Are you looking for the best hikes in Cleveland that are kid-friendly too? Well, we’ve got a great list of 10 for you! Because the weather here in Northeast Ohio is an unpredictable beast, every single day brings a different weather pattern and what we get is often different than what is predicted. As a result, it’s hard to resist the allures of the great outdoors when a sunny day, no matter what season of the year, graces our region. There are hundreds of miles of trails crisscrossing Greater Cleveland, and many of them are the perfect length to fit into a busy day … even with children. Prepare for fun in the sun with these 10 hikes that are each less than1-mile long for the little ones in your life.

1. Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail: Scranton Flats
Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
Amanda Porcelli/AllTrails
Scranton Flats was a name once associated with less-than-desirable conditions here in Cleveland. Today, however, native plants, birds, and other critters have reclaimed the area and transformed it into an urban haven. The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail carves through the area, connecting Tremont to the Flats with an easy-to-travel paved path that stretches just over half a mile, making it one of the best hikes in Cleveland.

Address: Scranton Road, Cleveland, OH, 44113
2. Wake Robin Boardwalk Trail
Wakerobin Boardwalk Trail, 16-D-111-Y-00-022, 0, Mentor, OH 44060, USA
Steve Costell/AllTrails
Mentor Marsh in the town of Mentor is positively otherworldly. This gorgeous landscape comprises one of the largest natural marshes on Lake Erie's shore, and its proximity to the Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve makes this site an attractive site to nature lovers. Wake Robin Trail, a short and sweet hike through this incredible state park, is one of the park's most famous bird-watching sites, as well as one of the most scenic hikes in Ohio.

Address: Woodridge Lane, Mentor, OH, 44060
3. Stearns Trail
Nature Center At Shaker Lakes, 2600 S Park Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44120, USA
Elise Mascia/AllTrails
The 20-acre plot of land at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes is a breathtaking piece of paradise right around the corner from home. This beautiful site brings visitors up close to the marsh, and it also immerses them in the splendor of man-made gardens. The one-mile-long Stearns Trail takes adventure seekers on a trip through the loveliest portions of the nature center.

Address: 2600 South Park Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, 44120
4. Kendall Lake Loop
Kendall Lake, Peninsula, OH 44264, USA
Eric Walborn/AllTrails
Raw beauty surrounds the Virginia Kendall area of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Virginia Kendall Park was set aside for locals to enjoy in the 1930s, and it has delighted visitors with its untamed landscape ever since. From the Ritchie Ledges to the area's namesake lake, there's much to love about this coveted local park. Lake Loop is a short one-mile trail that offers an effortless hike through the area, delighting visitors of all ages with its untouchable beauty. If you're searching for the best hikes in Ohio, this one is a sure bet!

Address: Truxell Road, Peninsula, OH, 44264
5. Hemlock Loop
28728 Wolf Picnic Area Drive, Bay Village, OH
David Haupt/AllTrails
Along the winding course of Porter Creek is a pretty trail that offers nature lovers a short and sweet trek through serenity. At just under half a mile in length, Hemlock Loop is an effortless hike and one of the best kid-friendly hikes in Ohio. This pretty piece of heaven is located in Huntington Reservation just mere steps away from Lake Erie's shore, offering visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich habitats of Lake Erie's shore-adjacent property.

Address: 28728 Wolf Picnic Area Drive, Bay Village, OH, 44140

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6. Mayfield Village Wetlands Trail
Mayfield, OH, USA
Tim Harber/AllTrails
The Mayfield Village Wetlands Trail is an oft-overlooked oasis that has been open to the public since the late 1990s. This 24-acre space is a haven for wildlife, particularly amphibians and insect-loving birds. The one-mile loop trail around the wetland's perimeter will immerse you in the sounds of the wetland without disturbing its song-loving residents. After a visit here we're sure you'll agree that this is one of the most scenic hikes in Ohio!

Address: 425 N Commons Boulevard, Mayfield, OH, 44143
7. Lookout Ridge Loop
West Creek Reservation ohio
James & Lexi/AllTrails
West Creek Reservation is overflowing with splendor. This 326-acre reservation hides a multitude of surprises, ranging from rocky gorges to verdant floodplains. Lookout Ridge Trail offers an incredible way to experience this landscape, and it begins with a boardwalk at the edge of the parking lot. At just under a mile, this trail is perfect for a lunchtime getaway or a hike and picnic with the kids.

