Stark Exploring Trail Challenge

Helpful Information

Find more detailed directions and information about each location below.

1. Fry Family Park (Westbrook Trail)
   Parking: 2533 Farber St. SE, Magnolia (Shelter Area)
   Round Trip Mileage: 2.4 miles
   Surface: Mowed Grass and Turf
   Begin at the shelter and take the Westbrook Trail over the main driveway, around the pond, and meet up with the North Trail.  At the intersection, look down toward the Westbrook Trailhead or up toward the North Trail and know you don't have to climb either for this year.
2. Hoover Trail: Washington Square Loop
   Parking: 1325 E. Maple St., North Canton, 44720
   Round Trip Mileage: 2.30 miles
   Surface: Limestone and sidewalk
   Begin at the Hoover Recreation Complex ballfields and head north down the trail at the back of the parking lot.  When you get to a split in the trail where a signs states Marquardt to the left and E. Maple St. to the right, head right!
   After a short section on the neighborhood sidewalk, you will walk next to Starbucks Drive-Thru.  Turn right to use the sidewalk in front of Washington Square shopping center and follow west to return to the E. Maple St. Trailhead parking area.  Bonus points if you do some shopping and carry your haul back with you!
3. Iron Horse Trail: Option #1 FCC to Beechwood St. or Option #2 FCC to Bayton St.
   Parking: First Christian Church Trailhead, 1141 W. Beech St., Alliance 44601
   Round Trip Mileage: 1.4 or 3.7 miles
   Surface: Limestone
   Head down the trail from the parking lot near the picnic shelter.  Turn left to travel south on the former railroad route.  Turnaround at Beachwood for the 1.4 mile route or cross Beechwood Ave. and Beech St. before a scenic stretch to Bayton St., the 3.7 turnaround point.
4. Mahoning Valley Trail: Deer Creek Reservoir to Greenbower St.
   Parking: Deer Creek Reservoir, 14514 Price St. NE Alliance 44601
   Round Trip Mileage: 2.20 miles
   Surface: Limestone
   Look for the kiosk in the Deer Creek Reservoir Parking Lot to travel down the Mahoning Valley Trail on the shoreline of the reservoir.  The bridge will take you over the spillway between Deer Creek and Berlin Reservoirs and then continue in between the trees to Greenbower St., the turnaround point.  On the way back, you might hear a splash from jumping fish.
5. Olde Muskingum Trail: Option #1 Butterbridge south to Turnaround sign or Option #2 Butterbridge Ave. south to Forty Corners.
   Parking: West side of Tuscarawas River on Butterbridge Ave.
   Round Trip Mileage:  2.5 or 6.8 miles
   Surface: Limestone
   Use the large parking lot on the west side of the Tuscarawas River (next to the Railroad tracks).  Head south on this mostly shady and wide trail shared with equestrians and bikers with occasional views of the Tuscarawas River.  Turnaround at the sign just over a mile down the trail for Option #1 or continue to the end of the trail at Forty Corners for the longer Option #2.  If choosing Option #2 you could use the Towpath Trail to loop back and travel north for a little change of scenery.
6. Petros Lake Park : Mindfulness Walk
   Parking: 3519 Perry Dr. SW, Canton 44706
   Round Trip Mileage: 1.10 miles
   Surface: Limestone and Natural Surface
   Use the north entrance to travel into the park and follow the signs to Shelter #1/Woodland Shelter on the right. The trail begins to the right of the shelter.  The walk typically takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete.
7. Pike Ridge Park: Loop Trail
   Parking: 7498 East Sparta Ave., Magnolia, 44643
   Round Trip Mileage: 2.50 miles
   Surface: Improved gravel access road and natural surface with gradual and steeper climbing and descents.
   From the parking lot, take the main gravel trail east and veer left at the gate.  Turn left at Sign #5 and travel in between the two ponds.  Turn right between signs #8 and #9 to return back on the other side of the loop.  This trail has several gradual steep climbs and the majority of the route is in open fields without shade.  It could be considered the most difficult option as part of the 2025 challenge.
8. Quail Hollow Park: Purple Trail: Paved Trail or Purple Loop
   Parking: 13480 Congress Lake Ave., Hartville 44632
   Round Trip Mileage:  Option #1 .70 mile or Option #2 approximately 1.80 miles
   Surface: Asphalt and Natural Surface trail
