Fort Hill | Cleveland Metroparks

This iconic landmark is one of the most picturesque locations in the Emerald Necklace. The Fort Hill Stairs ascend to stunning views 90 feet above the east and west branches of the Rocky River. After significant movement of the shale cliff alongside the steps, the original 135 steps were removed for the safety of visitors. Following the process of removal, construction of 155 new stairs began in late May 2016, opening in November 2016. In addition to growing the stair count by 20 steps, they are fifty percent wider, measuring six feet across.

Rocky River Reservation

North Olmsted, OH
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On the National Register of Historic Places, Fort Hill is an authentic earthworks site believed to have been created by the Early Woodland Indians over 2,000 years ago. The Fort Hill Earthworks are a set of three human-made, long, earthen walls and ditches built on a shale cliff 90 feet above the Rocky River. Despite erosion by wind and water, the two-thousand-year-old trenches and embankments still remain visible today. The earthworks are accessible to the public via the famous Fort Hill Stairs. With 155 steps to an amazing view, the Fort Hill Stairs are very popular for exercise and nature watching.

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