Twin Sister Falls: One of Cuyahoga Valley National Park's Hidden Waterfalls

Hiking to Twin Sister Falls is one of the best ways to discover a hidden waterfall in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. While many visitors flock to popular destinations like Brandywine Falls and Blue Hen Falls, Twin Sister Falls offers a more secluded experience surrounded by towering hardwood forests, moss-covered stone, and the peaceful sounds of the park's winding streams. Although the waterfall is seasonal and flows most impressively after periods of heavy rain or spring snowmelt, the hike is rewarding throughout the year thanks to its scenic woodland setting and lack of crowds. Whether you're searching for the best waterfall hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, hidden hikes in Northeast Ohio, or a unique trail that showcases a different side of CVNP, hiking to Twin Sister Falls is a memorable adventure that deserves a spot on every hiker's itinerary.

Trailhead elevation 630'

Water water spigot at Brecksville Station

Don't miss checking to see if the canal is shallow enough to cross before bushwhacking to the falls

Hiking to Twin Sister Falls

The hike to Twin Sister Falls begins at the Station Road Bridge Trailhead, located near the northern end of the park. A large parking area makes this one of the easiest trailheads to access. From the parking lot, hikers cross Station Road Bridge, which spans the Cuyahoga River at Pinery Narrows, the narrowest section of the Cuyahoga River Gorge within Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Across the bridge, the route joins the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and heads north where hikers pass beneath the Brecksville-Northfield Bridge.

A short distance later, a large bench appears on the right beside a steel footbridge crossing the Ohio & Erie Canal. This marks the point where hikers have two options for reaching Twin Sister Falls. The first option is to leave the Towpath and bushwhack through the woods along the east side of the canal. While this route avoids crossing the creek later, thick vegetation can make it slow and difficult during the growing season, not to mention very slippery. The second option, and generally the better choice from summer through winter, is to remain on the Towpath Trail.

Continuing north along the Towpath Trail for roughly a quarter mile brings hikers to Mudcatcher Falls, a small man-made waterfall marked by a National Park Service sign that's difficult to miss. Here, when the water levels are low, hikers can rock hop across the canal before passing Mudcatcher Falls and beginning the upstream trek toward Twin Sister Falls.

From this point forward, the route becomes more of a creek walk than a traditional trail. A faint user-created path appears in places, but much of the hike follows the stream itself. Waterproof shoes are highly recommended, especially after recent rain.

The creek winds through a beautiful, secluded ravine lined with towering trees, moss-covered rocks, and numerous fallen logs that add both character and a few minor obstacles along the way. Even after heavy rainfall, the creek is generally only several inches deep, with most deeper pools easily bypassed.

About half a mile into the creek section, hikers reach a small cascade spilling over layered shale on the left side of the ravine. The easiest route is to stay to the right, using a large fallen tree for balance while crossing one of the slickest sections of the hike. Although the footing can be surprisingly slippery, most hikers should have little trouble navigating it.

Just beyond a bend, Twin Sister Falls comes into view. Standing approximately 65 feet tall, the waterfall cascades in two distinct streams over a broad shale ledge, creating one of the most unique waterfalls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. At roughly five feet taller than nearby Brandywine Falls, Twin Sister Falls ranks among the tallest waterfalls in the park. While it lacks the developed overlooks and easy access of Brandywine, its remote setting means hikers often have the falls entirely to themselves, even on busy weekends. To see the falls at its best, plan your visit within hours of a heavy rain. At other times, the waterfall typically dwindles to a small trickle.

During the winter months, Twin Sister Falls becomes even more spectacular as ice formations transform the twin cascades into towering frozen columns. Combined with the almost complete absence of crowds, it's one of the best winter hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. After enjoying the falls, simply retrace your route down the creek and return via the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail to the Station Road Bridge Trailhead.