Frozen Twin Sisters Falls: A Sub-Zero Hike in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Hiking to Twin Sisters Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park feels a bit like discovering a hidden corner of the park that most visitors never see. For much of the year, the falls rarely flow at all, only coming to life after sustained rainfall, which can make them underwhelming in warmer seasons. Winter, however, is when Twin Sisters truly shines. As temperatures drop, the narrow ravine transforms into a frozen corridor of ice, with the twin cascades locking into place and creating a striking scene. The route to the falls is not an official or marked trail, but it’s fairly easy to reach, adding just enough sense of adventure without feeling overly risky. When frozen solid, Twin Sisters Falls becomes one of the most rewarding—and quietly beautiful—winter hikes in Cuyahoga Valley.

Trailhead elevation 630'

Water sources water spigot at Brecksville Station

Don't miss hiking after several days of below freezing temperatures

Hiking to Twin Sister Falls

With the temperature well below zero, Heather and I pull into the Station Road Bridge Trailhead in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, pull our hats low, tug on gloves, and get moving. Just north of the lot, Brecksville Station, one of the many stops along the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, sits frozen and empty. We pass it, cross the Station Road Bridge over a Cuyahoga River that hasn’t quite locked into ice just yet, and turn head north on the Towpath Trail.

The bridge, a relic of the late 19th century, links Cuyahoga County to Summit County at the Pinery Narrows—the narrowest section of the Cuyahoga River gorge in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Here, the river pinches tightly between steep, forested hillsides, carving a deep corridor through the valley. The area takes its name from the pine trees that once clung to the high bedrock above the river, lending the Narrows its distinctive character.

About 0.4 miles into our hike, we reach a small footbridge over the Ohio & Erie Canal and a lone bench on the right side of the trail. This is our cue to leave the Towpath.

Between the bench and footbridge, we push through a short stretch of thorny pricker bushes, hop a narrow, frozen stream, and pick up a barely-there path heading north. Having hiked to Twin Sisters Falls several times in spring and summer, I know this brush can be miserable when it’s green and overgrown, but winter strips it down and makes the off-trail section far more manageable.

The narrow trail gently rises and falls alongside the east side of the canal, demanding careful foot placement—one misstep to the left could send us sliding into the frozen canal. This section is notoriously tricky in warmer months, especially after rain. Since Twin Sisters Falls only flows after heavy, sustained rainfall, the muddy footing here can make the approach frustrating when the ground isn’t frozen solid or bone dry. Today, winter gives us an advantage.

At about 0.6 miles in, we reach the confluence of Gaulley Run—an intermittent stream—and the canal. Off to the right, Mudcatcher Falls, a small man-made cascade, is frozen solid. Built in the 19th century, the “mudcatcher” was designed to trap soil and debris before runoff could muddy the canal, helping keep water levels stable and clear. Today, this usually quiet spillway serves as an important landmark—and the cue to turn toward Twin Sisters Falls.

On the far side of Gaulley Run, the route turns east and into the ravine. It starts wide, with frozen stream crossings and a maze of downed trees to climb over, duck under, and work around. In warmer seasons, especially after rain, keeping your feet dry here is nearly impossible. In winter, the ice works in our favor.

Snow-covered slopes and dark green hemlocks bring life and contrast to an otherwise stark hardwood forest, making this one of the more scenic winter ravines in the park.

A few times the ice gives way beneath our weight, but our feet stay dry. I jokingly set the over/under on how many times I’ll slip and fall at two and a half—Heather wisely takes the over. Just before the falls, we reach a short but steep slope, maybe six feet high. In summer it’s nothing. In winter, it’s a frozen slide. A few perfectly placed fallen trees offer just enough grip to get us through.

About one mile into the hike, we arrive at Twin Sisters Falls, exactly as hoped: completely frozen. At roughly 65 feet tall, it’s one of the tallest waterfalls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, even edging out Brandywine Falls. We chat briefly with a handful of other hikers who also braved the sub-zero temperatures, and one kindly snaps a photo of Heather and me to mark the moment.

We stick around for a few minutes, taking photos and soaking in the frozen scene. It’s quiet, dramatic, and fleeting—one of those rare winter moments few people ever witness here. Eventually, the cold nudges us back into motion. We retrace our steps to Mudcatcher Falls, then change things up—crossing the frozen canal and following the Towpath Trail back to the parking area. Heather loses the over/under. Somehow, and very uncharacteristically, I make it back without a slip or fall. A win is a win.

The takeaway is simple: Twin Sisters Falls is a fickle waterfall during warmer months, rarely flowing enough to justify the effort. Even when it does, the muddy footing and narrow approach can make the hike frustrating. But in winter, when temperatures stay below freezing long enough for the ravine and waterfall to lock into ice, the hike becomes easier—and far more rewarding. We’ll be back again, maybe next time chasing sunrise at one of the most underrated winter waterfalls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. But for now, it's heater at full blast and a quick bite to eat before heading over to the Plateau Trail for more miles.