8. Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail

Do you have a bad case of cabin fever?  I sure do, but there is great news, the weather in the latter part of this week is looking great again which means it's a great time to dust off the bike or your running shoes and check out one of the areas finest walking, biking or running trails.  The Towpath is currently about 80 miles long and is planned to run from Cleveland to Dover.  It is going to eventually become a part of the Ohio to Erie trail which will be a 325 mile trail that runs between Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinatti.  You can pack a lunch with you or stop at one of the many spots along the way to grab a bite.  There are many natural (and free) attractions along the way.  You can see covered bridges, a marsh with great bird watching and several waterfalls as you move down the trail next to the river.  One of the waterfalls (brandywine falls) is over 60 feet tall.  Whether you get on the trail in Peninsula, off Rockside Road or anywhere else, this is a great way to spend any afternoon be it spring, summer or fall.  So get out, enjoy the park and maybe even lose a couple of those extra pounds you picked up this winter.