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<< Bedford Section Burton Section Mogadore Section >>
  Supervisor: Patti Cook, Phone 440-313-8515  

The Burton Section begins at the northern terminus of the Buckeye Trail, in Headlands Beach State Park on the shores of Lake Erie. BT heads south away from Lake Erie on streets through Grand River into Painesville. BT passes The Rider Inn, waypoint on Underground Railroad and joins Lake County Metroparks Greenway. Trail climbs steadily up low Appalachian escarpment and visits Girdled Road Reservation. After crossing into Geauga County, the trail passes through Big Creek Park, where camping is permitted by reservation. The trail continues south approaching the headwaters of the Cuyahoga River, continuing through the village square of Burton. Century Village on Burton Square is a site of various festivals highlighted by the annual Apple Butter Festival every autumn. South of Burton, the trail passes Hiram Rapids on the Cuyahoga River before passing into the Mogadore Section.

Services:

 ( Click here for key to services)
Map is intended for general information and location only.
Please obtain a detailed section map before hiking.
  • (5/19/11)
    A newly revised Burton Section Map was issued about May 1, 2011. If you are using the older edition, dated February 2006, this alert is intended to keep your map more or less up to date; i.e.- only trail changes are included. Changes to grammar and some local information are not necessarily included. Accompanying maps on the web site show the changes where the February 2006 Edition is totally inadequate. The length of this Section is now 52.6 miles long rather than the former 52.5 miles. This alert does not apply to the May 2011 edition.

