Hiking the Plateau Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers a peaceful, wooded escape with a bit of everything—rolling terrain, dense forest, and glimpses of the park’s diverse ecology. The 5-plus mile loop winds through quiet beech, oak, and maple groves, with stretches of hemlock providing shade and a sense of solitude. Occasional boardwalks and footbridges cross over muddy patches and small streams, while gentle inclines keep the hike engaging without being too strenu

Hiking the Squire’s Castle Loop in North Chagrin Reservation is like stepping into a woodland fairy tale with a touch of history—while...

Hiking the Tinkers Creek Gorge Trail in Bedford Reservation offers a scenic journey through one of Northeast Ohio’s most beautiful...

The roughly 4-mile loop winds through wooded hills, meadows, and shaded ravines, with about 500 feet of elevation gain spread across gentle terrain and a few short, steep climbs. The trail is well-marked and includes several stream crossings over charming wooden footbridges, which add variety and interest to the hike. A key highlight is the namesake Deer Lick Cave—a shallow sandstone overhang that’s especially striking after rainfall when water trickles down the rock face. Th

Tucked away in Peninsula, Ohio, Deep Lock Quarry Metro Park offers more than a quiet, shaded hike through the woods. It’s a journey into...

The centerpiece of northeast Ohio's Rocky River Reservation, the Fort Hill Earthworks Trail offers hikers beautiful views, challenging climbs, and a look at prehistoric Native American earthworks, believed to be remnants of an ancient hilltop fort. Locals and visitors in Cleveland looking to enjoy the outdoors should strongly consider a visit. Trailhead elevation 660' Water available from the Nature Center at the trailhead Don't miss doing laps on the staircase and taking the

Formed by Brandywine Creek, a significant tributary of the Cuyahoga River, the 60-foot Brandywine Falls is the tallest waterfall in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Visitors can easily reach the falls via a short boardwalk from the parking area. However, those looking to explore more of the park, a leisurely day hike can be started from Stanford House, a historic homestead in Peninsula, offering a chance to experience one of the park's most popular trails. Trailhead elevation 6

Located amid the scenic landscapes of Chillicothe, Ohio, the ancient Junction and Steel Earthworks continue to fascinate the minds of...

For thousands of years, Native Americans stamped their legacies on the landscapes of Ohio, constructing tens of thousands of earthen mounds and expansive earthworks. Between 100 BC and 500 AD, the Hopewell, renowned as the world's greatest mound builders, inhabited much of Ohio, including Cuyahoga Valley, engaging in deer and other game hunting, fishing, and the cultivation of sunflower, squash, and various other plants. Residing mainly in small villages along waterways, the

Nestled in the heart of Ohio, the Miamisburg Mound stands as a testament to the remarkable engineering and cultural achievements of...

Nestled within the serene landscapes of Newark and Heath, Ohio, lies a living testament to the ancient marvels of North America - a...

Perched atop a modest hilltop in an upscale Columbus suburb overlooking Racoon Creek Valley 150-feet below, rests a more than millennium...

More than two millennia ago, long before the first Europeans ever set foot on the continent, Native Americans built thousands of...

Located just beyond the outskirts of the village of Leo, the Leo Petroglyphs & Nature Preserve stands as a testament to the ancient...

Arguably the most scenic hiking trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Ledges Trail offers a glimpse into the natural beauty and geological wonders of the region. The hike is highlighted by the Ritchie Ledges, a series of sandstone cliffs that rise dramatically from the forest floor, reaching heights up to thirty feet in height. The towering rock formations are the result of millions of years of geological processes, including erosion and weathering, creating a visually

Experience the remnants of the early 19th-century Ohio & Erie Canal as you embark on a captivating journey along the historic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. The scenic trail winds over 85 miles, meandering through picturesque landscapes, beside old ruins, and through historic towns and rural villages. The trail's development began in the 1990s, starting with a 20-mile segment within the renowned Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Today, it stretches south from Bolivar to Clevel

Located in southeast Ohio's sprawling Wayne National Forest, Archers Fork Loop Trail winds and weaves through the state's hill country,...

You won't find it on any official park map and ask nine out of ten Cuyahoga Valley National Park visitors about it and you'll likely get a blank stare or shoulder shrug. However, tucked away deep in the park's forest lies its most scenic yet least visited waterfall, Buttermilk Falls. Located a half mile downstream from the very popular Blue Hen Falls, Buttermilk Falls offers something that no other waterfall in the park can...solitude. Reaching the thirty-five foot falls is v

In 1885, Henry Church, Jr., apparently had a story to tell. So, the local blacksmith and self-proclaimed spiritualist spent his evenings...

In northeast Ohio's Hinckley Reservation, the Worden's Ledges Loop Trail meanders beneath a dense canopy of oaks and elms, revealing a...