Summertime in Ohio is adventure time for Ohio explorers and nature lovers. (Be sure to check out our ultimate summer hiking guide.) Sometimes, you don’t get to explore for as long as you like, however. Busy schedules and eventful days can keep us from an all-day adventure — but that doesn’t mean you can’t reserve time for a short, sweet hike in nature. The following trails in Ohio are all less than three miles in length, (and many are less than a mile long), making them the best hikes for a spontaneous afternoon adventure.
Here’s why you’ll want to add these 11 short-and-sweet Buckeye State hikes to your summer bucket list:
- Worden’s Ledges Loop Trail (Hinckley Reservation)
Brian T/AllTrails 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. Address: 908-856 County Highway 135, Hinckley, OH, 44233 Worden’s Ledges, Wordens Ledges Loop Trail, Hinckley, OH 44233, USA
- 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 overlook 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. Address: 12021 Echo Dell Road, East Liverpool, OH, 43920 Beaver Creek State Park, 12021 Echo Dell Rd, East Liverpool, OH 43920, USA
- Schumacher Trail (Cascade Valley Metro Park)
Theresa Heflin/AllTrails This short-but-fun trail in Cascade Valley Metro Park features multiple overlooks along the way, foot bridges and even a wildflower field. It’s a 1.3-mile loop trail that’s pet friendly, but dogs must be kept on a leash. Address: 1475 Sand Run Road, Akron, OH, 44313 Cascade Valley Metro Park-Chuckery Area, 837 Cuyahoga St, Akron, OH 44313, USA
- Woodland Loop Trail (Concord Woods Nature Park)
Concord Woods Nature Park/Facebook Clocking in at just under one mile, this short and sweet trail is scenic and kid-friendly. The park features a playground and even a stocked fishing area. Address: 11231 Spear Road, Painesville, OH, 44077 Concord Woods Nature Park, 11211 Spear Rd, Painesville, OH 44077, USA
- 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, as well as a 0.5-mile-long Rim Trail. Address: 19852 OH 664, Logan, OH, 43138 Ash Cave, OH-56, Logan, OH 43138, USA
- Orange Trail (Sugarcreek Metro Park)
Lori Summers/AllTrails Along the 1.3-mile Orange Trail, you’ll see the Osage Orange Tunnel. It’s a breathtaking natural wonder you’ll absolutely love, and provides so much natural shade on a hot summer’s day! Address: 4178 Conference Road, Bellbrook, OH, 45305 Sugarcreek MetroPark, 4178 Conference Rd, Bellbrook, OH 45305, USA
- Cascade Falls (Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park)
Amanda Baluch/AllTrails 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 want to check out. Address: 12440 OH-282, Garrettsville, OH, 44231 Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, 12440 OH-282, Garrettsville, OH 44231, USA
- 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. Address: 9601 Headlands Road, Mentor, OH, 44060 Headlands Beach State Park, 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060, USA
- Piatt Park Gorge Trail (Woodsfield)
Ohio Hiking Trails and Historical Sites./Facebook This small county park is hiding a nature lover’s secret. The hiking trail at Piatt Park features a stunning natural gorge, rock shelter and several small waterfalls. This little-known park in Ohio is worth seeking out! Address: 105 West Court Street, Woodsfield, OH, 43793 Piatt Park, 100 Garfield Pl, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA
- 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 wildlife. The trail is located near the Metroparks’ maintenance center on Garfield Parkway. This really is one of the best parks in Cleveland! Address: 11350 Broadway Avenue, Garfield Heights, OH, 44125 Garfield Park Reservation, 11350 Broadway Ave, Garfield Heights, OH 44125, USA
- Charleston Falls Preserve Loop (Tipp City)
Lyndsay Coleman/AllTrails This nature preserve in Ohio is home to more than three miles of trails, and the trek to the falls is a fairly easy hike. (There’s also a small cave that’s fun to find.) Because Charleston Falls’ rock strata is the same as Niagara Falls, it’s often called a “Miniature Niagara.” Like any waterfall, it’s best viewed after heavy rainfall. Address: 2535 Ross Road, Tipp City, OH, 45371 Charleston Falls Preserve, 2535 Ross Rd, Tipp City, OH 45371, USA
Have you ever hiked any of these trails before? What others would you add to this list? What are your picks for the best summer hikes in Ohio? Share your thoughts, photos and recommendations with us in the comments section below!
