If you’re a hiker or like to take long walks, you’re always looking for more interesting and unique places to do so. Fortunately for you, Cleveland features plenty of opportunities all over the metro area. These 10 short, easy hikes are among the best hikes in Cleveland and should be added to any outdoor bucket list adventures.
- Quarry Loop Trail, Chapin Forest Reservation, 9938 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland
Ken Lund/Flickr Kirtland is only about 35 minutes from Downtown Cleveland, and its campus stretches over sandstone ledges and Gildersleeve Mountain, both of which offer stunning scenic views of the spectacular Cleveland landscape. Quarry Loop Trail takes you through the remains of a 19th-century sandstone quarry, and under the shade of the hemlock, maple, oak, and tulip trees you will keep cool and comfortable. Quarry Loop Trail, Kirtland, OH 44094, USA
- Woodland Loop Trail, Concord Woods Nature Park, 11231 Spear Road, Concord Township
Concord Woods Nature Park/Facebook This short trail is just under a mile, but it is filled to the brim with scenic beauty. This park is perfect for kids, as it also features a playground and a stocked fishing area. Concord Woods Nature Park, 11211 Spear Rd, Painesville, OH 44077, USA
- South Meadow Trail, Girdled Road Reservation, 12926 Radcliffe Road, Concord
Girdled Road Reservation/Facebook The state-wide Buckeye Trail carves through this stunning nature preserve, which is painted with thick forests and bright, lively wetlands. South Meadow Trail in Concord, one of the best hikes in Ohio, features a lovely pond that is stocked with fish, a play area, and a shelter where you can enjoy a packed lunch. Girdled Road Reservation, Chardon, OH 44024, USA
- Meadow Loop Trail, Carlisle Reservation, 12882 Diagonal Road, LaGrange
Lorain County Metro Parks/Facebook Carlisle Reservation is the largest park in the Lorain County Metro Parks, and it is complete with a visitor center, a raptor center (which actually houses several large birds), and an incredibly diverse natural habitat. Meadow Loop Trail, located in the town of LaGrange, offers fabulous views of the wetland habitat, as well as the abundant greenery of the forests and fields. This hike is just over a mile and a half, and it’s a loop, so you’ll finish exactly where you started. If you have little ones, it is also one of the most kid-friendly hikes around Cleveland. Meadow Loop Trail, Tallmadge, OH 44278, USA
- Worden’s Ledges Loop Trail, Hinckley Reservation, 895 Ledge Road, Hinckley
Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook The Worden’s Ledges Loop Trail located inside of Hinckley Reservation is just one mile, but boy, does it offer some unique views! You see, Worden’s Ledges feature many unusual carvings, many of which depict famous people. Wordens Ledges Loop Trail, Hinckley, OH, USA
- Wood Thrush Trail, Letha House Park, 5800 Richman Road, Spencer
Friends of Medina County Parks/Facebook Tucked within Chatham Township is the tiny but beautiful Letha House Park. The Wood Thrush Trail here is an 0.85-mile trail that will take you through its scenic campus, which even features a tributary of the Black River. Every so often, the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association opens up its observatory to allow the public to peer at deep sky objects during their special “Starry, Starry Night” events. Letha House Park West, Richman Rd, Spencer, OH 44275, USA
- Alder Trail, Goodyear Heights Metropark, 2077 Newton Street, Akron
Kellie Wolke/AllTrails.com Located just a bit south of Cleveland Metro Parks is this lovely little 1.4-mile loop trail — The Alder Trail. The park opened in 1930 and it features a cattail marsh, a pond, sassafras and sarsaparilla trees, and a wide variety of fauna. If you haven’t been here yet, we’re sure you’ll find the trail to be one of the best hikes in Ohio. Alder Trail, Goodyear Heights Metropar
- Paine Creek Trail, Indian Point Park, 13165 Seeley Road, Leroy Township
Nicholas/Wikimedia Commons This easy hike situated in Leroy Township is just under a half mile, and it really is a breeze. You get so caught up in the scenery that you almost forget you are getting a bit of a workout! Part of this trail runs parallel to Paine Creek, and the site is actually not far from a Native American structure that stands as one of the oldest in Ohio. Indian Point Park, 13165 Seeley Rd, Painesville, OH 44077, USA
- StoryWalk Trail, Carolyn Mugrage Park, 4985 Windfall Road, Medina
Nichole Houze/Friends of Medina County Parks Facebook Mugrage Park in the town of Medina is a hidden gem! Its StoryWalk Trail is a casual one-mile journey over a paved surface, and along the way, signs tell a story with bright, colorful pictures. Along the way, you will pass a lovely lake, an inclusive playground, a meadow, a wetland, woods, and a hill that offers great views of the scenery. Fun and one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Ohio, the dog parks along the trail also make this a welcoming destination for pups! Carolyn Ludwig Mugrage Park, 4985 Windfall Rd, Medina, OH 44256, USA
- Lake Issac Loop, Big Creek Reservation, 4101 Fulton Parkway, Cleveland
Chris Light/Wikimedia Commons Begin your 1.2-mile walk at a glacial pothole (Cleveland’s oldest and biggest pothole!) and journey through several different habitats. The array of scenery you’ll encounter along this walk is dazzling, and seeing the waterfowl that flock to Lake Isaac is always a thrill. Big Creek Reservation, Main St, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130, USA
Many times, short hikes are the perfect way to quench that summertime thirst for adventure. What is your favorite laid-back hike? Also, in case you missed it, check out our list of the best Cleveland-area picnic spots for snacks with stellar views.
