Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts in the Buckeye State are always looking for great places to explore. From parks to reservations, natural areas, and more, you’ll find within them some of the best hikes in Cleveland. Who needs a five-star hotel when you can enjoy Mother Nature’s finest attractions? Pack some trail mix, water, and your sense of adventure because you’ll want to spend all day exploring these eight pretty sites.
- Lake View Cemetery Loop
David Keckan/AllTrails The Lake View Cemetery Loop is by far one of the best hikes in Cleveland. Lake View Cemetery is a Victorian-era garden-style cemetery, meaning it was laid out to be beautiful and park-like from the very beginning. It is overflowing with exquisite and unique architecture, some of which dates back to 1869. At nearly 300 acres in size, there’s much to see and do here, including visiting the resting place of Alan Freed, the man that coined the term “rock and roll,” and the resting place of the second president to be assassinated - James A. Garfield. Who says that a burial ground can’t also be a wonderful hiking spot? Visit this one-of-a-kind Cleveland gem at 12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106. Lake View Cemetery, 12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Fort Hill Earthworks Trail
Erik Drost/Flickr Tucked away in Rocky River Reservation is Fort Hill Earthworks Trail, an enchanting four-mile hike that takes you to the most magnificent views in the entire park. This park is full of local history, housing the first plot of land purchased by the Cleveland Metroparks, as well as an archaeological site that one could easily overlook if they weren’t prepared to search for it. Here, authentic earthworks in the forms of walls and ditches are hidden along the length of this trail, hinting at local human activity some 2,000 years ago. Visit Rocky River Reservation off of Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted, OH 44070. Fort Hill Earthworks & Nature Preserve, 13614 Fort Hill Rd, Hillsboro, OH 45133, USA
- Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve
Amanda Porcelli/AllTrails Nestled against Lake Erie’s shore is a gorgeous little habitat that’s full of birdsong and verdant wonder. Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve doesn’t come from the best of circumstances, as there are two sunken ships offshore (they were intentionally sunk to create a break wall to protect the beach) and there’s a history of waste dumping at the site. However, Mother Nature has reclaimed this spot, and you’ll love what she’s done with the place. Hike the park’s three trails (all of which total under three miles) and admire the circa 280 species of birds that frequent this pretty spot which is among the most scenic hikes in Ohio. Find the preserve at 8701 Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44108. Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve
- Bridle, Castle Valley, and Hemlock Trail Loop
Samuel Kline/AllTrails If you’re looking for “hiking trails near me” in the Cleveland area, these three trails in North Chagrin Reservation combine to make a roughly 5.5-mile trek, but boy, is it beautiful. There’s an old-growth forest in this park with trees that are hundreds of years old, and, as you can see, there’s also a historic castle protruding proudly from the local landscape. Enjoy the majesty of this lovely park along the Bridle, Castle Valley, and Hemlock Trail Loop. Visit North Chagrin Reservation at 3037 Som Center Rd, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094. North Chagrin Reservation, 3037 Som Center Rd, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094, USA
- CanalWay Center Loop
Tim Evanson/Flickr CanalWay Center Loop is a coveted trail that’s a mere 1.5 miles, but it is chock-full of beauty and history alike. Inside of CanalWay Center is a canal boat play area and displays highlighting local wildlife. Outside, you’ll find a portion of the Towpath Trail and the park’s namesake canal. The historic Ohio and Erie Canal began operations in the 1820s and it helped the industry grow in the area. James Garfield, the second president ever to be assassinated is buried over in Lake View Cemetery. On days where barges needed some assistance moving, mules would pull them via a trail running parallel to the canal system. Today, you can hike the historic mule route on the famous Towpath Trail. Cool, right? Visit CanalWay Center at 4524 E 49th St, Cleveland, OH 44125. CanalWay Center, 4524 E 49th St, Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125, USA
