Twisting through the wooded hills of Sand Run Metro Park, the Dogwood Trail offers one of the most scenic hikes in Akron. This peaceful loop winds through mature hardwood forest and climbs and descends the rolling terrain that makes this corner of Summit Metro Parks feel surprisingly wild despite being just minutes from the city. With beautiful forest scenery, plenty of wildlife, and enough elevation change to keep things interesting, hiking the Dogwood Trail is a great choic

If you're searching for the best sunrise hike in Akron, look no further than the Oxbow Trail in Cascade Valley Metro Park. Tucked within the northern section of Cascade Valley Metro Park and just minutes from downtown Akron and Cuyahoga Falls, the scenic trail offers peaceful riverside views, abundant wildlife, and one of the most spectacular places to watch the sun rise over the Cuyahoga River. Whether you're looking for an easy morning walk, a scenic nature trail near Akron

The Prather & Missing Link Loops in Cascade Valley Metro Park offer one of the best easy hikes in Akron, combining scenic woodlands, rolling hills, and sweeping views of the Cuyahoga River Valley. Located within the Summit Metro Parks system, the figure-8 loop is perfect for hikers of all skill levels looking to escape into nature without leaving the city. Along the way, visitors can enjoy peaceful forest trails, seasonal wildflowers, abundant wildlife, and a few scenic overl

While Cuyahoga Valley National Park is best known for its scenic hiking trails, there are countless other ways to experience the most visited national park in the Midwest. Whether you're traveling with young children, planning a relaxing weekend getaway, or simply looking for things to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park besides hiking, the park offers something for every age and athleticism level. Visitors can bike the historic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, go birding at

Located within West Creek Reservation in Parma, Ohio—Cleveland's largest suburb—the Skyline Overlook Trail is a short, family-friendly hike that leads to one of the best views of the Cleveland skyline. Winding through a peaceful hardwood forest, the trail ends at a scenic overlook where downtown Cleveland rises above the treetops, creating a striking contrast between the city's iconic skyline and the surrounding natural landscape. Whether you're looking for an easy hike near

Those searching for the best waterfall hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park will find everything from iconic cascades to secluded waterfalls hidden deep within the park's forests. Famous destinations like Brandywine Falls and Blue Hen Falls rank among the most popular hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, attracting visitors with their impressive scenery and well-maintained trails. But beyond the well-known landmarks, adventurous hikers can discover hidden gems like Racco

Hidden within Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Crazy Man's Hollow Falls is one of the park's best-kept secrets, known mostly to locals willing to venture off the beaten path. Like Twin Sister Falls, the seasonal waterfall flows best after heavy rain or snowmelt, rewarding adventurous hikers with an off the beaten path cascade far removed from the busy park crowds. Trailhead elevation 623' Water seasonal from Chaffee Run Don't miss a winter visit when the falls freeze over Hikin

Whether you're chasing the first golden light of day or watching the sun disappear beyond the treetops, Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers some of the most rewarding sunrise and sunset hikes in Ohio. From peaceful forest trails and scenic overlooks to quiet meadows and sandstone cliffs, the park transforms during the golden hour, revealing a side of CVNP that many visitors never experience. Here, you'll discover the best sunrise hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, inclu

Hiking to Twin Sister Falls is one of the best ways to discover a hidden waterfall in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. While many visitors flock to popular destinations like Brandywine Falls and Blue Hen Falls, Twin Sister Falls offers a more secluded experience surrounded by towering hardwood forests, moss-covered stone, and the peaceful sounds of the park's winding streams. Although the waterfall is seasonal and flows most impressively after periods of heavy rain or spring sn

Hiking the Chapin Forest Trail in Chapin Forest Reservation offers one of the most underrated outdoor adventures in Northeast Ohio. Known for its peaceful woodlands, towering forests, and a particularly breathtaking overlook, the Chapin Forest Trail feels worlds away from the busy suburbs surrounding Cleveland. Whether you’re searching for one of the best hikes near Cleveland, a quiet nature escape in Lake County, or a trail filled with beautiful scenery year-round, hiking Ch

