Short & Sweet: Hiking the Oak Hill Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Hiking the Oak Hill Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers a quiet, woodsy escape perfect for a peaceful walk or short trail run. The 1.6-mile loop winds through a mix of pine, beech, oak, and maple forest, with gently rolling terrain that’s easy to navigate but varied enough to stay interesting. The trail is generally less crowded than more popular spots in the park, making it a great option for solitude seekers. Seasonal wildflowers, songbirds, and the occasional deer add to the natural charm, while spur trails connect to the longer Plateau Trail for those looking to extend their adventure.

Trailhead elevation 901'

Water none filterable

Don't miss sunrise or sunset at Sylvan Pond

Hiking the Oak Hill Trail

It’s another humid morning in late June when I pull into the Oak Hill Trailhead, the starting point for both the Oak Hill and Plateau Trail. Just last evening, I hiked the much longer Plateau Trail, which loops around Oak Hill, so this morning I’m back for a quick run on the shorter inner loop. From the trailhead, the path immediately dips into the forest, crosses a short boardwalk, and reaches a well-marked junction: left heads toward the Plateau Trail, but I stay straight on Oak Hill.

The trail winds through a dense hardwood forest, where morning light filters through the canopy, dappling the ground with shifting patterns.

About half a mile in, the path hugs the northern edge of Sylvan Pond—one of over a hundred lakes and ponds scattered throughout Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Lily pads dot the water’s edge, and wildflowers line the shoreline. With the day already heating up, I pause for only a moment before continuing on.

Past the pond, the trail slips back into the woods, where a blanket of pine needles softens each step—a subtle but welcome change in terrain.

I pass two more clear trail junctions, both leading to the Plateau Trail and the nearby Hemlock Ravine, before crossing one of the loop’s few footbridges.

Around the 1.1-mile mark, the Oak Hill Trail intersects with the Plateau Trail once more before narrowing into a more exposed, less shaded stretch.

Soon after, the path crosses another small wooden bridge and ducks back into cooler forest cover before returning me to the trailhead.

It’s just the right distance to get the blood flowing before the workday. The Plateau Trail is still my favorite of the two by far, but on mornings like this, a quick lap around Oak Hill fits the bill. I’ll be back in the valley later this week—hopefully chasing waterfalls after the rain.