   Veer right when you get to the driveway split to begin behind the Stewart Manor House and a little bit to the left where the asphalt trail begins.  Hike this into the woods until the pavement ends and turnaround and head back for Option #1.Turn left at Sign P7 and follow the natural surface Purple Trail into the tree line to begin the 1.80 mile loop.  You will parallel Pontius St. for a short time and follow the Buckeye Trail (that goes around the state of Ohio).  If needed, there are two connectors to shorten the loop between both sides of the Purple Trail.  Cut over in front of the fishing pond and use the path heading from the pond parking lot through the tree line to the Manor House.  A historical park and a historical walk too!
9. Sippo Lake Park: Exploration Gateway Shelter to Wildlife Conservation Center
   Parking: 5712 12th St. NW, Canton 44708
   Surface: Crushed Limestone
   Round Trip Mileage: .9 mile
   Park in the first parking lot on the right as you come down the driveway.  There will be a picnic shelter and small playground right next to the trail.  Take the trail around the bend, cross the first bridge over the creek.  Continue straight when the trail presents its first option and then left at the second split.  This will take you behind the Wildlife Conservation Center outdoor enclosures, cross the parking lot at the front of the building and turn right, past the flight cage, to catch the trail back to the shelter.  If hiking between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., go around front and enter the Wildlife Center animal enclosures to see some wildlife up close.
10. Sippo Valley Trail: Option #1 Alabama Ave. to Deerfield Ave. or Option #2 Alabama Ave. to W. Lebanon Rd.
    Parking: Alabama Ave. Trailhead (Pull off parking), 2200 Alabama Ave. NW, North Lawrence 44666
    Round Trip Mileage: Option #1 2.60 miles or Option #2 4.60 miles
    Surface: Limestone and Asphalt
    Cross Alabama Ave. and head west from the parking lot to head down the former railroad.  Expect some flat and shaded areas mixed with more open areas, especially after the leaves come down.  Take a picture at the Welcome to Stark County sign at Deerfield Ave and turnaround for Option #1 or continue into Wayne County to W. Lebanon Rd. for Option #2.
11. Congressman Ralph Regula Towpath Trail: Option #1 John Glenn Trailhead South to Turnaround Point or Option #2 John Glenn Trailhead to Craig Pittman Trailhead
    Parking: John Glenn Trailhead, 8000 Warmington Rd. SW, Massillon 44646
    Round Trip Mileage: Option #1, 2.50 miles or Option #2 7.2 miles
    Surface: Limestone
    Enjoy a beautiful stretch of the Towpath Trail along the Ohio & Erie Canal and Tuscarawas River with benches for breaks along the way.  If taking Option #2 you will travel around the Village of Navarre with some luck you will smell the freshly baked bread after several road crossings.
12. Walborn Reservoir: Option #1 Red Trail or Option #2 Shoreline Trail
    Parking: 11324 Price St. NE, Alliance 44601
    Round Trip Mileage: Option #1 1 mile or Option #2 4.60 miles
    Surface: Natural Surface
    The Red Trail is located across Price St. from the park entrance and marina building.  It is a shared equestrian and hiking trail close to the water.  Follow the red markers for a short loop out to a peninsula and back a main trail.The Shoreline Trail begins behind the Walborn Reservoir Marina and heads west with occasional views of the water before ending at Reeder Ave. where you will turnaround and head back the same way.  Enjoy the views of the reservoir and a bridge and boardwalk crossing.  Expect a few small hill climbs and descents.
13. West Branch Trail: Option #1 12th St. to Fulton Rd or Option #2 12th St. to 38th St.
    Parking: 1305 Stadium Park Dr. NW, Canton 44708
    Round Trip Mileage: Option #1 2.20 miles or Option #2 5 miles
    Surface: Limestone and Concrete
    Park at the Timken Gatehouse near 12th St. and cross the parkway to the trail running along the creek.  Head left.  Turn around at Fulton Rd. for Option #1 or continue across using the crosswalk, cross the bridge and the creek will now be on your left as you make your way on Option #2 route to 38th St.  This route runs parallel to I-77 and under Rt. 62 and offers an alternative transportation method to travel between Canton and the Belden Village area.
14. Hiker's Choice-Choose any trail within Stark Parks.
    Use the ParkFinder map to search by activity or amenity to plan your next adventure.