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(1) = Easy
(2) = Moderate
(3) = Strenuous
Bedford Reservation
Hemlock Loop Trail 1 mile (1)
Take I-271 to Broadway/Forbes exit. Go north on Broadway to Union Street, veer left onto Union Street. Turn left on Egbert Road then turn right on Gorge Parkway. Turn right on Dunham, go over bridge, turn right onto Button Road to Hemlock Creek Picnic Area. Start at Hemlock Creek Picnic Area then walk along scenic Tinkers Creek to enjoy views of hemlocks balancing over the rising shale cliffs that line the creek. Try to catch a glimpse of the resident great blue heron fishing in the waters.
Big Creek Reservation
Beyer’s Pond Loop Trail .7 miles (1)
Take I-71 to Rt. 42 (Pearl Rd.), turn right on Whitney, turn right on Big Creek Parkway., then left on Main Street. This easy level, woodchip trail circles Beyer’s Pond which attracts abundant wildlife such as ducks, geese, frogs and dragonflies. Easy place to take side trips and add steps to your walk.
Brecksville Reservation
Deer Lick Loop Trail 4 miles (3)
Take I-77 to Rt. 82 east. Turn right on Chippewa Creek Dr. Start at Brecksville Nature Center. The unusual sandstone rock formation of Deer Lick cave make this long rugged hike worth the trip.
Brookside Reservation
All Purpose Trail 2.5 miles (2)
Take I-480 to Ridge Road. Go north on Ridge Road to John Nagy Blvd. then straight to the Event Site shelterhouse. Cross the bridge that leads to a large parking lot. Go up steps on left and follow sidewalk. Walk down wooden ramp, cross over bridge. Turn right and follow the all purpose trail west along John Nagy Blvd. At bend in trail turn left and go up the hill. A wetlands area will be on your right. Go left at “Y” past the playground. Keep to the left. At next “Y” go right. At “T” turn right. Keep right, pass the playground again and go over the bridge. Take the steps down to the ball fields to shelterhouse.
Garfield Park Reservation
Mill Creek Falls Trail 2.5 (1)
Take I-480 to Broadway. Turn right. Turn left on Garfield Park Blvd. Follow the paved all purpose trail from Windy Ridge Picnic Area north to the awesome 48-foot Mill Creek Falls. Take same trail for return trip.
Hinckley Reservation
Hinckley Lake Loop Trail 3.4 miles (2)
Take I-71 to Rt. 303. Go east on Rt. 303 to Rt. 606 (Hinckley Hills Rd.) and turn right on Rt. 606 to Bellus Rd. Turn left at Bellus Rd. then turn right on West Drive. Start at Hinckley Lake Boathouse off West Drive. This trail provides many opportunities for viewing wading birds and waterfowl as it winds around Hinckley Lake.
Huntington Reservation
Hemlock Trail .8 miles (1)
Take I-90 to Crocker-Bassett exit. Go north on Crocker Road to Lake Road. Turn right on Lake Road. Turn right on Porter Creek Drive, then left at “Y”. Start at Wolf Picnic Area.
Mill Stream Run Reservation
South Quarry Loop Trail 1.1 miles (1)
Take I-71 to Bagley Road. Go west on Bagley to Valley Parkway. Turn left on Valley Parkway. Start at the South Quarry trailhead. This flat trail winds along the floodplain of Rocky River’s East Branch and past remnants of an interurban streetcar line.
North Chagrin Reservation
White Pine Loop Trail 1 mile (1)
Take I-90 to Rt. 91 (SOM Center Rd). Turn left on Rt. 91. Turn left on Strawberry Lane. Start at Strawberry Picnic Area on left. This trail passes through the only remaining stand of virgin white pine trees in the reservation and is a remarkable example of an ancient remnant forest. A boardwalk gives visitors access to this special area without damaging the tree’s fragile root systems.
Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation
West Canal Gateway APT 2 miles (2)
Take I-77 toRockside Road. Go east to Canal Road. Turn left on Canal Road. Start at the West Canal Gateway parking lot. Watch for peregrine flacons that fly and nest under the I-480 bridge. Head north on the all purpose trail (APT) and walk over the two pedestrian bridges past the Aqueduct Wayside. At the bridge over the canal, cross Canal Road and follow the APT into Bacci Park and explore the beginnings of the Mill Creek connector trail. Retrace your steps back to the parking lot. There are two steep inclines.
Rocky River Reservation
Fort Hill Trail 1.3 miles (3)
Take I-480 to Clague Road exit. Go south on Clague Rd. Turn right on Mastick Road then left on Shepard Lane. Turn right into Rocky River Nature Center parking lot. Walk past Rocky River Nature center and look for signs to Fort Hill Trail. Climb to the top of Fort Hill, which earned its name from its ancient earthworks. Views of the Rocky River, 100 feet below, are wonderful all year.
Cottonwood Loop Trail .8 miles (1)
Take I-480 to Grayton exit. Go north on Grayton, then left on Puritas Avenue to bottom of hill. Turn left on Valley Parkway to Cottonwood Picnic Area parking lot on left. This level trail meanders through a flood plain forest. The former Trailside Museum, built in 1936, was located near here.
South Chagrin Reservation
Squaw Rock Loop .6 miles (3)
Take 422 east. Go north at SOM Center Road exit, then turn right on Hawthorne Parkway. Start at Squaw Rock Picnic Area parking lot. The trail starts in the southeast corner of the parking lot. This difficult trail has beautiful views of the Chagrin River and the rock carvings by Henry Church.
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