Brian T/AllTrails
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. Address: 908-856 County Highway 135, Hinckley, OH, 44233
Worden’s Ledges, Wordens Ledges Loop Trail, Hinckley, OH 44233, USA
Beaver Creek State Park/Facebook
You don’t always have to hike very far, or very strenuously, to get to a gorgeous overlook 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. Address: 12021 Echo Dell Road, East Liverpool, OH, 43920
Beaver Creek State Park, 12021 Echo Dell Rd, East Liverpool, OH 43920, USA
Theresa Heflin/AllTrails
This short-but-fun trail in Cascade Valley Metro Park features multiple overlooks along the way, foot bridges and even a wildflower field. It’s a 1.3-mile loop trail that’s pet friendly, but dogs must be kept on a leash. Address: 1475 Sand Run Road, Akron, OH, 44313
Cascade Valley Metro Park-Chuckery Area, 837 Cuyahoga St, Akron, OH 44313, USA
Concord Woods Nature Park/Facebook
Clocking in at just under one mile, this short and sweet trail is scenic and kid-friendly. The park features a playground and even a stocked fishing area. Address: 11231 Spear Road, Painesville, OH, 44077
Concord Woods Nature Park, 11211 Spear Rd, Painesville, OH 44077, 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, as well as a 0.5-mile-long Rim Trail. Address: 19852 OH 664, Logan, OH, 43138
Ash Cave, OH-56, Logan, OH 43138, USA
Lori Summers/AllTrails
Along the 1.3-mile Orange Trail, you’ll see the Osage Orange Tunnel. It’s a breathtaking natural wonder you’ll absolutely love, and provides so much natural shade on a hot summer’s day! Address: 4178 Conference Road, Bellbrook, OH, 45305
Sugarcreek MetroPark, 4178 Conference Rd, Bellbrook, OH 45305, USA
Amanda Baluch/AllTrails
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 want to check out. Address: 12440 OH-282, Garrettsville, OH, 44231
Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, 12440 OH-282, Garrettsville, OH 44231, USA
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. Address: 9601 Headlands Road, Mentor, OH, 44060
Headlands Beach State Park, 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060, USA
Ohio Hiking Trails and Historical Sites./Facebook
This small county park is hiding a nature lover’s secret. The hiking trail at Piatt Park features a stunning natural gorge, rock shelter and several small waterfalls. This little-known park in Ohio is worth seeking out! Address: 105 West Court Street, Woodsfield, OH, 43793
Piatt Park, 100 Garfield Pl, Cincinnati, OH 45202, 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 wildlife. The trail is located near the Metroparks’ maintenance center on Garfield Parkway. This really is one of the best parks in Cleveland! Address: 11350 Broadway Avenue, Garfield Heights, OH, 44125
Garfield Park Reservation, 11350 Broadway Ave, Garfield Heights, OH 44125, USA
Lyndsay Coleman/AllTrails
This nature preserve in Ohio is home to more than three miles of trails, and the trek to the falls is a fairly easy hike. (There’s also a small cave that’s fun to find.) Because Charleston Falls’ rock strata is the same as Niagara Falls, it’s often called a “Miniature Niagara.” Like any waterfall, it’s best viewed after heavy rainfall. Address: 2535 Ross Road, Tipp City, OH, 45371
Charleston Falls Preserve, 2535 Ross Rd, Tipp City, OH 45371, USA
For more awesome hikes to take in Ohio this summer, check out our previous article: The Ultimate Ohio Hiking Guide That Will Take Your Summer To The Next Level.