Nothing beats an Ohio hike, especially during springtime. Although you might not be ready to tackle the five-mile treks that require strategic packing and planning, you can warm yourself up for the summer months with a short and sweet hike. The following are 11 of the best hiking trails near me. They’re also less than one mile and some of the best hikes in Ohio.

  1. Beach Boardwalk (Headlands Beach State Park)

Erik Drost/Flickr The 0.15-mile boardwalk trail along this waterfront park is short, sweet, and stunning. Here, you can observe a variety of vegetation that’s typically only found on the Atlantic Coast, which makes this trail extra special. Headlands Beach State Park, 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060, USA

  1. Ash Cave Trails (Hocking Hills State Park)

J. Todd Poling/Flickr The Ash Cave Trails within Hocking Hills State Park feature a 0.25-mile-long Gorge Trail that is wheelchair accessible and great for families, as well as a more strenuous 0.5-mile-long Rim Trail. 19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138, USA

  1. Worden’s Ledges Loop Trail (Hinckley Reservation)

Brian T/All Trails The Worden’s Ledges Loop Trail in Hinckley Reservation is a true hidden gem to Ohio explorers and hiking enthusiasts. It’s a 0.7-mile loop trail that features one-of-a-kind carvings from the 1940s. Stumbling upon this in the middle of the woods feels like you’ve uncovered a secret. 908 County Hwy 135, Hinckley, OH 44233, USA

  1. The Valley Trail (Ault Park)

HEIDI BEDOYA/All Trails The Valley Trail at Ault Park in Cincinnati features an abandoned railroad bridge from the late 1800s, and it’s a short trek out and back. It’s also a total of .65 miles long. 3600 Observatory Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45208

  1. Indian Mound Reserve Trails (Peterson Park)

Keith Robinson/Flickr The 166-acre Indian Mound Reserve in Cedarville features several hiking trails that are less than a mile long and managed by the Greene County Park District. We recommend taking the 0.6-mile Upper Rim Trail to Cedar Cliff Falls (pictured). 2750 US-42, Cedarville, OH 45314, USA

  1. Cattail Trail (Garfield Park Reservation)

tde1973/Flickr Along this short and sweet, 0.2-mile Cleveland Metroparks trail, you’ll observe beautiful stonework from the 1930s, gorgeous flowers, and a variety of wildlife. The trail is located near the Metroparks’ maintenance center on Garfield Parkway. Garfield Park Reservation, 11350 Broadway Ave, Garfield Heights, OH 44125, USA

  1. Overlook Trail (Beaver Creek State Park)

Beaver Creek State Park/Facebook You don’t always have to hike very far (or very strenuously) to get to a gorgeous view. The Overlook Trail at Beaver Creek State Park is just .3 miles long and it’s a fairly easy hike to the Dustin Huffman Memorial Overlook. 12021 Echo Dell Rd, East Liverpool, OH 43920, USA

  1. Rowe Woods Edge Trail (Cincinnati Nature Center)

Cincinnati Nature Center/Facebook The Rowe Woods Edge Trail at the Cincinnati Nature Center is a must-hike trail, no matter the season. With just .66 miles to explore, this easy trail features gorgeous views of Powel Crosley Lake. Unlike most waterfront trails, the Rowe Woods Edge Trail takes you right out onto the lake via boardwalk paths. Be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife along this trail, as you never know what friendly faces you’ll stumble upon. 4949 Tealtown Rd, Milford, OH 45150, USA

  1. Jane Coates Wildflower Trail (Put-In-Bay)

Lake Erie Islands Conservancy/Facebook The Jane Coates Wildflower Trail on South Bass Island in Put-In-Bay, Ohio is a hidden gem most people don’t know about. This half-mile loop trail features a gorgeous variety of wildflowers and even some migratory songbirds. 1962 Put-In-Bay Rd, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456, USA

  1. Cascade Falls (Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park)

google/AnnaLynn Dietzel The 0.5-mile trek to Cascade Falls in Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park is one of those short, sweet, and special trails. The next time you’re in the northeast Ohio area and you need a quick break in nature, this quaint trail is one you’ll certainly want to check out. Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, 12440 OH-282, Garrettsville, OH 44231, USA

  1. North Shore Loop Trail (Kelleys Island State Park)

920 Division St, Kelleys Island, OH 43438, USA

Have you ever hiked any of these scenic Ohio trails before? What do you think are the best hikes in Ohio? Please share your experiences with us in the comments below.

Erik Drost/Flickr

The 0.15-mile boardwalk trail along this waterfront park is short, sweet, and stunning. Here, you can observe a variety of vegetation that’s typically only found on the Atlantic Coast, which makes this trail extra special.

