Piney Woods Trail: Hiking Through Akron's Disappearing Pine Forest

The Piney Woods Trail at Goodyear Heights Metro Park in Akron is a scenic 2-mile loop that winds through a mature hardwood forest and rolling hills near Alder Pond. Named for the evergreen plantations that once dominated the landscape, this moderately challenging trail offers a look at how forests change over time. With its connections to Akron's rubber industry, peaceful forest, and opportunities to explore nearby wetlands, the Piney Woods Trail is a quick hike in one of Summit County's oldest metro parks.

Trail Info

Length 2 miles

Elevation gain 175 feet

Route Loop

Permit required No

Dogs allowed On leash

Trailhead elevation 1,073'

Water fountain about 0.1 miles in

Don't miss a quick detour to Alder Pond

Hiking the Piney Woods Loop

The hike begins at the Pioneer Area parking lot along Frazier Avenue, where the Piney Woods Trail leads into the wooded interior of Goodyear Heights Metro Park.

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Almost immediately, hikers are surrounded by a mixture of hardwoods and evergreens, creating a forest that feels surprisingly secluded considering its location in a residential section of Akron. Unlike the relatively flat trails found in many of the area's parks, Piney Woods features a series of rolling hills and gradual elevation changes that add some variety to the hike.

Interestingly, the trail's name reflects a landscape that is slowly disappearing. During the park's early development, large numbers of pine trees were planted throughout the property, creating the evergreen stands that inspired the name Piney Woods. Over the decades, however, nearly all of these original pines have died or declined, allowing native hardwoods such as black cherry, oak, and tulip trees to gradually take their place. This natural process, known as forest succession, is especially noticeable along the trail, where remaining stands of mature evergreens contrast with younger hardwood forests.

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The history of Goodyear Heights Metro Park is closely connected to Akron's rise as the Rubber Capital of the World. Established in 1930, the park was created through land donations from the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and local real estate developer Gilbert Waltz.

At the time, Akron was experiencing tremendous industrial growth, and the creation of public parks helped preserve natural areas as surrounding neighborhoods continued to expand. The park's connection to Goodyear is particularly fitting considering that company founder F.A. Seiberling had played an instrumental role in establishing the Akron Metropolitan Park District in 1921.

As the Piney Woods Trail continues through the forest, hikers encounter a changing mixture of vegetation that reflects the property's evolving landscape. In some areas, sparse pines create a dense evergreen canopy, while elsewhere, broadleaf trees dominate the forest. Tulip trees are particularly impressive, often growing exceptionally tall with straight trunks that rise high above the surrounding woodland.

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Another interesting chapter in the park's history involves Goodyear Heights Lodge, which once served as the headquarters of the Akron Metropolitan Park District. During the park system's early decades, the lodge played an important administrative role as the district expanded its collection of protected natural areas. Historic photographs from the mid-20th century show park rangers gathered outside the building, offering a glimpse into a time when Goodyear Heights Metro Park was central to the operation of the growing park system.

Eventually, the Piney Woods Trail passes near Alder Pond, one of the park's most interesting natural features. The pond and surrounding wetlands support moisture-loving vegetation, including sphagnum moss and yellow birch trees, along with frogs, turtles, muskrats, and a variety of waterfowl. Hikers interested in exploring this area more closely can connect with the nearby Alder Pond Loop, which offers a shorter hike around the wetland and access to an observation deck. Combining the two trails is an excellent way to experience both the wooded hills and wetland environments that make Goodyear Heights Metro Park so diverse.

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Continuing along the Piney Woods Trail, hikers pass through more hardwoods before gradually making their way back toward the Pioneer Area. The rolling terrain provides a modest workout, while the changing forest scenery keeps the hike interesting throughout the year. Spring brings emerging foliage and woodland wildflowers, summer offers a lush green canopy, and winter reveals the distinctive shapes of the few pines that originally gave the trail its name.

Eventually, the trail returns to the Pioneer Area parking lot, completing the 2-mile loop. While the Piney Woods Trail doesn't feature the dramatic scenery found in some of Summit County's other parks, its unusual forest history, connections to Akron's industrial past, and proximity to Alder Pond make it an enjoyable place to explore. Perhaps its most fascinating feature is the opportunity to witness a forest slowly transforming before your eyes, as the pine plantations of yesterday gradually give way to the hardwood woodlands of tomorrow.