Tucked away in the rolling woodlands of Kirtland, Ohio, hiking Penitentiary Glen Reservation offers one of the most underrated outdoor experiences in Northeast Ohio. Known for its scenic ravines, open meadows, and fascinating historic ruins, Penitentiary Glen Reservation feels worlds away from the region’s busier parks. Those searching for one of the best hikes in the Cleveland area, a peaceful escape into nature, or a family-friendly trail with a sense of discovery, the hidd

Tucked within Hampton Hills Metro Park in Summit County, Ohio, the Adam Run Loop Trail offers hikers a peaceful escape through quiet woodlands, rolling terrain, and scenic views along the banks of Adam Run Creek. The moderately easy loop winds through a mix of mature forest, ravines, and shaded pathways, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a quiet hike near Akron, a family-friendly trail in Northeast Ohio, or a less crowded alternative to some of the area’s more p

Winters in Northeast Ohio can be brutally cold, but those frigid temperatures unlock a completely different side of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. When the thermometer drops below freezing, the park transforms into a true winter wonderland, offering hikers the chance to experience CVNP winter hiking at its best. Frozen waterfalls, icy creeks, and snow-covered trails reveal scenic features that are often hidden or difficult to access during the warmer months. As a local who ha

Brandywine Falls is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and in winter it becomes an especially striking destination for hikers and photographers. As temperatures drop, the 65-foot waterfall often partially freezes, creating dramatic ice formations and icicles that cling to the sandstone cliffs of the Brandywine Gorge. Snow-dusted boardwalks and overlook platforms offer beautiful, safe views of Brandywine Falls in winter, making it one of the be

The Ledges Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is especially stunning in winter, when snow settles into the cracks and crevices of its massive sandstone cliffs. Icicles often hang from the Sharon Conglomerate ledges, giving the trail a quiet, almost frozen-in-time feel. With fewer hikers on the path, winter brings a peaceful solitude that highlights the natural beauty of the forest and rock formations. The trail winds through narrow passages and overlooks that offer scenic

In winter, Blue Hen Falls and Buttermilk Falls offer two of the most rewarding cold-weather hiking destinations in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Reached via the Buckeye Trail, Blue Hen Falls transforms into a striking scene of ice formations, frozen cascades, and snow-dusted sandstone cliffs, making it one of the most photographed CVNP winter waterfalls. Adventurous hikers can continue beyond Blue Hen Falls and carefully navigate off-trail to Buttermilk Falls, a more seclude

The Tree Farm Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of the best winter hiking options in Northeast Ohio, offering a peaceful and scenic experience when snow blankets the valley. In winter, the mostly flat trail becomes a quiet corridor of snow-covered fields and features an amazing stretch of pine trees that feels especially serene in the colder months. With fewer crowds and easy footing on packed snow, winter hiking on the Tree Farm Trail is ideal for all skill level

Hiking to Raccoon Falls and Romane Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a great way to spend a few hours exploring some of the park’s lesser-known waterfalls. The mostly off-trail hike in CVNP requires crossing the Ohio & Erie Canal, along with climbing over and ducking under scores of fallen trees, making it best suited for hikers who enjoy off-the-beaten-path adventures. For those willing to leave the main trails behind, the reward is a quiet, scenic hike and the chanc

Hiking to Crazy Man’s Hollow Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a short but memorable off-trail adventure that feels far removed from the busy Towpath just minutes away. After leaving the trail near a small footbridge over Chaffee Run, the hike follows the stream upstream into a narrowing ravine, where fallen trees, rock shelves, and twisting bends keep things interesting without ever feeling difficult. The ravine is lined with mature hemlocks that add color and charac

Hiking out to Contour Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park feels like discovering a secret the park never quite advertises. Tucked deep within a steep ravine, the falls are framed by towering hemlocks and rugged rock walls, a world away from the crowds that define other parts of CVNP. The hike itself isn’t difficult, but in the warmer months, staying dry is nearly impossible. That’s exactly why Contour Falls shines in winter, when frozen ground and icy conditions turn the a