Headlands Beach State Park, 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060, USA

J. Todd Poling/Flickr

The Ash Cave Trails within Hocking Hills State Park feature a 0.25-mile-long Gorge Trail that is wheelchair accessible and great for families, as well as a more strenuous 0.5-mile-long Rim Trail.

19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138, USA

Brian T/All Trails

The Worden’s Ledges Loop Trail in Hinckley Reservation is a true hidden gem to Ohio explorers and hiking enthusiasts. It’s a 0.7-mile loop trail that features one-of-a-kind carvings from the 1940s. Stumbling upon this in the middle of the woods feels like you’ve uncovered a secret.

908 County Hwy 135, Hinckley, OH 44233, USA

HEIDI BEDOYA/All Trails

The Valley Trail at Ault Park in Cincinnati features an abandoned railroad bridge from the late 1800s, and it’s a short trek out and back. It’s also a total of .65 miles long.

3600 Observatory Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45208

Keith Robinson/Flickr

The 166-acre Indian Mound Reserve in Cedarville features several hiking trails that are less than a mile long and managed by the Greene County Park District. We recommend taking the 0.6-mile Upper Rim Trail to Cedar Cliff Falls (pictured).

2750 US-42, Cedarville, OH 45314, USA

tde1973/Flickr

Along this short and sweet, 0.2-mile Cleveland Metroparks trail, you’ll observe beautiful stonework from the 1930s, gorgeous flowers, and a variety of wildlife. The trail is located near the Metroparks’ maintenance center on Garfield Parkway.

Garfield Park Reservation, 11350 Broadway Ave, Garfield Heights, OH 44125, USA

Beaver Creek State Park/Facebook

You don’t always have to hike very far (or very strenuously) to get to a gorgeous view. The Overlook Trail at Beaver Creek State Park is just .3 miles long and it’s a fairly easy hike to the Dustin Huffman Memorial Overlook.

12021 Echo Dell Rd, East Liverpool, OH 43920, USA

Cincinnati Nature Center/Facebook

The Rowe Woods Edge Trail at the Cincinnati Nature Center is a must-hike trail, no matter the season. With just .66 miles to explore, this easy trail features gorgeous views of Powel Crosley Lake. Unlike most waterfront trails, the Rowe Woods Edge Trail takes you right out onto the lake via boardwalk paths. Be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife along this trail, as you never know what friendly faces you’ll stumble upon.

4949 Tealtown Rd, Milford, OH 45150, USA

Lake Erie Islands Conservancy/Facebook

The Jane Coates Wildflower Trail on South Bass Island in Put-In-Bay, Ohio is a hidden gem most people don’t know about. This half-mile loop trail features a gorgeous variety of wildflowers and even some migratory songbirds.

1962 Put-In-Bay Rd, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456, USA

google/AnnaLynn Dietzel

The 0.5-mile trek to Cascade Falls in Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park is one of those short, sweet, and special trails. The next time you’re in the northeast Ohio area and you need a quick break in nature, this quaint trail is one you’ll certainly want to check out.

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, 12440 OH-282, Garrettsville, OH 44231, USA

920 Division St, Kelleys Island, OH 43438, USA

For more adventurous trails to add to your spring bucket list, be sure to check out our previous article: 10 Of The Greatest Hiking Trails On Earth Are Right Here In Ohio.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in ohio April 17, 2022 Jennifer Young What are three of the best kid-friendly hikes around Ohio? Ohio is filled with numerous trails of all lengths and difficulties. While some are easy enough for everyone to hike, many others aren’t. If you have kids in your life and you’ve been wanting to take them on a hike, you’re in luck. There are several trails located throughout Ohio that are suitable for kids to hike. Listed below are three of our favorite kid-friendly trails in Ohio, and soon they’ll be some of your favorites.

  1. Ledges Trail Located in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the Ledges Trail. This 2.3-mile loop trail has a moderate level of difficulty and is perfect for hiking year round.
  2. Brandywine Gorge Trail The Brandywine Gorge Trail is also located in Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It’s a 1.4-mile loop trail that’s great for using from April through October. Most people choose this trail for hiking and running.
  3. Horseshoe Falls Caesar Creek State Park is home to Ohio’s Horseshoe Falls. This 1.7-mile, out-and-back trail is a popular spot for hiking. Just like the Brandywine Gorge Trail, the best time of year to use this trail is from April through October. What three scenic hikes in Ohio are also some of the easiest? When it comes to trails in Ohio, some are difficult to hike, while many others are rather easy. Listed below are three easy hikes in Ohio that are also quite scenic. The next time you feel like exploring Ohio’s great outdoors, consider these three easy and scenic trails.They belong on everyone’s hiking bucket list.
  4. Plateau Trail Located in Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the Plateau Trail, a 4.4-mile loop trail that’s a popular spot for hiking and birding. Several people also use this easy and scenic trail for cross-country skiing during the winter months. The Plateau Trail is accessible year round.
  5. Broken Rock Falls Loop The Broken Rock Falls Loop is a 1-mile loop trail that’s located in Hocking Hills State Park. Most people use this short and easy trail for hiking and walking from April through October.
  6. Dripping Rock Loop Located in Ohio’s Highbanks Metropolitan Park is the Dripping Rock Loop, a 2.6-mile loop trail. This easy trail is mostly used for hiking, walking, and running. The best time of year to use it is from March through November.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in ohio

