The Quiet Side of Cuyahoga Valley: Hiking the Riding Run Trail

Hiking the Riding Run Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers a quiet stroll through rolling hills, winding ravines, and patches of mixed hardwood forest. While the trail lacks scenic views, its varied terrain and solitude make it a solid option for those looking to escape the crowds and enjoy a more peaceful side of the park. With few hikers and fewer distractions, it’s an ideal outing for anyone craving quiet miles in Ohio’s only national park.

Trailhead elevation 748'

Water none

Don't miss early summer when wildflowers are in bloom

Hiking the Riding Run Trail

It’s another sweltering July morning when I arrive at the Everett Covered Bridge Trailhead. At 7:45 AM, the lot holds only a handful of vehicles—understandable, given that it’s already 92 degrees. I’m here for the Riding Run Trail, a hike I haven’t done in 15 years and don’t remember particularly fondly. Still, it feels worth revisiting. From the trailhead—also the starting point for the Perkins Trail—I follow the crushed gravel path for about a hundred yards to the Everett Covered Bridge.

Beyond the bridge, the trail hugs Old Everett Road to the left and parallels Furnace Run to the right. The old, broken asphalt has mostly been overtaken by nature, now blending into the landscape.

About half a mile in, the trail veers right and continues along a rougher stretch of the road, where large chunks of pavement still remain. It keeps me out of the forest mood a bit, but shafts of sunlight filtering through the pines along the creek help redeem the moment.

At the 0.8-mile mark, the trail turns left into the woods. A well-marked junction signals the start of the loop portion, where I choose to go right and hike it counterclockwise. A steady climb begins, winding through a mix of hardwoods and pine, the sun breaking through the canopy in golden slants.

After about half a mile, the incline levels off and the trail enters a tall, fragrant stand of pines. It then shifts back to hardwood forest. There are no sweeping views here, but the solitude is undeniable—and appreciated.

Around mile 2.2, the trail bends left and begins a long, gentle descent. Moss-covered logs line the path, and I catch the faint sound of Riding Run bubbling somewhere off to the east.

This section brings variety: two small wooden footbridges over dry creek beds, massive oaks with crooked limbs, and a junction with the connector trail to the Perkins Trail. From past visits, I know there’s an old abandoned cabin tucked away to the east along Riding Run, but I don’t have time to track it down today.

Near the 3.2-mile mark, the loop closes, and I retrace my steps along Old Everett Road, back across the bridge, and return to the trailhead.

There were no dramatic views on the Riding Run Trail, but I still enjoyed the quiet and the time alone in the woods. It’s not the most scenic option in the park, but for those looking to escape the crowds and stretch their legs, it serves its purpose. Linking it with the Perkins Trail would make for a more varied and satisfying loop—something I’ll likely come back for.