From Creek to Rim: Hiking the Tinker's Creek Gorge Trail

Hiking the Tinkers Creek Gorge Trail in Bedford Reservation offers a scenic journey through one of Northeast Ohio’s most beautiful landscapes. The trail winds through a lush forest of hemlocks and hardwoods, gradually revealing glimpses of the deep, rugged gorge carved by Tinkers Creek, the largest tributary of the Cuyahoga River. While the route features rolling terrain, stream crossings, and peaceful stretches of solitude, the undisputed highlight is Bridal Veil Falls. The elegant, 20-foot cascade tumbles over layered shale in delicate, veil-like ribbons, especially striking after a recent rain. Tucked into a serene corner of the gorge, the falls are both beautiful and surprisingly accessible, making them the crown jewel of the hike and a must-see for anyone exploring the reservation.

Trailhead elevation 935'

Water at Bridal Veil Falls

Don't miss exploring the falls upstream from Bridal Veil

Hiking Tinkers Creek Gorge Trail

I arrive at the Egbert Picnic Area on a mild mid-June morning and spot the trailhead tucked on the far edge of a broad, grassy field beside the lot.

Crossing the field, I pick up the blue-blazed trail as it winds into a dense forest, running loosely parallel to the paved All-Purpose Trail. Within the first mile, two small stream crossings call for a bit of easy rock-hopping—likely only active after a good rain. The gentle rolling terrain is lined with a mix of stately hardwoods and hemlocks, and the well-marked path is easy to follow.

Around the one-mile mark, the trail nears the rim of the gorge, and the muffled rush of Tinkers Creek begins to filter through the trees. Every few hundred feet offers a fleeting glimpse of small cascades tumbling through the forest below, though none offer a clear view—so I keep moving. At about 1.3 miles, just beyond a hairpin turn, I catch sight of the first modest waterfall: a 15-foot drop at the bottom of the gorge, about 80 feet below. With no safe route down, I admire it from above and continue on.

At 1.7 miles, I reach the bottom of a wooden staircase beside a narrow, 150-foot spur trail that leads to another modest cascade along the creek.

After checking it out, I return to the stairs, cross a small wooden footbridge over the creek, and arrive at the top of Bridal Veil Falls. I pause here to take a few photos of the stream and the falls’ upper edge before continuing on.

Just 150 feet farther, I reach the Bridal Veil Falls Overlook—a wooden platform clinging to the edge of the gorge. From here, I get my first full view of the falls. At only 20 feet tall, it's far from the highest in Northeast Ohio, but it’s easily one of the most beautiful I’ve seen. The water flows gracefully over a layered shale ledge, and after a recent rain, it’s putting on quite a show.

I linger here for a while taking in the scenery. Downstream, the gorge stretches out beneath a canopy of mature hemlocks and towering hardwoods. It’s no Grand Canyon, but for Ohio, it’s as beautiful as they come.

Eventually, I continue along the trail through more rolling forest. Nearing the 2.8-mile mark, the woods thin, and the path briefly follows the Gorge Parkway before arriving at the Tinkers Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook.

The wooden platform sits at the edge of the rim, offering distant views of the creek below—a dramatic and fitting turnaround point.

A placard beside the overlook catches my eye—it explains the origin of the creek’s name, which, as a bit of a history nerd, I find fascinating. Despite all my visits to the park, I never knew Tinkers Creek was named after Joseph Tinker, a member of General Moses Cleaveland’s survey team tasked with mapping and settling the Connecticut Western Reserve in the late 1700s. Another nearby sign notes that Tinkers Creek Gorge was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1967, another bit of information that has eluded me over the years.

I soak in the view from the platform for a good twenty minutes before retracing my steps through the woods and back to the trailhead. Another visit to Bedford Reservation is in the books, but I know that I'll be back. It's far too beautiful not to enjoy it every now and then.