The Chippewa Trail at Silver Creek Metro Park is the kind of hike that becomes far more interesting once you know what you're looking at. The 2-mile loop in Norton passes through woods, open fields, old orchards and former farmland while showcasing a landscape shaped by agriculture, coal mining and decades of reforestation. Its centerpiece is the historic Harter Barn, a striking reminder that much of today's 1,000-acre Metro Park was once a working dairy farm. Trail Info Leng

Tucked away in Streetsboro, Ohio, Trail Lake Park is one of the hidden gems of the Portage Park District, offering peaceful woodlands, wetlands, scenic lake views, and a surprising amount of history. The park's Kingfisher Way Loop takes hikers through a beautiful landscape with connections to an ancient Native American travel route, Abraham Lincoln's journey to Washington, D.C., and a former commercial fish farm. Although the park only opened to the public in 2020, its histor

Tucked away in Liberty Park in Twinsburg, Ohio, the Ledges Trail is one of the most fascinating short hikes in the Summit Metro Parks system. This scenic loop takes hikers through a mature hardwood forest, beneath large sandstone cliffs, and into Glacier Cave, an unusual rock formation shaped by millions of years of erosion. With ancient geology, a landscape once traveled by Indigenous peoples, and a beautiful wetland boardwalk, the trail offers an incredible amount of scener

Tucked away in the southeastern corner of Summit County, Springfield Bog Metro Park offers one of the most unique hiking experiences in the Akron area. The park's 1.6-mile Prairie Trail winds through expansive grasslands, colorful wildflower meadows, and ancient wetlands shaped by retreating glaciers thousands of years ago. Beyond its natural beauty, this hidden gem in the Summit Metro Parks system has a fascinating history involving prehistoric Native American inhabitants, g

Hidden among the neighborhoods of northwest Akron, F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm is one of the most unique properties within Summit Metro Parks. Unlike parks built primarily around hiking and recreation, the Nature Realm was created with a different purpose in mind: giving visitors a place to study, appreciate, and interact with the natural world. More than half a century later, its forests, ponds, wetlands, prairie, gardens, and short hiking trails have turned the property in

The Cleveland Metroparks is home to some of the best hiking trails in Northeast Ohio, with more than 25,000 acres of forests, rocky gorges, waterfalls, wetlands, and scenic overlooks surrounding the Cleveland area. From rugged trails through sandstone ledges to peaceful walks beside rivers and hidden waterfalls, the “Emerald Necklace” offers an impressive variety of hikes just minutes from the city. Whether you’re searching for beautiful scenery, challenging terrain, or a tra

Hiking the Nuthatch Trail in Sand Run Metro Park offers a 3.3-mile journey through one of Akron’s most historic natural areas. Formerly known as the Mingo Trail, the route climbs through mature forest while revealing a landscape shaped by centuries of Indigenous history and the nearby Portage Path. The trail also connects Sand Run Metro Park with F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, allowing hikers to explore two of Summit Metro Parks’ most scenic parks on foot. With challenging ter

Hiking through Richfield Heritage Preserve is unlike almost any other trail experience in Northeast Ohio. Spread across 336 acres in Richfield, the preserve combines wooded ravines, streams and two lakes with the remnants of a former Girl Scout camp and an even older country estate. Today’s trails pass historic homes, old camp buildings and some wonderfully unusual structures, making a hike through the former Camp Crowell Hilaka feel as much like an exploration of the past as

Hiking the Haskell Run Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a short but surprisingly history-packed adventure through one of CVNP’s quieter corners. Beginning near Happy Days Lodge, the trail winds past the historic Mater Dolorosa Cemetery, follows peaceful Haskell Run through a wooded ravine, and connects with trails leading toward The Ledges. Along the way, hikers encounter stories of Civil War tragedy, early Peninsula settlers, local folklore and the Civilian Conserva

Hiking the Spring Hollow Trail at Hampton Hills Metro Park offers one of the more rugged woodland hikes in the Akron area. The 2-mile Summit Metro Parks loop winds through the scenic Adam Run Valley, climbing steep hills and passing wooded ravines beneath a mature hardwood forest. Along the way, hikers experience a landscape shaped by ancient glaciers, seasonal wildflowers, and the beauty of one of Summit County’s most underrated parks. Trail Info Length 2 miles Elevation gai

The Great Falls of Tinkers Creek is not only one of the largest waterfalls in Northeast Ohio, but also one of the region's most historically significant natural landmarks. Located in what is now Viaduct Park within Cleveland Metroparks' Bedford Reservation, the falls have shaped both the landscape and the development of Bedford for thousands of years. Best of all, the falls are just a short walk from the parking area, making them an easy destination for visitors of all ages a

Hiking the Indian Spring Trail at Munroe Falls Metro Park offers a scenic woodland escape just outside Akron. This popular Summit Metro Parks trail winds through mature forest, crosses small streams and ravines, and passes the natural spring that gives the trail its name. With gentle hills, peaceful woods, and plenty of shade, the Indian Spring Trail is an easy hike that showcases the quieter side of Munroe Falls Metro Park. Trail Info Length 2.3 miles Elevation gain 130 feet