Ken Lund/Flickr
Kirtland is only about 35 minutes from Downtown Cleveland, and its campus stretches over sandstone ledges and Gildersleeve Mountain, both of which offer stunning scenic views of the spectacular Cleveland landscape. Quarry Loop Trail takes you through the remains of a 19th-century sandstone quarry, and under the shade of the hemlock, maple, oak, and tulip trees you will keep cool and comfortable.
Quarry Loop Trail, Kirtland, OH 44094, USA
Concord Woods Nature Park/Facebook
This short trail is just under a mile, but it is filled to the brim with scenic beauty. This park is perfect for kids, as it also features a playground and a stocked fishing area.
Concord Woods Nature Park, 11211 Spear Rd, Painesville, OH 44077, USA
Girdled Road Reservation/Facebook
The state-wide Buckeye Trail carves through this stunning nature preserve, which is painted with thick forests and bright, lively wetlands. South Meadow Trail in Concord, one of the best hikes in Ohio, features a lovely pond that is stocked with fish, a play area, and a shelter where you can enjoy a packed lunch.
Girdled Road Reservation, Chardon, OH 44024, USA
Lorain County Metro Parks/Facebook
Carlisle Reservation is the largest park in the Lorain County Metro Parks, and it is complete with a visitor center, a raptor center (which actually houses several large birds), and an incredibly diverse natural habitat. Meadow Loop Trail, located in the town of LaGrange, offers fabulous views of the wetland habitat, as well as the abundant greenery of the forests and fields. This hike is just over a mile and a half, and it’s a loop, so you’ll finish exactly where you started. If you have little ones, it is also one of the most kid-friendly hikes around Cleveland.
Meadow Loop Trail, Tallmadge, OH 44278, USA
Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook
The Worden’s Ledges Loop Trail located inside of Hinckley Reservation is just one mile, but boy, does it offer some unique views! You see, Worden’s Ledges feature many unusual carvings, many of which depict famous people.
Wordens Ledges Loop Trail, Hinckley, OH, USA
Friends of Medina County Parks/Facebook
Tucked within Chatham Township is the tiny but beautiful Letha House Park. The Wood Thrush Trail here is an 0.85-mile trail that will take you through its scenic campus, which even features a tributary of the Black River. Every so often, the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association opens up its observatory to allow the public to peer at deep sky objects during their special “Starry, Starry Night” events.
Letha House Park West, Richman Rd, Spencer, OH 44275, USA
Kellie Wolke/AllTrails.com
Located just a bit south of Cleveland Metro Parks is this lovely little 1.4-mile loop trail — The Alder Trail. The park opened in 1930 and it features a cattail marsh, a pond, sassafras and sarsaparilla trees, and a wide variety of fauna. If you haven’t been here yet, we’re sure you’ll find the trail to be one of the best hikes in Ohio.
Alder Trail, Goodyear Heights Metropar
Nicholas/Wikimedia Commons
This easy hike situated in Leroy Township is just under a half mile, and it really is a breeze. You get so caught up in the scenery that you almost forget you are getting a bit of a workout! Part of this trail runs parallel to Paine Creek, and the site is actually not far from a Native American structure that stands as one of the oldest in Ohio.
Indian Point Park, 13165 Seeley Rd, Painesville, OH 44077, USA
Nichole Houze/Friends of Medina County Parks Facebook
Mugrage Park in the town of Medina is a hidden gem! Its StoryWalk Trail is a casual one-mile journey over a paved surface, and along the way, signs tell a story with bright, colorful pictures. Along the way, you will pass a lovely lake, an inclusive playground, a meadow, a wetland, woods, and a hill that offers great views of the scenery. Fun and one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Ohio, the dog parks along the trail also make this a welcoming destination for pups!
Carolyn Ludwig Mugrage Park, 4985 Windfall Rd, Medina, OH 44256, USA
Chris Light/Wikimedia Commons
Begin your 1.2-mile walk at a glacial pothole (Cleveland’s oldest and biggest pothole!) and journey through several different habitats. The array of scenery you’ll encounter along this walk is dazzling, and seeing the waterfowl that flock to Lake Isaac is always a thrill.