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Ohio April 24, 2022 Sarah M. What are the best waterfall hikes in Ohio? When the summer heat and haze descend upon the Buckeye State, the best course of action is to hit the trails, many of which provide lush tree canopies that will help cool you off. Even better? Hitting a waterfall trail during the summer in Ohio! Luckily, the Buckeye State is home to some truly wondrous waterfalls, and by extension, wondrous waterfall hikes. One of our favorite places for waterfall chasing in Ohio is Hocking Hills State Park, which really is a dream of a destination for waterfall enthusiasts! With numerous falls located within the park, you could easily spend days exploring its many natural wonders, and that’s a challenge we’d happily take on! Old Man’s Cave and Ash Falls are two stellar waterfall hikes, and they are both short and straightforward enough that hikers of all ages and abilities can enjoy them. Another waterfall hike we adore in Ohio is the trek to Charleston Falls. It’s perfect for a day hike when you need a little adventure in your life, but not too much. The 1.8-mile loop to the falls is a fairly easy hike, and there’s also a small cave that’s fun to find. And over in the gorgeous Glen Helen Nature Preserve, the Inman Trail takes you to both Glen Helen Falls and the official “Yellow Spring,” the natural wonder for which the town of Yellow Springs is named. It’s a loop trail that’s categorized as “moderate,” and it really is quite a beautiful hike in the summer!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best hikes in Ohio
April 24, 2022
Sarah M.
What are the best waterfall hikes in Ohio? When the summer heat and haze descend upon the Buckeye State, the best course of action is to hit the trails, many of which provide lush tree canopies that will help cool you off. Even better? Hitting a waterfall trail during the summer in Ohio! Luckily, the Buckeye State is home to some truly wondrous waterfalls, and by extension, wondrous waterfall hikes. One of our favorite places for waterfall chasing in Ohio is Hocking Hills State Park, which really is a dream of a destination for waterfall enthusiasts! With numerous falls located within the park, you could easily spend days exploring its many natural wonders, and that’s a challenge we’d happily take on! Old Man’s Cave and Ash Falls are two stellar waterfall hikes, and they are both short and straightforward enough that hikers of all ages and abilities can enjoy them. Another waterfall hike we adore in Ohio is the trek to Charleston Falls. It’s perfect for a day hike when you need a little adventure in your life, but not too much. The 1.8-mile loop to the falls is a fairly easy hike, and there’s also a small cave that’s fun to find. And over in the gorgeous Glen Helen Nature Preserve, the Inman Trail takes you to both Glen Helen Falls and the official “Yellow Spring,” the natural wonder for which the town of Yellow Springs is named. It’s a loop trail that’s categorized as “moderate,” and it really is quite a beautiful hike in the summer!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
When the summer heat and haze descend upon the Buckeye State, the best course of action is to hit the trails, many of which provide lush tree canopies that will help cool you off. Even better? Hitting a waterfall trail during the summer in Ohio! Luckily, the Buckeye State is home to some truly wondrous waterfalls, and by extension, wondrous waterfall hikes.
One of our favorite places for waterfall chasing in Ohio is Hocking Hills State Park, which really is a dream of a destination for waterfall enthusiasts! With numerous falls located within the park, you could easily spend days exploring its many natural wonders, and that’s a challenge we’d happily take on! Old Man’s Cave and Ash Falls are two stellar waterfall hikes, and they are both short and straightforward enough that hikers of all ages and abilities can enjoy them.
Another waterfall hike we adore in Ohio is the trek to Charleston Falls. It’s perfect for a day hike when you need a little adventure in your life, but not too much. The 1.8-mile loop to the falls is a fairly easy hike, and there’s also a small cave that’s fun to find. And over in the gorgeous Glen Helen Nature Preserve, the Inman Trail takes you to both Glen Helen Falls and the official “Yellow Spring,” the natural wonder for which the town of Yellow Springs is named. It’s a loop trail that’s categorized as “moderate,” and it really is quite a beautiful hike in the summer!