    The trail no longer goes through Camp Klein. Instead, it uses the new Stone School Trailhead. See details at Points 5 and 6 below.
    • CW CCW Pt  
    4.9
    SE     		47.7
    SW     		5. W Washington St at The Greenway
    BT joins Lake County Metroparks (LCMP) Greenway Corridor (The Greenway) heading SE, following mostly along former Baltimore & Ohio RR to Old Stone School Trailhead (Pt 6). Since parking is discouraged except at trailheads, crossing details have been minimized.
    However, after 2100’ at W Walnut Ave, The Greenway leaves RR for about ˝ mile. Follow signs for Greenway NE on W Walnut Ave for 910', turn S onto Liberty St for 1200', and turn W onto Frederic St for 680', rejoining RR grade.
    The Greenway continues SE, after 2900’ passing Trailhead (TH) at Johnny Cake Ridge Rd (P, R), continuing SE. Just after leaving the I 90 overpass, The Greenway reaches a side-trail to Chair Factory Falls (PT). Side-trail leads E after 1500' to lovely waterfall w/benches in deep ravine, conducting Gordon Creek. Continuing SE 130', The Greenway passes Pr on W.
    8.6
    W     		44.0
    NW     		6. The Greenway at Trail to The Stone School Trailhead
    BT leaves The Greenway, going W across bridge on improved trail, after 380' entering the TH (P), passing Concord Twp Old Stone Schoolhouse, after 180' turning S onto Ravenna Rd, after 530’ joining Concord-Hambden Rd (SR 608), heading SE past ball field w/Pr.
  • (5/19/11)
    The phone number shown at Point 9 for the desk where reservations for camping may be made should read 440-358-7275. The times for operation of the desk should read Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 4:30PM.
  • (5/19/11)
    Shortly after exiting Big Creek Reservation, the trail has been rerouted through Chardon in order to take advantage of the new Maple Highlands Trail that traverses the wetlands that comprise the headwaters of the Cuyahoga River. The trail now leaves the former route at Point 12 and returns to its former route at the entrance to Headwaters Park just east of Point 16 on February 2006 edition. To avoid confusion between the editions, the points along the new route are shown as “chapters” of Point 12 (For example, 12.1).
    • CW CCW Pt  
    19.0
    W     		33.6
    N     		12. Robinson Rd. at Woodin Rd.
    BT turns W onto Woodin Rd, crossing Big Creek, after 360’ passing Woodin Road Park (P), after 2300’ passing parking (Pr) for equestrian access to Big Creek Park.
    19.9
    S     		32.7
    E     		12.1 Woodin Rd. at Ravenna Rd.
    At end of Woodin Rd, BT turns S onto Ravenna Rd. CAUTION: dangerous road walk. Just across Chardon City Line (3700'), BT joins sidewalk on W side of North St as Ravenna Rd is known within Chardon.
    21.4
    S     		31.2
    N     		12.2 North St at Center St on Chardon Square
    Chardon is the center of Ohio's maple sugar industry and home to an annual Maple Festival each spring. West of the square, the city offers most urban amenities of interest to through hikers (G, L, M, P, PO: 44024, R). BT Circuit Hikers will find what they need here on Chardon Square. BTA suggests trail details that work with Chardon's heavy traffic pattern.
    BT jogs W onto Center St, after 150' crossing Center St at crosswalk on W side of Main St, heading S, passing Geauga County Courthouse (1869). After 520’, there is a handy crosswalk if you wish to investigate the park on the square. BT continues S on sidewalk on W side of Main St. After 510' at SW corner of the Square, BT crosses Water St, turning E onto sidewalk on S side of Water St, after 150', crossing South St, turning S onto sidewalk along E side of South St.
    22.2
    E     		30.4
    N     		12.3 South St at Maple Highlands Trail (MHT)
    Here, BT joins MHT, a paved multi-purpose trail built and managed by GPD. MHT goes through wetlands that comprise the source of the Cuyahoga R. MHT crosses several roads and streams, sometimes on covered bridges. Since parking is not permitted near any of these crossings, many location details are omitted along MHT.
    BT leaves South St heading E on MHT.
    23.1
    E     		29.5
    W     		12.4 Mountain Run Station Trailhead (P, Pr, PT)
    A side-trail leads after 1800' to Mountain Run Station Trailhead. The Trailhead is located off Chardon Windsor Rd E of Chardon Square.
    BT continues E on MHT that will turn essentially S in time.
    28.5
    E     		24.1
    N     		12.5 Maple Highlands Trail at US 322 Here, BT leaves MHT on path, heading E along S side of US 322 on lawn in front of utility substation, continuing E on gravel path as lawn ends.
    28.7
    S     		23.9
    W     		12.6 North Gate to Headwaters Park (P, Pr, PT)
    Headwaters Park, owned by City of Akron and administered by Geauga Park District (GPD), comprises 926 acres lying along the W shore of East Branch (Cuyahoga R) Reservoir. The Reservoir is part of Akron’s drinking water supply. The rule to stay on trail is enforced.
    BT turns S through gate onto service road that passes the privy after 380'. GPD has generously labeled the next two miles of service road as Buckeye Trail. Trail is shared with bicycles and horses. After 480', BT passes entrance to Eagle Trail (exits E), a foot-trail that both views reservoir and returns to BT 1800' ahead. BT continues generally S, crossing several small streams.
    After about 2 mi, immediately after crossing narrow strip of land between one large pool and reservoir, a small footpath leads S to small camping area, requiring reservations and administered by GPD. BT continues on service road SW past exit from camp loop (800’) through gate (180’), passing one major parking area (100’) and then another (1100’), finally crossing the MHT.
    		Chardon relocation
  • (5/19/11)
    The trail south of Point 19 has been moved slightly to take advantage of Veteran’s Memorial Forest and Burton Headwaters Park. Note that the trail no longer turns west at Carlton St. These changes are described below.
    • CW CCW Pt  
    35.4
    S     		17.2
    N     		19. Burton Square
    Burton is like a New England village. Near an Amish community, it is home to the Great Geauga County Fair, Ohio's oldest and largest fair. Working sugarhouse on the square makes maple syrup in season and functions as a tourist information center and outlet for maple products. Local civic groups hold pancake breakfasts every March. Library (internet access), antique stores, R, L, P, PT
    Continuing S from public square on S Cheshire St, BT passes Century Village Museumf, a collection of historic buildings which hosts annual Apple Butter, Antique Power and Bluegrass/Folk Music Festivals, later passing Red Maple Inn B&B and Carlton St. After 1900’ as road curves E, BT continues S on unmarked trace, passing public hunting land (Caution!), passing village waste water facility.
    After 1700’, BT joins Memorial Drive, continuing S into Memorial Cemetery (No Parking!) w/legible stones, final resting place of early pioneers that includes Revolutionary War veterans. At W edge of cemetery, BT enters Veterans Memorial Forest, passing Buckeye Trail sign, crossing streamlet on footbridge. Bridge, sign and trail comprise an Eagle Scout project.
    After 1200', BT enters Burton Headwaters Park at NE corner of farmed field that feeds several resident Sand Hill Craness. BT continues W along edge of farmed field, turning past trail that leads after 2000’ to Burton Twp Maintenance Barns (Pr, S), turning S past small impoundment, continuing around farmed field just above wetlands.
    After 3100', BT joins Rapids Rd heading SW, after 2500' crossing West Branch Cuyahoga R, after 3600' passing Pond Rd (exits W).
  • (10/07/08)
    Read the trail description below with map entitled, “Burton Section, Relocation through Chardon”. Points 12 through 16 of the Burton Section Edition of February 2006 are affected. The relocation begins at Point 12 whose location remains unaffected and ends at the gated entrance across the service road that BT follows through Headwaters Park. The description below continues on to Point 17 because so much of the description within Point 16 has been affected.