Big Creek Reservation, Main St, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Cleveland July 10, 2022 Lysa Allman-Baldwin What is one of the most scenic towns in Ohio? There are so many wonderful scenic towns in Ohio that you could throw a dart at a map, hit any of them, and be completely satisfied with your choice. Among these is Marietta, named after the nickname for the famous French queen, Marie Antoinette. The town is unique in that it sits along the banks of two rivers – the Ohio River and the Muskingum River – both of which possess their own unique scenic beauty. But it’s really known for its breathtaking bridges and the spectacular views offered from those spans. I’m looking for an entertainment center for kids near Cleveland. You’re in luck because just a short drive from Cleveland in the town of Parma is the Make Believe Family Fun Center. There’s plenty to do here including bumper cars, classic arcade games, laser tag, and playing a game in the mini-bowling alley. The real highlight of a trip here is the massive indoor playground offering every kind of kid-sized diversion you can imagine. Plan to spend at least a few hours here to tire those little rug rats out (and maybe their adult companions too!). Where can I get some good pizza in the Cleveland area? People in Cleveland love good pizza and you can find a wealth of not just good, but amazing pizza joints all over the metropolitan area and further afield. For some reason, folks are kind of partial to New York-style pizza here, and one of the best places to indulge in this classic pie is at Pizza 216 Kitchen + Taphouse Taphouse (“216” is one of Cleveland’s area codes). It’s a local favorite and attracts its fair share of tourists as well. the establishment is also known for having one of the best bars in town, serving up great wine, beer, and cocktails to accompany your meal. Don’t forget to try their special Pierogi Pie – it’s amazing! – along with their other delicious menu options.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Cleveland
July 10, 2022
Lysa Allman-Baldwin
What is one of the most scenic towns in Ohio? There are so many wonderful scenic towns in Ohio that you could throw a dart at a map, hit any of them, and be completely satisfied with your choice. Among these is Marietta, named after the nickname for the famous French queen, Marie Antoinette. The town is unique in that it sits along the banks of two rivers – the Ohio River and the Muskingum River – both of which possess their own unique scenic beauty. But it’s really known for its breathtaking bridges and the spectacular views offered from those spans. I’m looking for an entertainment center for kids near Cleveland. You’re in luck because just a short drive from Cleveland in the town of Parma is the Make Believe Family Fun Center. There’s plenty to do here including bumper cars, classic arcade games, laser tag, and playing a game in the mini-bowling alley. The real highlight of a trip here is the massive indoor playground offering every kind of kid-sized diversion you can imagine. Plan to spend at least a few hours here to tire those little rug rats out (and maybe their adult companions too!). Where can I get some good pizza in the Cleveland area? People in Cleveland love good pizza and you can find a wealth of not just good, but amazing pizza joints all over the metropolitan area and further afield. For some reason, folks are kind of partial to New York-style pizza here, and one of the best places to indulge in this classic pie is at Pizza 216 Kitchen + Taphouse Taphouse (“216” is one of Cleveland’s area codes). It’s a local favorite and attracts its fair share of tourists as well. the establishment is also known for having one of the best bars in town, serving up great wine, beer, and cocktails to accompany your meal. Don’t forget to try their special Pierogi Pie – it’s amazing! – along with their other delicious menu options.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are so many wonderful scenic towns in Ohio that you could throw a dart at a map, hit any of them, and be completely satisfied with your choice. Among these is Marietta, named after the nickname for the famous French queen, Marie Antoinette. The town is unique in that it sits along the banks of two rivers – the Ohio River and the Muskingum River – both of which possess their own unique scenic beauty. But it’s really known for its breathtaking bridges and the spectacular views offered from those spans.
I’m looking for an entertainment center for kids near Cleveland.
You’re in luck because just a short drive from Cleveland in the town of Parma is the Make Believe Family Fun Center. There’s plenty to do here including bumper cars, classic arcade games, laser tag, and playing a game in the mini-bowling alley. The real highlight of a trip here is the massive indoor playground offering every kind of kid-sized diversion you can imagine. Plan to spend at least a few hours here to tire those little rug rats out (and maybe their adult companions too!).
Where can I get some good pizza in the Cleveland area?
People in Cleveland love good pizza and you can find a wealth of not just good, but amazing pizza joints all over the metropolitan area and further afield. For some reason, folks are kind of partial to New York-style pizza here, and one of the best places to indulge in this classic pie is at Pizza 216 Kitchen + Taphouse Taphouse (“216” is one of Cleveland’s area codes). It’s a local favorite and attracts its fair share of tourists as well. the establishment is also known for having one of the best bars in town, serving up great wine, beer, and cocktails to accompany your meal. Don’t forget to try their special Pierogi Pie – it’s amazing! – along with their other delicious menu options.
