nothing! Why are the sponsors not even advertising it?
So I hope that this article gets out there and people are able to enjoy this beautiful trail and hopefully a fun event!