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Trail Challenge presented by Cigna

2020 Trail Challenge Hikes

Download the 2020 Trail Challenge Hikes

Acacia Reservation

Paved (1.85 miles) – Clubhouse - Paved - Start at the Acacia Reservation parking lot off Cedar Road. Walk, hike, bike, or handcycle the paved loop making sure to stay right at each turn. Enjoy the old golf cart paths as you imagine what this multi-year natural restoration project will look like in 100 years.

Bedford Reservation

Paved (0.5 miles) – Viaduct Park – Paved, Start at Viaduct Park at the corner of Taylor Road and Willis Street. Take the paved path down to see the 15’ tall falls and the old stone Viaducts. While this hike is short, you don’t want to miss the waterfall!
Natural Surface (1.8 miles) – Forbes Woods, Start at the Forbes Woods Picnic Area and enjoy this wooded oasis that was once a dairy farm. Anticipate several boardwalks as you hike through the ravine crossing over many wetlands.

Big Creek Reservation

Paved (4.8 miles) Lake to Lake Trail, Start at either Lake Isaac or the Eastland Rd. Trailhead and enjoy this out-and-back trail as you enjoy boardwalks, marshes and wonderful interpretive information along the way.
Natural Surface (1.2 miles) Lake Issac Trail Start at Lake Isaac and enjoy this loop trail as you discover waterfowl, birds and a scenic overlook of Baldwin Creek.

Brecksville Reservation

Paved (3.3 miles) – Nature Center - APT, Start at the Nature Center. Take the APT east down the hill to the CVNP Brecksville Station Train Depot and enjoy looking over the Cuyahoga River prior to turning around as you grind back up the hill. While this route is paved, there is significant elevation change.
Natural Surface (2.5 miles) – Hemlock Loop, Start at the Nature Center. Take the green Hemlock Loop. Enjoy views of Chippewa Creek Gorge as you loop back to where you started.

Euclid Creek Reservation

Natural Surface (2.6 miles) – Start at Welsh Woods Picnic Area and cross the road to get on the Squirrel Run Trail. It will soon intersect with the Glenridge Loop. Follow the Glendridge Loop for 1.2 miles until it meets back up with Squirrel Run Trail. Head south (right) and follow this beautiful trail back to Welsh Woods Picnic Area.

Garfield Park Reservation

Paved (3.0 miles) – Mill Creek Falls, Start at Trolley Turn Parking Area and move northwest on the Mill Creek Trail along E. 104th Street in this beautiful park as you head to Mill Creek Falls. Turn around when you reach the falls, but not before you enjoy the 48 foot tall falls, the highest waterfall in Cuyahoga County!
Natural Surface (1.2 miles) – Iron Springs Loop, Head out from near Garfield Park Center and hike over the bridge to get on the Iron Springs Loop. You’ll want to take your time on this trail as you enjoy gorgeous, intricate stonework nearly 100 years old. Stick to the Iron Springs Loop trail and you’ll end up back where you started!

Hinckley Reservation

Paved (3.3 miles) – APT – Paved, Bike the APT that circles around Hinckley Lake, starting at the Boathouse or the Spillway.
Natural Surface (0.95 miles) – Whipp’s Ledges, Park at Top O’ Ledges Picnic Area and hike the Whipp’s Ledges loop trail. Enjoy watching people rock climb, and be careful around cliff edges.
Water (1.5 miles) – Paddling Loop, Launch from the ramp at Hinckley Lake Boathouse and take a lap skirting the edge of this inland, flatwater lake. You can even rent a canoe, kayak, or SUP if you don’t own your own, making this a great opportunity if you are new to paddling.

Huntington Reservation

Natural Surface (0.6 miles) – APT – Paved, Start at the parking lot on the south side of Lake Road, and follow the APT to the Porter Creek Trail on your left. Follow along the Porter Creek Trail before joining the connector trail that follows the road back to the parking area.
Water (1.0 miles) – Paddle Lake Erie, Set off from the kayak launch area and paddle west alongside but outside the swimming area and back to enjoy the views of Cleveland. Be prepared for wind and waves during this advanced open water paddle on Lake Erie.

Lakefront Reservation

Paved (1.5 miles) – Edgewater – Paved, Start at Edgewater Park in the lower parking area and make your way up to the Cleveland script sign by moving up the hill behind the Beach House. Enjoy the breathtaking overlook of the city. Stop in for a drink or some ice cream on your way back.
Water (2.0 miles) – Paddle Lake Erie, Launch on the beach at Wendy Park and paddle towards the Historic Coast Guard Station as you loop around the inner harbor paddling counter-clockwise back towards the beach, staying close to the break wall.