    The new trail location is shown on a map drawn over the previous edition. Hence, the prior trail location is designated by solid black circles as on the original edition. The new location is designated by smaller solid blue circles. Trail off road is further separated from trail on road as a narrow blue line. Points of interest along the new trail are designated as heavy aqua circles. Points in the description appear as red numbers near the circle to which they apply. Except for Point 12, all higher points up to and including Point 16 are moved.

    Note also that the distances reported below already are corrected as indicated in the Alert posted for Points 6 through 9 below.
CW CCW Pt  
18.3
W 		33.4
N 		12. Robinson Rd. at Woodin Rd.
BT turns W onto Woodin Rd. past Woodin Park, a small park (P) on the S side of Woodin Rd. just across Big Creek only 360' from Robinson Rd., and access to Big Creek County Park (2300’) for bridle trail (P, no other facilities).
19.2
S 		32.5
E 		13. Woodin Rd. at Ravenna Rd.
At end of Woodin Rd., BT turns S onto Ravenna Rd. Just across Chardon City Line (3700’), BT joins sidewalk on W side of North St. as Ravenna Rd. is known within Chardon. In 4000' at Square, BTA suggests details that work with the heavy traffic that also follows a complex pattern. BT jogs 150' W on Center St. before crossing at pedestrian crossing to W side of Main St.
20.8
S 		30.9
N 		14. Pedestrian Crossing to Chardon Square
Here is a convenient crossing if you wish to investigate the park on the square. Chardon offers most urban amenities (G, P, PO: 44024, R).
BT continues S on sidewalk on W side of Main St. In 920’ at SW corner of the Square, BT crosses Water St. and turns E onto sidewalk on S side of Water St. In 150’, BT crosses South St. and turns S onto sidewalk along E side of South St. to Maple Highlands Trail (3200’) which it joins heading E.
22.4
E 		29.3
W 		15. Bikeway Intersection
In 4400', BT reaches a bikeway intersection that leads N in 1800' to Mountain Run Stream Trailhead (P, Pr, PT) that is reached by vehicle from Chardon Windsor Rd. On the accompanying map, the aqua circle on the red line N from Pt. 15 identifies the Trailhead.
BT continues E on MHT through wetlands that comprise the source of West Branch Cuyahoga R. MHT uses covered bridges to cross Taylor Wells Rd. and the West Branch Cuyahoga R. BT continues on MHT across grade crossings of Claridon Troy Rd. (2˝ Mi from Pt. 15), SR-608 (4500') and Stillwell Rd. (8600'). Do not be deceived – no parking at any of these crossings.
27.8
E 		23.9
N 		16. Maple Highlands Trail at SR-322
Geauga Park District has an off-road right-of-way between the MHT and Headwaters Park a short distance E at East Branch Reservoir, an impoundment on East Branch Cuyahoga R. BT uses this right-of-way. BT turns E onto path on lawn in front of utility substation on S side of US-322. As lawn ends, BT continues E on gravel path. In 500’, BT crosses driveway. Here, BT enters Headwaters Park. This 926-acre park lies along the W shore of the Reservoir. BT continues E on mowed path another 420' into paved parking area with PT. BT turns S through gate onto service road that passes a privy in 380'. GPD has generously labeled the next two miles of service road as Buckeye Trail. Trail is shared with bicycles and horses.
In 2 miles, BT exits gate and joins entrance drive past paved parking area (PS, PT, W, WC about 200' SE) and continues S on public access road.
30.4 21.3 17. Entrance to Headwaters Park from SR-608
Chardon relocation
  • (10/7/08)
    Two Alerts must be applied between Points 6 and 9 of the Burton Section at the present time. Details are described fully below. Refer to the attached map which, hopefully, will help explain the details.

