This Little-Known Trail Is Quite Possibly The Best Biking and Walking Path In Cleveland
By Nikki Rhoades|Published December 04, 2023
×
Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Lace up your hiking boots and get ready to answer the call of the wild, because there’s a brand new hike in the Cleveland Metroparks that’s awaiting your visit. These new trails in Brecksville Reservation provide an immersive experience, weaving through the rich tapestry of the stunning variety of landscapes in this park and culminating at an overlook that will knock your socks off. With roughly two miles of new trail to explore, this is the perfect hike for Clevelanders who think they’ve already explored all that the Metroparks have to offer. Check it out:
Brecksville Reservation is arguably one of the finest parks near Cleveland... and one of the biggest, too.
With 3,026 acres to explore, Brecksville Reservation is the largest park in the Cleveland Metroparks. It's just one of 18 reservations, but in size, it's as big as Acacia, Big Creek, Bradley Woods, Brookside, Euclid Creek, Garfield Park, Huntington, Lakefront, Ohio & Erie Canal, and West Creek Reservations combined. You might want to bring some trail mix to this park, because you could easily spend hours exploring it.
Right off a busy stretch of Route 82, you'll find an entrance to Brecksville Reservation with a little parking lot to the immediate left of the park sign. Here, a charming overlook allows you to absorb the beauty of this hidden waterfall. It's almost tucked beneath the road, but you'll hear its roaring waters as soon as you approach.
Advertisement
Now, however, the park is getting attention for a new reason: the Cleveland Metroparks unveiled two miles of new trails in late 2023!
The crescendo of this enchanting journey is doubtlessly this stunning overlook. It offers a breathtaking panorama of the Chippewa Creek Valley, and two cozy benches provide the perfect spot to grab a seat and take it all in.
The new trails in Brecksville Reservation include 300 feet of boardwalk, guiding you across the undulating terrain.
Brecksville Reservation is one of those landscapes that looks flat at first glance, but it's truly not. (I have certainly enjoyed a few good workouts here!) The boardwalks provide an easy opportunity to traverse the landscape, and paired with over 1,000 tons of stone surfacing, these structures captivate the eye and also ensure natural drainage.
Chippewa Creek and its tributaries have shaped this landscape, but the new route makes it easy to cross. White Oak Trail used to be a one-way out-and-back, but the expanded trail shows a new side of the landscape and makes the hike easier.
This brand new hike in the Cleveland Metroparks was unveiled in October of 2023, so many visitors have yet to check this scenic route off their bucket list.
The scenic ravines and forests of Brecksville Reservation are well worth a visit, and these new trails offer an incredible way to experience a piece of the massive park. Though the hike was unveiled in the autumn, the route promises to be beautiful in every season.
And the new overlook? Why, it's shaping up to be one of the most coveted in the Cleveland Metroparks.
Overlooks are one of the most exciting finds when hiking. They allow visitors to tower over the landscape, taking in the pure majesty of nature. While there are many worth visiting in the Metroparks, this one in particular has a certain magic about it.
Advertisement
While this new Cleveland Metroparks hike is a treat, it's just a small portion of one massively amazing park district.
There's more to discover in every corner of The Land! Connect with the Cleveland Metroparks on Facebook to keep their 18 unique reservations on your radar. It's a great way to discover future trail openings, too!
You're going to love spending time in Brecksville Reservation.
Check out a trail map to help you plan your visit. While these new trails are amazing, there's so much more to discover throughout the park!
These new trails in Brecksville Reservation were just unveiled, so you can be among the very first hikers to visit! Do you have a favorite attraction or feature in the reservation? We’d love to hear your stories and see your photos in the comments!