The Seneca Trail at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm is a scenic 1.4-mile loop that combines hiking, nature, and a surprising amount of Akron history. The trail winds through hardwood forest, towering pines, and open prairie while passing remnants of the farmland that once occupied the property. With rolling terrain, diverse habitats, and an old barn foundation hidden along the route, Seneca is one of the most interesting hikes in Summit Metro Parks. Trail Info Length 1.4 miles E

The Fernwood Loop at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm is an easy 0.9-mile hike through one of Akron’s most scenic and historic natural areas. The trail winds through mature forest, crosses the Nature Realm’s iconic suspension bridge, and passes Echo Pond while revealing a landscape that was once largely open farmland. Today, the hike offers a peaceful escape within Summit Metro Parks and a fascinating look at how nature has reclaimed this corner of Akron. Trail Info Length 1 mile

The Cherry Lane Trail at F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm is a short but scenic hike through one of Akron, Ohio’s most unique Summit Metro Parks. The 0.6-mile loop winds through a peaceful forest, crosses the Nature Realm’s iconic suspension bridge, and passes picturesque Echo Pond. Along the way, hikers can experience a landscape with deep ties to F.A. Seiberling, the co-founder of Goodyear and an important figure in the creation of Akron’s early park system. For an easy hike th

Few hikes in Northeast Ohio combine scenery and history quite like the Gorge Loop at Lanterman’s Mill in Youngstown’s Mill Creek Park. The trail winds through a surprisingly rugged sandstone gorge along Mill Creek, passing towering rock walls, historic landmarks and the picturesque Lanterman’s Falls. Along the way, hikers encounter more than two centuries of local history, from an 1800s gristmill and a Victorian-era suspension bridge to forgotten mineral springs and even tale

Tucked into the wooded hills of Furnace Run Metro Park, the Rock Creek & Old Mill Loop combines a peaceful Northeast Ohio hike with more than two centuries of local history. The trail winds beneath a mature hardwood canopy, follows scenic Rock Creek, and explores land once surrounded by some of Richfield’s earliest water-powered sawmills. Along the way, hikers can discover the story of the Brush family, whose land helped establish Furnace Run Metro Park in 1929. With beautifu

Tucked into the rolling hills of O’Neil Woods Metro Park, the Deer Run Loop is a peaceful woodland hike where the trail rarely stays flat—or straight—for long. The path twists through a mature hardwood forest, repeatedly climbing and descending gentle slopes before dropping toward the banks of Yellow Creek. Along the way, hikers pass the park’s historic red barn, a reminder of the O’Neil family farm that once occupied the land. With quiet woods, rolling terrain, and a touch o

Backpacking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park comes with one major catch: overnight camping isn't permitted within the park. Still, with more than 125 miles of trails winding through forests, rolling hills, and river valleys, you can piece together a legitimate overnight or multi-day adventure. The key is planning each day to end at a campground just outside of the park or a privately owned accommodation within the park before returning to the trail the next morning. It requir

Tucked away in Munroe Falls Metro Park, the Meadow Loop is one of the Akron area's hidden hiking gems, offering an easygoing walk through a surprisingly colorful landscape. Vast fields of goldenrod stretch along the trail, their brilliant yellow blooms mixing with asters and various other vibrant wildflowers throughout the warmer months. The sweeping meadows provide a beautiful contrast to the surrounding forest and give portions of the hike a wide-open, almost countryside fe

Tucked away in Hinckley Reservation, the Whipps Ledges Trail feels more like a natural playground than a typical walk through the woods. Massive sandstone cliffs, narrow passageways, deep crevices, and weathered rock formations turn this short hike into one of the most unique adventures in Northeast Ohio. The trail winds beneath towering ledges and through a shady hardwood forest, with plenty of opportunities to wander among the rocks and explore along the way. Despite its ru

Autumn transforms Cuyahoga Valley National Park into one of Northeast Ohio’s most spectacular landscapes, as the park’s dense forests erupt in brilliant shades of red, orange, gold, and yellow. Maples, oaks, beeches, and other hardwoods blanket the rolling hillsides with color, while fallen leaves cover trails winding past sandstone ledges, gentle streams, waterfalls, and the Cuyahoga River. From sweeping views at the Ledges Overlook to colorful forests surrounding Brandywine

Glacier National Park is one of the best wildlife-viewing destinations in the United States, protecting more than one million acres of diverse habitat that supports more than 70 mammal species. Grizzly and black bears, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, coyotes, marmots, bald eagles, golden eagles, and many other animals can be found throughout the park, but certain areas consistently offer better viewing opportunities. Visitors can improve their chances by

Hiking to Fishercap Lake in Glacier National Park is one of the easiest ways to experience the spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife of the Many Glacier area. While the hike is extremely short compared with many of Glacier National Park's famous trails, Fishercap Lake has developed a reputation as one of the best places in the entire park to see moose. The shallow lake sits in the Swiftcurrent Valley beneath the towering mountains of Many Glacier, and its marshy shoreline