Address: 2277 West Ridgewood Drive, Parma, OH, 44134
8. Cahoon Creek Loop
Cahoon Creek, Ohio, USA
EyeRoller _/AllTrails
Bradley Woods Reservation, which is where you'll find the Cahoon Creek Loop, is amazingly easy to overlook, despite the fact that it boasts an incredible 795-acre campus right off Bradley Road in Westlake. Like much of the surrounding parkland, Bradley Woods includes several abandoned quarries that are intertwined with local history. Visitors love traversing the fairly undisturbed wilderness in the Cahoon Creek portion of the park, as this stretch of natural beauty is downright enchanting in every season.

Address: 4538 Bradley Road, Westlake, OH, 44145
9. Bunns Lake Loop
Bunns Lake, Westlake, OH 44145, USA
David Haupt/AllTrails
If you have called this area home since the 1980s, you just might remember the 1986 dedication of Bunns Lake. This lovely pool was dreamed up to create a waterfowl habitat, and it has accomplished just that. Ducks and blue herons alike adore this friendly landscape, and they frequently find themselves in the company of nature lovers and hikers.

Address: White Oak Lane, Westlake, OH, 44145
10. Music Mound Loop Trail
Music Mound, Baldwin Picnic Area Dr, Berea, OH 44017, USA
James & Lexi/TripAdvisor
The historic Music Mound in Berea is a hill that's long been used for local concerts (and once for Bereastock, a 1970s music festival that ended in rioting). Locals have long enjoyed the sweet sounds of nature in this area, and Mill Stream Run Reservation now offers an outdoor wonderland just across the street. The Music Mound Picnic Area offers solace in a well-trafficked area, and its namesake 0.3-mile trail, one of the most scenic hikes in Ohio, offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Address: Baldwin Picnic Area Drive, Berea, OH, 44017

There’s a great deal of natural splendor here in Greater Cleveland, and many of these pretty places offer short and sweet hikes that are perfect for anyone and everyone. Which of these trails is your favorite?

If these short trails left you impressed, you just might be brave enough to explore portions of the longest trail in Greater Cleveland.

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More to Explore

Best hikes in Cleveland

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | July 10, 2022

Where is Hocking Hills State Park?

Hocking Hills State Park is about an hour’s drive south and a little east of Columbus. The landscape is awash in beauty, so much so, that it has been recognized as the most beautiful place in Ohio. As you might imagine, hiking is one of the most popular recreational activities here and you’ll find more than 25 miles of scenic trails. Add picturesque waterfalls, rugged rock formations, and dark recess caves to the mix, and you’ll see why a visit to Hocking Hills State Park should be on everybody’s Ohio bucket trip list.

Are there any campgrounds in the Cleveland area?

There are quite a few campgrounds in the Cleveland area, each offering its own unique setting and facilities. One of the most popular is located in beautiful Mohican State Park. Camping options here include in your own tent, RV and/or trailer, or renting one of their rustic cabins. While here, be sure to take full advantage of as much of the surrounding 4,525-acre state forest offering great hiking, boating, fishing, and bird-watching opportunities.

 I’m looking for an aviation museum in Ohio.

Look no further than Cincinnati where you’ll find the Tri-State Warbird Museum, home to numerous meticulously restored aircraft from WWII. Encompassing approximately 22,000 square feet, the museum is a true historical repository that shares the stories of the veterans who served and the aircraft they built, maintained, and flew. No matter your age, you will enjoy a visit here.

What is the best burger place in Columbus?

As you might imagine, the answer to that question totally depends on who you ask! Nevertheless, I can tell you that a fan favorite since 1942 is The Thurman Café. The burgers here are outstanding, and the menu encompasses almost two dozen different kinds of burgers with some of the most unique names and ingredients you can imagine. But the eye-opener here is their famous “Thurmanator” made with two, 12-ounce burger patties alternately layered with sautéed onions, mushrooms, ham, mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickles, banana pepper, and two kinds of cheese – plus fries and a pickle spear on the side! (Make an appointment with your cardiologist before you go).

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