    The first alert begins at Pt. 6 where BT entered Camp Klein briefly. Access to both Camp Klein and the small parking area off SR-608 has been denied. The first Alert is shown on the map in yellow and has a negligible effect on the distance.

    The second alert involves a temporary relocation off Cascade and Williams Roads because Lake County is rebuilding two bridges on Cascade Road. That work is scheduled for completion by the end of November when the trail will return to Williams and Cascade Roads.

    This alert is shown on the attached map in red and reduces the trail distance by 0.8 mile. The net of the two Alerts is that the length of the trail is reduced by 0.6 miles.

    In addition, there is an error in the way that the map is drawn. As was intended, Pt. 8 reads at the intersection of Williams and Cascade Roads. However, the point was drawn at the intersection of Cascade and Girdled Roads. Because the detour now ends at that intersection, the arrow-head was retained to indicate that fact. To correct the mapping error, a bulls-eye, along with the number 8, was added at the intersection of Cascade and Williams Roads. BT will return to Pt. 8 when repair of the bridges along Cascade Road is complete.
CW CCW Pt  
8.8
E 		42.9
NW 		6. The Greenway at Bikeway Access to the Stone School Trailhead
BT formerly left The Greenway at Camp Klein. However, the access to Camp Klein has been closed permanently. A new Trailhead, The Stone School Trailhead, has been built off Ravenna Road, the exit into Camp Klein was a little north of the present exit.
About 1100' S of the freeway overpass, BT leaves The Greenway, goes W across bridge on bikeway and across The Stone School Trailhead (P). In 570', BT turns S onto Ravenna Rd and soon (530') turns SE onto SR-608. In 2400', BT passes Alexander Rd. where it formerly joined SR-608.
9.6
NE 		42.9
NW 		7. SR-608 at Williams Rd.
BT turns NE onto Williams Rd. (C-403)

Burton Section border=
  • (6/25/07)
    At Pt 12, the BT follows a marked trail going west (see the map) to Ravenna Rd. At Ravenna Rd. turn south into Chardon Ohio. The trail now goes through Chardon Square South to (SR 44), the new Maple Highlands Trail. The trail turns left or east for 8.2 miles to Headwaters Park Point 16. At this point it resumes on the Old Buckeye Trail through the park. The trail has been clearly marked. This takes us off the road for about 9.7 miles. There is still some road (1 1/2 miles) going into Chardon.
  • (8/20/07)
    The Buckeye Trail is now open between Points 9, Lake County Metroparks Parking Lot off Girdled Rd., and 10, BT at SR-608. It had been closed due to excessive damage by severe storms.
     