- Mcintosh Loop Trail
Daniel Ferrell/AllTrails This pretty loop trail is a particular treat in the autumn months. Mcintosh Loop Trail will immerse you in the beauty of Orchard Hills Park, a 237-acre expanse in the Geauga Park District that’s downright dreamy. The park enjoyed a former life as a well-manicured golf course, but the landscape has increasingly been returned to a more pristine natural state. It’s going well, as you can see, and today is one of the most scenic hikes in Ohio! It seems that this stunning local landscape transforms with every visit. Swing by Orchard Hills Park at 11340 Caves Rd, Chesterland, OH 44026. Orchard Hills Park, 11340 Caves Rd, Chesterland, OH 44026, USA
- West Ridgewood Wetland Boardwalk and West Creek Loop
random things/Google Images If you’ve never been to West Creek Reservation in the Cleveland Metroparks, you might enjoy a trek along the West Ridgewood Wetland Boardwalk and West Creek Loop. This two-mile hike, one of the most kid-friendly hikes around Cleveland, takes you through some of the most breathtaking portions of the park, which spans an impressive 326 acres of gorges, waterways, wetlands, and more. Explore West Creek Reservation at 2277 W Ridgewood Dr, Parma, OH 44134. West Creek Reservation, 2277 W Ridgewood Dr, Parma, OH 44134, USA
- Edgewater Beach Trail
Erik Drost/Flickr The Edgewater Beach Trail is a magnificent 1.5-mile hike along one of the loveliest beaches, Edgewater Beach, on Lake Erie. As part of Lakefront Reservation, this pretty area is managed by the Cleveland Metroparks and is an absolute haven in the summer months. Besides being one of the best hikes in Cleveland, it’s an excellent place for fun in the sun and summertime concerts. But it’s arguably more enchanting once things cool down and the tourists all but abandon the area. Enjoy lakefront splendor and killer views of the Cleveland skyline at Lakefront Reservation. Find the beach near 6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland, OH 44102. Edgewater Beach, Cleveland, OH 44102, USA
Visitors agree that these scenic spots are among the best hikes in Cleveland. Do you agree? Is there anything else you’d add to this list? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
David Keckan/AllTrails
The Lake View Cemetery Loop is by far one of the best hikes in Cleveland. Lake View Cemetery is a Victorian-era garden-style cemetery, meaning it was laid out to be beautiful and park-like from the very beginning. It is overflowing with exquisite and unique architecture, some of which dates back to 1869. At nearly 300 acres in size, there’s much to see and do here, including visiting the resting place of Alan Freed, the man that coined the term “rock and roll,” and the resting place of the second president to be assassinated - James A. Garfield. Who says that a burial ground can’t also be a wonderful hiking spot? Visit this one-of-a-kind Cleveland gem at 12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106.
Lake View Cemetery, 12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Erik Drost/Flickr
Tucked away in Rocky River Reservation is Fort Hill Earthworks Trail, an enchanting four-mile hike that takes you to the most magnificent views in the entire park. This park is full of local history, housing the first plot of land purchased by the Cleveland Metroparks, as well as an archaeological site that one could easily overlook if they weren’t prepared to search for it. Here, authentic earthworks in the forms of walls and ditches are hidden along the length of this trail, hinting at local human activity some 2,000 years ago. Visit Rocky River Reservation off of Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted, OH 44070.
Fort Hill Earthworks & Nature Preserve, 13614 Fort Hill Rd, Hillsboro, OH 45133, USA
Amanda Porcelli/AllTrails
Nestled against Lake Erie’s shore is a gorgeous little habitat that’s full of birdsong and verdant wonder. Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve doesn’t come from the best of circumstances, as there are two sunken ships offshore (they were intentionally sunk to create a break wall to protect the beach) and there’s a history of waste dumping at the site. However, Mother Nature has reclaimed this spot, and you’ll love what she’s done with the place. Hike the park’s three trails (all of which total under three miles) and admire the circa 280 species of birds that frequent this pretty spot which is among the most scenic hikes in Ohio. Find the preserve at 8701 Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44108.
Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve
Samuel Kline/AllTrails
If you’re looking for “hiking trails near me” in the Cleveland area, these three trails in North Chagrin Reservation combine to make a roughly 5.5-mile trek, but boy, is it beautiful. There’s an old-growth forest in this park with trees that are hundreds of years old, and, as you can see, there’s also a historic castle protruding proudly from the local landscape. Enjoy the majesty of this lovely park along the Bridle, Castle Valley, and Hemlock Trail Loop. Visit North Chagrin Reservation at 3037 Som Center Rd, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094.
North Chagrin Reservation, 3037 Som Center Rd, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094, USA
Tim Evanson/Flickr
CanalWay Center Loop is a coveted trail that’s a mere 1.5 miles, but it is chock-full of beauty and history alike. Inside of CanalWay Center is a canal boat play area and displays highlighting local wildlife. Outside, you’ll find a portion of the Towpath Trail and the park’s namesake canal. The historic Ohio and Erie Canal began operations in the 1820s and it helped the industry grow in the area. James Garfield, the second president ever to be assassinated is buried over in Lake View Cemetery. On days where barges needed some assistance moving, mules would pull them via a trail running parallel to the canal system. Today, you can hike the historic mule route on the famous Towpath Trail. Cool, right? Visit CanalWay Center at 4524 E 49th St, Cleveland, OH 44125.
CanalWay Center, 4524 E 49th St, Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125, USA
Daniel Ferrell/AllTrails
This pretty loop trail is a particular treat in the autumn months. Mcintosh Loop Trail will immerse you in the beauty of Orchard Hills Park, a 237-acre expanse in the Geauga Park District that’s downright dreamy. The park enjoyed a former life as a well-manicured golf course, but the landscape has increasingly been returned to a more pristine natural state. It’s going well, as you can see, and today is one of the most scenic hikes in Ohio! It seems that this stunning local landscape transforms with every visit. Swing by Orchard Hills Park at 11340 Caves Rd, Chesterland, OH 44026.
Orchard Hills Park, 11340 Caves Rd, Chesterland, OH 44026, USA
random things/Google Images
If you’ve never been to West Creek Reservation in the Cleveland Metroparks, you might enjoy a trek along the West Ridgewood Wetland Boardwalk and West Creek Loop. This two-mile hike, one of the most kid-friendly hikes around Cleveland, takes you through some of the most breathtaking portions of the park, which spans an impressive 326 acres of gorges, waterways, wetlands, and more. Explore West Creek Reservation at 2277 W Ridgewood Dr, Parma, OH 44134.
West Creek Reservation, 2277 W Ridgewood Dr, Parma, OH 44134, USA
The Edgewater Beach Trail is a magnificent 1.5-mile hike along one of the loveliest beaches, Edgewater Beach, on Lake Erie. As part of Lakefront Reservation, this pretty area is managed by the Cleveland Metroparks and is an absolute haven in the summer months. Besides being one of the best hikes in Cleveland, it’s an excellent place for fun in the sun and summertime concerts. But it’s arguably more enchanting once things cool down and the tourists all but abandon the area. Enjoy lakefront splendor and killer views of the Cleveland skyline at Lakefront Reservation. Find the beach near 6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland, OH 44102.
