The Best Places to Go Hiking in Northeast Ohio
Cleveland's many parks and Lake Erie vistas make it an ideal place for a hike. From Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the south to Geneva State Park in the east, we'll share our favorite trails.
With more than 33,000 acres, Cuyahoga Valley National Park rarely seems crowded. Ohio's only national park extends from just south of I-480 all the way to Akron and offers more than 125 miles of hiking trails.
Highlights include the 19.5 mile Canal towpath trail the follows the original Ohio-Erie Canal route, the gentle Buckeye trail that passes Frazee House and many of the park's other attractions, and the scenic, 1.25-mile Brandywine Gorge Trail that goes past beautiful Brandywine Falls.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Canal Visitor Center
Canal Rd. at Hillside Rd.
216 524-1497
800 445-9667
This five-mile loop starts and ends at the Geneva State Park Lodge and hugs the Lake Erie shoreline past the park's marina, into the woods and alongside the beach before turning around at the cottages. The ever-present lake views make this a winner in any season.
Geneva State Park
4499 Padanarum Rd
Geneva, OH 44041
440 466-8400
In addition to the canal towpath that bisects the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, there is the part of the trail that begins in Cuyahoga Heights in the Canal Way Center of the Cleveland Metroparks and winds its way through Valley View along the canal bed. This hike is on most even grown and passes two of the canal's restored locks.
Canalway Center
Cleveland Metroparks
4524 East 49th Street
Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125
Reputed to be haunted, the shell of Squire's Castle is the focal point of a hike in the North Chagrin Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. The 5.2-mile loop also includes a stroll in the woods and along the Chagrin River.
North Chagrin Reservation
Cleveland Metroparks
2794 River Road
Willoughby, OH
Though it may not be a place you'd typically think of for a hike, Lakeview Cemetery, located just east of Cleveland's Little Italy, is filled with beautiful, old growth trees, spring flowers and fascinating history. You can stop and visit the Garfield Monument here or gaze at the authentic Tiffany window in the Wade Chapel. It's rarely crowded and always peaceful.
Lakeview Cemetery
12316 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44106
216 421-2665
(updated 9-30-14)
•Cuyahoga Valley National Park
With more than 33,000 acres, Cuyahoga Valley National Park rarely seems crowded. Ohio's only national park extends from just south of I-480 all the way to Akron and offers more than 125 miles of hiking trails.
Highlights include the 19.5 mile Canal towpath trail the follows the original Ohio-Erie Canal route, the gentle Buckeye trail that passes Frazee House and many of the park's other attractions, and the scenic, 1.25-mile Brandywine Gorge Trail that goes past beautiful Brandywine Falls.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Canal Visitor Center
Canal Rd. at Hillside Rd.
216 524-1497
800 445-9667
•Geneva State Park
This five-mile loop starts and ends at the Geneva State Park Lodge and hugs the Lake Erie shoreline past the park's marina, into the woods and alongside the beach before turning around at the cottages. The ever-present lake views make this a winner in any season.
Geneva State Park
4499 Padanarum Rd
Geneva, OH 44041
440 466-8400
•Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath
In addition to the canal towpath that bisects the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, there is the part of the trail that begins in Cuyahoga Heights in the Canal Way Center of the Cleveland Metroparks and winds its way through Valley View along the canal bed. This hike is on most even grown and passes two of the canal's restored locks.
Canalway Center
Cleveland Metroparks
4524 East 49th Street
Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125
•Squire's Castle at North Chagrin Reservation
Reputed to be haunted, the shell of Squire's Castle is the focal point of a hike in the North Chagrin Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. The 5.2-mile loop also includes a stroll in the woods and along the Chagrin River.
North Chagrin Reservation
Cleveland Metroparks
2794 River Road
Willoughby, OH
•Lakeview Cemetery
Though it may not be a place you'd typically think of for a hike, Lakeview Cemetery, located just east of Cleveland's Little Italy, is filled with beautiful, old growth trees, spring flowers and fascinating history. You can stop and visit the Garfield Monument here or gaze at the authentic Tiffany window in the Wade Chapel. It's rarely crowded and always peaceful.
Lakeview Cemetery
12316 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44106
216 421-2665
•More outdoor adventures in Cleveland
- Cleveland Metroparks
- Holden Arboretum
- Summit County Metroparks
(updated 9-30-14)