The Iconic Hiking Trail In The Cleveland Metroparks Is One Of The Coolest Outdoor Adventures You’ll Ever Take
By Nikki Rhoades|Published January 30, 2024
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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.
Cleveland is a stunning city, but its parks encompass next-level beauty. Don’t believe it? Just spend some time in the Cleveland Metroparks. I know, I know. With more than 25,000 acres and 325 miles of trails, that’s no small challenge. However, if you’re looking for a hike that sums up all that our area has to offer, you’ll want to check out Royalview Trail in Strongsville, Ohio. This gorgeous hike in the Cleveland Metroparks’ Mill Stream Run Reservation is long, but there’s a milder in-and-out path you can take to make it short and sweet. Pack some trail mix and water-up that Stanley cup, because the gorgeous views in Mill Stream Run Reservation are beckoning.
Of course, I don't. This is an active cluster of trails near the Royalview Picnic Area in Mill Stream Run Reservation, so it's well traveled. Being coveted among the local mountain bike community, it's a trail full of frequent traffic, but stepping off the narrow walkway and sitting for a moment is a treat like no other.
From young forests to mighty pine canopies, this trail will take you past various stunning sights. Together, these trails stretch around eight miles, but the Red Trail includes a short an optional “out
and back “ section that is 1.2-miles round trip, making it an easy way to capitalize on the views offered in this area.
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The Yellow Loop is known for its stunning views of the creek... including a little waterfall!
Here in Northeast Ohio, waterfalls are one of the most sought-after landmarks. We have many, thanks to our abundant waterways, but most hikers set out to see bigger displays of Mother Nature's power, like Brandywine Falls. What I like about Mill Stream Run Reservation is that it feels like a hidden gem. While it gets foot traffic, it's nothing like the crowds you might encounter at bigger and more well-known area parks.
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The Yellow Loop is also known for its iconic ruins.
Something about finding ruins in the woods feels so Ohio. This spot was once a sugarhouse, a place where sap is collected from maple trees and boiled down into syrup. Looking around, it's plain to see why this stunning trail once hosted such a fixture!
If you want to keep the cozy feels going, you'll have to make your way over to the Red Loop. Here, gorgeous pines set the scene with stunning evergreen shades and tall trunks.
This trail is a bit more challenging. Slopes and ravines lead to elevation changes along your hike, but they also eventually reveal stunning views of the river below.
A few years back, we had an aboveground pool in our backyard. Life happens, there was an incident with excess rainwater, and the pool was ultimately removed. The divot it left in the ground became a vernal pool, and I've been obsessed with them ever since we spent a spring surrounded by gorgeous frog song. Vernal pools typically pop up after winter snows melt, and they're an excellent draw for amphibians. In Mill Stream Run, the abundance of waterways and vernal pools make this spot highly energetic around the time of the annual salamander migration.
And if you're a mycophile, you're going to love the mushroom and fungi scene here.
When I was a teenager, I used to collect and carve images into artist's conk. (If you've never heard of this bracket fungus, google it! It's really cool.) Nowadays, I'm a tad bit too busy for this hobby, but I still love seeking out mushrooms and fungi to admire in local parks. The abundance of mushrooms in this park is incredible... from the brown umbrella-like caps of galerina mushrooms to the gorgeous reds of amanita caesarea mushrooms, there's much to see here!
Another draw? This hike is just off of Valley Parkway, one of the prettiest drives in Northeast Ohio.
This stunning drive stretches nearly 25 miles, moving from Cleveland down into Brecksville, weaving through several gorgeous sections of the Cleveland Metroparks. No matter the season, this is a pretty route to sit back and enjoy the view.
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From gorgeous vistas to serene forests, this hike in Strongsville has it all.
Look for the trailhead at Royalview Ln, Strongsville, OH, 44136.
There’s so much to love about the hike along Royalview Trail in Strongsville. The canopy views, the local wildlife, the mushroom scene… it’s thoroughly stunning! Please keep in mind that this is a mixed-use path that’s loved by local mountain bikers, so stay on alert and be prepared to step off the path to allow them to pass.
While you’re in the area, check out the Strongsville Historical Society! It’s right around the corner. You won’t believe such historic structures and such gorgeous trails exist in close proximity to Route 82 and a bustling mall!
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