North Chagrin Reservation

Paved (3.25 miles) – Nature Center - APT, Start at the Nature Center. Ride north on the APT to Strawberry Picnic Area looking for birds and other wildlife as you enjoy the newly enhanced Strawberry Pond area.
Natural Surface (2 miles) – Museum Trail, Start at the Nature Center. From the SE corner of the parking lot of the Nature Center - enjoy the Museum Trail as you head out to the Sylvan Loop.

Mill Stream Run Reservation

Paved (5.0 miles) – Royalview - APT, Start at the lower Royalview Trailhead parking lot. Go out to Valley Parkway and head North crossing over Route 82 up to the Chalet. Enjoy a snack, watch or participate in some Go Ape activities and then return back to where you started by heading back south.
Natural Surface (5.7 miles) – Royalview – Yellow Loop, Start at the lower Royalview Trailhead parking lot. Run, hike, or bike the Yellow Loop through young forests and enjoy interacting with other trail users. Pay special attention to trail direction as it varies from day to day on this shared use mountain bike trail.
Water (1.0 miles) – Wallace Lake – Water, Start at Wallace Lake and paddle the perimeter of the lake in either direction for a fun way to enjoy the water and get a little exercise. Kayaks and stand up paddleboards are available to rent in the summer, which makes this a great new opportunity to explore.

Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation

Paved (8 miles) – APT- Paved, Start at CanalWay Center. Make your way down the hill on the APT and turn left to head south towards Rockside Road. Enjoy the views of the canals, various bridges and aqueducts as you ride to Rockside Road. Turn around and make your way back to Canalway Center when you hit gravel at the Lock 39 Trailhead. After passing under the tunnel interceptor pipes above, turn right to trek back up the hill to Canalway Center. Be sure to stop in and explore CanalWay Center before or after your adventure.
Natural Surface (2 miles) – Mountain Bike Trail, Start at CanalWay Center. Enjoy the hilly mountain bike loop by bike or by boot, but be careful if hiking as this is primarily used as a mountain bike trail.

Rocky River Reservation

Paved (10.0 miles) – Nature Center-APT, Go south on the APT from the Nature Center the whole way to Wallace Lake. Have a snack or buy some ice cream before you circle back around to head north back to the Nature Center. (Hint: If you are feeling adventurous, paddle around Wallace Lake before turning around to knock off two activities in one day!)
Natural Surface (5.8 miles) – Cottonwood Shelter, Start at Cottonwood Shelter and walk towards the Rocky River on the bridle
trail. Go right (South) when you get to the river and stay on the bridle trail as you walk towards Rocky River Nature Center. Turn around when the trail crosses Rocky River near the nature center.
Water (1.8 miles) – Paddling, Launch from Rocky River Marina and paddle towards Lake Erie paying special attention to boat traffic, folks fishing, and others out enjoying the water. Once the river turns into the openness of Lake Erie turn around.

South Chagrin Reservation

Paved (8.0 miles) – Shadow Lake, Starting at Shadow Lake, head right (North) out from the parking lot and enjoy the APT as you progress slightly uphill most of the way until you turn around before you cross Route 91/SOM Center Rd. Enjoy the relaxing ride back if you chose to bike!
Natural Surface (0.9 miles) – LAL Loop, Start at Look About Lodge. Celebrate the beauty of Look About Lodge by taking a stroll on the short Look About Lodge Loop trail that follows the Buckeye Trail for a majority of the loop.

Washington Reservation

Paved (1.2 miles) – Arborview, Start at Washington Arborview Picnic Area. From the North side of the parking lot cross over Washington Park Blvd. and enjoy the APT as you head south (right). Feel free to stop by the picnic area/playground at the end of Beta Ave. before turning around at Harvard Avenue.

West Creek Reservation

Paved (2.1 miles) – APT, Jump on the APT anywhere in the park but head towards Blue Bird Point Overlook. Start here and move yourself 3 laps around the television towers as you enjoy wildlife and listen to the many birds in this varied upland terrain. Each lap is only 0.7 miles, so do three laps to complete this trail challenge!
Natural Surface (1.75 miles) – Gorge Loop Trail, Start at the Watershed Stewardship Center. Take the paved All-Purpose Trail (APT) from Monarch Bluff Picnic Area and stay right at any junction until you cross a bridge to ride up the Gateway Trail. Turn right onto the natural surface Gorge Loop Trail and make sure to stay alert for all trail users on this shared use mountain bike trail.

Guest Choice!

In addition to the trails listed above, you have the ability to count an additional activity by choosing one of your favorite trails and record it for one of your activities. If you are a bit more competitive, sign up and participate in any Cleveland Metroparks race or competition and that can count too! Or, participate in one of our naturalist led programs.