This is an amazing trail that I have completed multiple times. The final portion of the trail was completed in early 2021, if you do not include a no trail portion segment in Lakewood. I do not expect a trail to connect from the Rocky River Reservation entrance on Detroit Rd. to Lake Ave., although Lakewood does have bike lanes you can use in some areas. In Lakewood, assuming you are taking this trail clockwise, I recommend using Lake Ave. and cutting over to Edgewater Dr. as soon as you can.
There are three main inclines: one in Tremont by a script Cleveland sign, coming out of Rocky River Reservation to Detroit Rd., and the longest incline is at the start of Valley Parkway in the Brecksville Reservation. I do not fault you if you walk a portion of that incline and take a break or two along that one. That incline ends at Brecksville Rd.
I learned about this trail from this article: https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2020/08/a-58-mile-bike-ride-loop-around-clevelands-emerald-necklace.html.
