From Woods to Meadows: Hiking Cuyahoga Valley's Cross Country Trail

The Cross Country Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers a refreshing mix of open meadows and wooded paths, making it one of the more varied hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Stretching about 3.5 miles, the trail winds through rolling terrain that was originally designed for cross country skiers, giving it a spacious, open feel in sections. You'll pass through tall grasses, stands of pine, and leafy groves, with wide views and a sense of quiet solitude.

Trailhead elevation 910'

Water none filterable

Don't miss hiking through Kendall Hills at the end of the loop

Hiking the Cross Country Trail

There are several access points for hiking the Cross Country Trail, but my favorite by far is the Pine Hollow Trailhead off Quick Road. The views at the start and finish—especially in the early morning or at sunset—are fantastic. It’s also the trailhead for the beautiful Salt Run Trail, one of my favorite hikes in the park. Today, though, I’m here for a mid-afternoon loop—just a quick escape to stretch my legs and break up a chaotic workday.

I start the loop counterclockwise, walking along a grassy strip beside the large Pine Hollow parking area. Beyond that, the trail winds through another open stretch, flanked by woods on both sides, passing the Crow Foot Gully and Little Meadow parking lots.

Just past Little Meadow, the trail moves north through a small open meadow dotted with wildflowers and lush greenery. The scent of summer hangs in the air.

Soon after, I enter the forest, where a dense canopy of hardwoods and pine trees surrounds me. I cross a small wooden footbridge over a nearly dry creek and climb a short hill.

At the top, the trail bends right and enters a long grassy corridor—reminiscent of the tree-lined tunnels found along the Tree Farm Trail. Near the 1-mile mark, I’m back in the shade of mature hardwoods, passing some of the largest trees I’ve seen in the park.

The trail narrows through a denser section where NPS crews are out doing trail work, then opens into another meadow bright with wildflowers. Around 2.1 miles in, I reenter the woods, surrounded by a thick canopy and shaded ravines running alongside the trail.

At the 3-mile mark, I reach the Kendall Lake Trail and turn right. Not long after, I pass through a stone tunnel built in 1939 to keep hikers safe from a now-defunct toboggan run. The trail gently slopes downhill along the old run’s path before passing a marshy area alive with bullfrogs and a pair of ducks foraging in the shallows.

Just before Kendall Lake comes into view, the trail begins to rise at the foot of Kendall Hills. Rather than follow the official loop, I take the more scenic way back—up and over the hills toward Pine Hollow. I choose the middle of the three grassy paths and make the first ascent.

From the top, I can see the rest of the ridge ahead. I remember my nephew running a cross-country race here a few years ago and can’t help but think, “What a brutal way to end a race—having to run up these damn hills.” I descend steeply, then ascend the second, longer hill, which leads me back to the Pine Hollow Trailhead.

I grab my lunch from the car and find a quiet spot overlooking the wide, grassy hills to eat before heading back to the real world. It’s a gorgeous day, with temperatures in the low 70s—a refreshing break after a stretch of sweltering days in the upper 90s.

Another visit to the park comes to a close, but I'll be back in the next few days. The Wetmore Trail has been calling my name for some time.