Boston Run Trail: A Peaceful Forest Escape in Cuyahoga Valley National park

Tucked near the easternmost boundary of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Boston Run Trail is a quiet, lesser-traveled loop just minutes from downtown Peninsula and the park’s Boston Mill Visitor Center. Winding through dense forest and along the gentle flow of Boston Run, the peaceful 3-mile hike offers a welcome escape from the busier nearby trails, perfect for those looking to enjoy a serene walk in nature with plenty of solitude.

Trailhead elevation 932'

Water throughout from Boston Run

Don't miss exploring downtown Peninsula after

Hiking Boston Run

Hendrix, my one-year-old pooch, and I pull into the Boston Run Trailhead just before 9:00 AM, ready to tackle one of his favorite hikes. It’s early October, and the park’s largest parking lot sits completely empty—exactly how Hendrix likes it. Like me, he prefers our walks quiet and undisturbed, just the two of us—or three, when Heather joins.

Tail wagging furiously, he’s eager to hit the trail. The first few hundred yards of dirt and gravel trace the edge of the forest to our left, with the steady hum of Route 303 buzzing on our right.

Before long, the trail forks. The path left leads clockwise, but Hendrix tugs me to the right—his way of saying we’ll hike it counterclockwise, saving the short, steep climb for the end.

Not far ahead, we cross Boston Run for the first time. The stream is down to a trickle this time of year, so we waste no time exploring it and continue beneath the road overhead.

The sound of traffic sticks around for a bit, but by the half-mile mark it begins to fade. Three-quarters of a mile in, near a small stand of pines that have carpeted the trail in soft needles, the woods finally close in—and the world goes quiet. We cross Boston Run several more times, once by footbridge and the others over dirt-covered flumes.

Around 1.6 miles, the trail splits again—left for a shortcut that trims off about three-quarters of a mile, or right to complete the full loop. We take the long way, of course.

By the time we reach 2.3 miles, we’ve wrapped around the northern end of the loop and start heading south toward the trailhead. There are no sweeping overlooks or grand views here—just a fast, steady walk through the forest with my boy trotting happily ahead.

At 3.3 miles, we cross the stream one final time over another small wooden footbridge. The bank just below makes for a perfect stop, so I take off Hendrix’s leash and let him explore. He never strays more than a few feet.

Beyond the bridge, the trail climbs one last short, steep slope—the only real elevation change of the hike—before leveling out and winding a few hundred yards back to the trailhead.

It’s a simple walk, but one that always feels good. No big views, no crowds—just quiet woods and a dog who loves every minute of it. Boston Run may not have the drama of The Ledges, Salt Run, or Blue Hen & Buttermilk Falls, but that’s part of its charm. It’s our trail, and I know we’ll be back again soon. The fall colors are just about a few weeks away, and soon Cuyahoga Valley National Park will be glowing in all her autumn glory.