Edgewater Beach, Cleveland, OH 44102, USA
Looking to beef up your nature bucket list with more hiking trails? Check out this list of kid-friendly hikes around Cleveland.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Cleveland July 24, 2022 Lysa Allman-Baldwin I’m looking for a hiking trail with a waterfall in Ohio. Depending on where you live, you will find a number of beautiful hiking trails that lead to waterfalls. If you live in the Dayton area, you might consider the Inman Trail. This moderate trail, one of the most scenic in Ohio, is very popular with hikers because the prize along the way is the views of Glen Helen Falls. Pack a lunch and plan to spend some time here to also explore the Glen Helen Nature Preserve in which the trail sits. How do I get to Mohican State Park? If you’re in the Columbus area, take Interstate 71 north to Highway 13 south, then Highway 97 east to the park turn-off. From Akron, take Interstate 75 south then west until you get to Highway 21 (which eventually turns into Highway 585) south to Highway 30 west, and finally Highway 3 south to the park turn-off. No matter where in the state you are coming from, Mohican State Park is a real treat! Outdoor recreational activities include biking, hiking (the trails here are among the most scenic hikes in Ohio), camping, bird watching, and boating, just to name a few, within the park’s 1,110-acre expanse. And because Ohio enjoys four full seasons, the landscape will change dramatically each time you come, making it feel like a new experience. Are there any haunted places in Ohio? Like most states, there are quite a few haunted places in Ohio. In fact, you can make an entire supernatural road trip itinerary out of them. A few to get you going are the Moonville Tunnel in McArthur, the Old State Reformatory in Mansfield, Franklin Castle (it is also called the Hannes Tiedemann House) in Cleveland, and believe it or not, on the campus of Ohio University in Athens. These destinations and others can be explored on your own, or with a group via any number of organizations that offer haunted tours.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Cleveland
July 24, 2022
Lysa Allman-Baldwin
I’m looking for a hiking trail with a waterfall in Ohio. Depending on where you live, you will find a number of beautiful hiking trails that lead to waterfalls. If you live in the Dayton area, you might consider the Inman Trail. This moderate trail, one of the most scenic in Ohio, is very popular with hikers because the prize along the way is the views of Glen Helen Falls. Pack a lunch and plan to spend some time here to also explore the Glen Helen Nature Preserve in which the trail sits. How do I get to Mohican State Park? If you’re in the Columbus area, take Interstate 71 north to Highway 13 south, then Highway 97 east to the park turn-off. From Akron, take Interstate 75 south then west until you get to Highway 21 (which eventually turns into Highway 585) south to Highway 30 west, and finally Highway 3 south to the park turn-off. No matter where in the state you are coming from, Mohican State Park is a real treat! Outdoor recreational activities include biking, hiking (the trails here are among the most scenic hikes in Ohio), camping, bird watching, and boating, just to name a few, within the park’s 1,110-acre expanse. And because Ohio enjoys four full seasons, the landscape will change dramatically each time you come, making it feel like a new experience. Are there any haunted places in Ohio? Like most states, there are quite a few haunted places in Ohio. In fact, you can make an entire supernatural road trip itinerary out of them. A few to get you going are the Moonville Tunnel in McArthur, the Old State Reformatory in Mansfield, Franklin Castle (it is also called the Hannes Tiedemann House) in Cleveland, and believe it or not, on the campus of Ohio University in Athens. These destinations and others can be explored on your own, or with a group via any number of organizations that offer haunted tours.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Depending on where you live, you will find a number of beautiful hiking trails that lead to waterfalls. If you live in the Dayton area, you might consider the Inman Trail. This moderate trail, one of the most scenic in Ohio, is very popular with hikers because the prize along the way is the views of Glen Helen Falls. Pack a lunch and plan to spend some time here to also explore the Glen Helen Nature Preserve in which the trail sits.
How do I get to Mohican State Park?
If you’re in the Columbus area, take Interstate 71 north to Highway 13 south, then Highway 97 east to the park turn-off. From Akron, take Interstate 75 south then west until you get to Highway 21 (which eventually turns into Highway 585) south to Highway 30 west, and finally Highway 3 south to the park turn-off. No matter where in the state you are coming from, Mohican State Park is a real treat! Outdoor recreational activities include biking, hiking (the trails here are among the most scenic hikes in Ohio), camping, bird watching, and boating, just to name a few, within the park’s 1,110-acre expanse. And because Ohio enjoys four full seasons, the landscape will change dramatically each time you come, making it feel like a new experience.
Are there any haunted places in Ohio?
Like most states, there are quite a few haunted places in Ohio. In fact, you can make an entire supernatural road trip itinerary out of them. A few to get you going are the Moonville Tunnel in McArthur, the Old State Reformatory in Mansfield, Franklin Castle (it is also called the Hannes Tiedemann House) in Cleveland, and believe it or not, on the campus of Ohio University in Athens. These destinations and others can be explored on your own, or with a group via any number of organizations that offer haunted tours.