    • CW CCW Pt  
    0.0
    SE     		9.9
    N     		22. Pope Rd. (C-278) at Winchell Rd. (C-264)
    BT turns SE on Winchell Rd. (C-264) towards Hiram Rapids past Washburn Rd. (1110', T-274, exits S) and across the Cuyahoga R. (675'). In 360', BT turns S onto Abbott Rd. past Allyn Rd. (600', C-281, exits E) and continues to Alpha Rd. (840', T-277, exits SE). Camp Hi, a canoe rental facility with fee camping, is 4200’ S on Abbott Rd. from here.
    BT continues SE onto Alpha Rd. (T-277) that gradually ascends.
    2.7
    E     		7.2
    N     		A. Alpha Rd. (T-277) at SR-82
    Alpha Rd. ends here. BT turns E onto SR-82 and goes to Ryder Rd. (1100', T-268), exits S). SR 82 continues into Hiram (PO: 44234). BT follows Ryder Rd. S on past Fairview Cemetery. When Ryder Rd. ends, BT turns E onto Pioneer Trail (6200', C-254) passing Asbury Rd. (1900’, T 223, exits S).
    4.5
    S     		5.4
    E     		B. Pioneer Trail (C-254) at Service Lane
    An orchard and the Historic Johnson home (free directed tours) lie a little further W on Pioneer Trail. BT turns S onto footpath on lane entering property known as Camp Asbury (330 569-3171, campasbury@alltel.net). The East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church operates the camp. Rev. William Graham is the Director.
    The trail soon leaves the service road and continues into woods as a footpath heading SW. Camping is available about 2900' from Point B in shelters (if not in use) and an open field (Seasonal Pr and W). Make arrangements with Camp Asbury a day or two ahead of your expected arrival.
    BT continues past the camping area through woods and wetlands and reaches Asbury Rd. in about 1.4 miles. Across Asbury Rd., BT continues in trees just S of maintenance buildings. Camp Office is in a house just N. Please identify yourself as a BT hiker if you see anybody.
    BT continues SE past small waste water treatment plant across lawn to pond. Here trail turns S across dam, enters woods, crosses Eagle Creek and ascends past an activity area (Keep off!).
    7.4
    W     		2.5
    E     		C. BT at Asbury Rd. (T-223) and Headwaters Trail
    The MOGADORE SECTION begins here. BT enters this section from the BURTON SECTION. This part of Headwaters Trail is a multipurpose trail built and operated by Portage County Park District. BT reaches this point from Camp Asbury on the NE corner of the intersection.
    BT joins Headwaters Trail at its junction with Asbury Rd. and heads W across Limeridge Rd. (5900', C-222) and Vaughn Rd. (2600', T-272).
    9.9
    S     		0.0
    E     		3. Headwaters Trail at Peck Rd. (C-167) at Mennonite Rd./High St.
    Two State Nature Preserves (both with entry by permit only) are near this corner. Mantua Bog is on the SE corner and Marsh Wetlands is on the SW corner. The intersection of Peck Rd. with Mennonite Rd. is only a skip N of this point. Headwaters Trail continues W under management by Mantua Village Park Board. The center of Mantua (G, PO: 44255, R) is 1 mile W via either Headwaters Trail and Main St. or Mennonite Rd./High St. The High St. route passes a Village Park (Pr, PT).
    BT rejoins its former route and turns S onto Peck Rd.

    Information on this page is provided as a service by the Buckeye Trail Association. It is believed accurate, but not guaranteed.  Changes may occur at anytime. When known, such changes will be noted on this web site, and in Trailblazer, the BTA's bi-monthly publication. The Buckeye Trail Association is not responsible for any errors, omissions or changes to the information on this page. If you note any errors, please contact the Buckeye Trail Association, PO Box 254, Worthington, Ohio, 43085, or E-Mail the webmaster.

    To receive more information about the Buckeye Trail, use the information request form or E-Mail to info@buckeyetrail.org.
    Last updated: January 25, 2011
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