There’s no shame in craving a short and sweet adventure. Life is busy, and sometimes we only have a few moments to steal away and enjoy a bit of quiet time. Greater Cleveland is the perfect region for such adventures, as our parks hide a number of simple hikes that will take you on a quick but incredible journey. So without further ado, here are 10 of the best hikes in Cleveland for those who like to take it low and slow!

1. Every trail in the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve
Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve, 8701 Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44108, USA
Jerome Oppenheim/AllTrails
The Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve is an incredible sanctuary of 88 acres located right on the shore of Lake Erie. It consists of three trails, all of which add up to a mere 2.5 miles. As you travel along each trail - a feat that is easily conquerable in a single day - you'll pass through habitats like meadows, mudflats, wetlands, and forest. You will find yourself surrounded by a variety of birdsong and beauty on the shore of Lake Erie in this surprisingly lovely park.
2. Cherry Lane Trail (F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm)
F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Rd, Akron, OH 44313, USA
Summit Metro Parks/Facebook
The gorgeous Cherry Lane Trail traces its history back to Goodyear Tire & Rubber. One of the group's co-founders, F.A. Seiberling, donated more than 400 acres to the Summit Metro Parks. Though pets and bikes are not permitted on the trails of this pretty park, trails like the half-mile Cherry Lane are well worth the visit.
3. North Ravine Loop (Garfield Park Reservation)
Garfield Park Reservation, 11350 Broadway Ave, Garfield Heights, OH 44125, USA
Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook
Garfield Park is one of Cleveland's oldest parks and also one of its most wondrous natural spaces. It dates back to 1894, and visitors have been delighted with the surprising urban oasis it offers ever since . You'll discover history in the form of New Deal-era projects like roads and bridges, and even a man-made waterfall. All in all, this park is stunning, and every Clevelander should pay it a visit.
4. Meadow Loop Trail (Munroe Falls Metro Park)
Meadow Loop Trail, Tallmadge, OH 44278, USA
Summit Metro Parks/Facebook
Munroe Falls Metro Park is lovely, and its Meadows Area is out-of-this-world in terms of beauty. At a mere 0.35-mile in length, this flat and simple trail is stroller-friendly, perfect for every outing, and definitely one of the best Hikes In Cleveland.
5. Bridal Veil Falls (Bedford Reservation)
Bridal Veil Falls, Bridle Trail, Walton Hills, OH 44146, USA
AllTrails/Cindy Drake
Deerlick Creek is mesmerizing in every season, and its crown jewel is a gorgeous cascading waterfall that mimics the softness of a bridal veil. It's best to park at the All Purpose Trail and loop around to the Buckeye Trail, as you could easily spend hours in the Bedford Reservation if you hop on one of its longer paths.

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6. Quarry Trail (Deep Lock Quarry Metro Park)
Deep Lock Quarry Metro Park, 5779 Riverview Rd, Peninsula, OH 44264, USA
AllTrails/Stephanie Mae
At 1.5 miles long, this incredible trail is something of a trip through time. With views of this namesake quarry and vistas of the Cuyahoga River, Deep Lock Quarry Metro Park is a wealth of beauty. Visitors have uncovered remnants of the Ohio & Erie Canal and cuts into quarry stones that may have been left by Akron's American Cereal Works (later Quaker Oats).
7. Squire’s Castle Loop Trail (North Chagrin Reservation)
Squire's Castle, 2844 River Rd, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094, USA
Erik Drost/Flickr
There are only so many castles in Northeast Ohio, and one of them happens to be tucked away in the Cleveland Metroparks' North Chagrin Reservation. Beautiful and romantic, this hollowed-out structure is open to the public, and it is surrounded by an old growth forest. A stroll through this park offering some of the most scenic hikes in Ohio will make you feel miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
8. Ledges Trail (Liberty Park)
Ledges Trail, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Peninsula, OH 44264, USA
AllTrails/Zaid Fadul
At just over a mile, this trail at Liberty Park is a bit of a workout, but not too much of a challenge. The hike is full of splendor, and visitors will encounter Glacier Cave, a boardwalk, and a wetland all in the same breathtaking journey.
9. Wake Robin Trail Boardwalk (Mentor Marsh)
Wakerobin Boardwalk Trail, 16-D-111-Y-00-022, 0, Mentor, OH 44060, USA
Erik Drost/Wikimedia Commons
Since 1966, locals have cherished this landscape as a National Natural Landmark, and it truly has a story to tell. This collection of reed grass is gathered in what was once the Grand River, and on its boundary is a type of forest that has been largely destroyed around Lake Erie. Gorgeous, serene, and enchanting, this nature preserve is like something out of a fairy tale.
10. Hinckley Hills Trail (Hinckley Reservation)
Hinckley Hills Loop Trail, Hinckley Hiils Loop Trail, Hinckley Township, OH 44233, USA
Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook
You may think that the southernmost region of the Cleveland Metroparks is nothing special, but it is actually one of the park districts' hidden gems. Located in Hinckley Township, this gorgeous little natural space is exactly the kind of wonderland you'd expect to find in Medina County. Not only is this park beautiful, but it also hides one of the best sledding hills in Greater Cleveland!

Greater Cleveland is full of lovely landscapes, and some of them are easily accessible. What local parks would you recommend for short and sweet hiking? Share your thoughts in the comments below! If you enjoy the great outdoors, you’ll love these frozen waterfalls near Cleveland.

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More to Explore

Best Hikes in Cleveland

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | June 30, 2022

I’m looking for kid-friendly hikes around Ohio.

There are a wealth of kid-friendly hikes dotted all over the state of Ohio, so much so that you’re probably guaranteed to find at least one within an hour or so of where you live. In Groveport you’ll find the Confluence Trail. Located in Three Creeks Metro Park, it is an easy one-mile trail leading to the convergence of three of the area’s creeks. One of the most scenic hikes in Ohio, especially in the fall, is the Rowe Woods Edge Trail which runs along beautiful Powel Crosley Lake. And if you’re in in Concord Township, head on over to the Woodland Loop Trail in Concord Woods Nature Park. Here the kids can also fish and play on a playground.

What can you tell me about Mohican State Park?

Located a little over an hour southwest of Akron, and the same distance but northeast from Columbus, Mohican State Park is a true state treasure. The park itself encompasses approximately 1,110-acres but it seems larger because it is adjacent to a 4,525-acre state forest. Activities here including hiking, boating, bird watching, biking, camping, and there is also a lodge that offers a wealth of amenities. Whether you come here for the day or make a longer stay out of it, you’re sure to enjoy one of the best parks in the state.

Can you suggest a hiking trail with a waterfall?

There are so many wonderful hiking trails throughout Ohio that lead to waterfalls. One of the most popular waterfalls is the Glen Helen Falls. Located inside of its namesake Glen Helen Nature Preserve about 30 minutes east of Dayton, it is accessed by the Inman Trail. As far as degree of difficulty, the trail is a moderate one so most visitors will be able to navigate it pretty easily yet still get a good workout.

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