April 17, 2022

Jennifer Young

What are three of the best kid-friendly hikes around Ohio? Ohio is filled with numerous trails of all lengths and difficulties. While some are easy enough for everyone to hike, many others aren’t. If you have kids in your life and you’ve been wanting to take them on a hike, you’re in luck. There are several trails located throughout Ohio that are suitable for kids to hike. Listed below are three of our favorite kid-friendly trails in Ohio, and soon they’ll be some of your favorites.

  1. Ledges Trail Located in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the Ledges Trail. This 2.3-mile loop trail has a moderate level of difficulty and is perfect for hiking year round.
  2. Brandywine Gorge Trail The Brandywine Gorge Trail is also located in Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It’s a 1.4-mile loop trail that’s great for using from April through October. Most people choose this trail for hiking and running.
  3. Horseshoe Falls Caesar Creek State Park is home to Ohio’s Horseshoe Falls. This 1.7-mile, out-and-back trail is a popular spot for hiking. Just like the Brandywine Gorge Trail, the best time of year to use this trail is from April through October. What three scenic hikes in Ohio are also some of the easiest? When it comes to trails in Ohio, some are difficult to hike, while many others are rather easy. Listed below are three easy hikes in Ohio that are also quite scenic. The next time you feel like exploring Ohio’s great outdoors, consider these three easy and scenic trails.They belong on everyone’s hiking bucket list.
  4. Plateau Trail Located in Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the Plateau Trail, a 4.4-mile loop trail that’s a popular spot for hiking and birding. Several people also use this easy and scenic trail for cross-country skiing during the winter months. The Plateau Trail is accessible year round.
  5. Broken Rock Falls Loop The Broken Rock Falls Loop is a 1-mile loop trail that’s located in Hocking Hills State Park. Most people use this short and easy trail for hiking and walking from April through October.
  6. Dripping Rock Loop Located in Ohio’s Highbanks Metropolitan Park is the Dripping Rock Loop, a 2.6-mile loop trail. This easy trail is mostly used for hiking, walking, and running. The best time of year to use it is from March through November.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Ohio is filled with numerous trails of all lengths and difficulties. While some are easy enough for everyone to hike, many others aren’t. If you have kids in your life and you’ve been wanting to take them on a hike, you’re in luck. There are several trails located throughout Ohio that are suitable for kids to hike. Listed below are three of our favorite kid-friendly trails in Ohio, and soon they’ll be some of your favorites.

  1. Ledges Trail

Located in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the Ledges Trail. This 2.3-mile loop trail has a moderate level of difficulty and is perfect for hiking year round.

  1. Brandywine Gorge Trail

The Brandywine Gorge Trail is also located in Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It’s a 1.4-mile loop trail that’s great for using from April through October. Most people choose this trail for hiking and running.

  1. Horseshoe Falls

Caesar Creek State Park is home to Ohio’s Horseshoe Falls. This 1.7-mile, out-and-back trail is a popular spot for hiking. Just like the Brandywine Gorge Trail, the best time of year to use this trail is from April through October.

What three scenic hikes in Ohio are also some of the easiest?

When it comes to trails in Ohio, some are difficult to hike, while many others are rather easy. Listed below are three easy hikes in Ohio that are also quite scenic. The next time you feel like exploring Ohio’s great outdoors, consider these three easy and scenic trails.They belong on everyone’s hiking bucket list.

  1. Plateau Trail

Located in Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the Plateau Trail, a 4.4-mile loop trail that’s a popular spot for hiking and birding. Several people also use this easy and scenic trail for cross-country skiing during the winter months. The Plateau Trail is accessible year round.

  1. Broken Rock Falls Loop

The Broken Rock Falls Loop is a 1-mile loop trail that’s located in Hocking Hills State Park. Most people use this short and easy trail for hiking and walking from April through October.

  1. Dripping Rock Loop

Located in Ohio’s Highbanks Metropolitan Park is the Dripping Rock Loop, a 2.6-mile loop trail. This easy trail is mostly used for hiking, walking, and running. The best time of year to use it is from March through November.