7 Cleveland Metroparks Hikes That Lead To Extraordinary Attractions

The Cleveland Metroparks are Northeast Ohio’s finest collection of parks, reservations, and natural spaces. These parks are so magnificent, in fact, that they’ve collectively earned “The Emerald Necklace” as a nickname. All in all, the Metroparks include more than 23,000 acres of natural space in and around Cleveland, and this massive acreage hides all sorts of secrets and surprises. If you’re looking for amazing hikes in Cleveland, you might decide to pick a park in this district and head out exploring… or, you might decide to head to a specific Cleveland Metroparks landmark. Today, we’re going to do the latter. Lace up your hiking boots and pack some trail mix, because some of the most amazing features in the Metroparks are calling your name.

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Rocky River Reservation hides all sorts of historical significance, from historic finds of fossil fish to evidence of ancient human activity. Fort Loop will lead you to the latter -- do you see those low grassy walls in the picture above? Believe it or not, those are authentic earthworks built by an Early Woodland culture, a group of peoples that populated the area until around 900 years ago. You can find Rocky River Reservation at Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted, OH 44070.

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As we continue on our trip through time, we arrive at a castle with ties to the local oil industry. Squire's Castle in North Chagrin Reservation was built by Feargus B. Squire, an executive of the Standard Oil Company, in 1897. It was intended to be a modest gatekeeper's house next to his much grander manor house and estate, but due to material constraints, the entirety of his dream was never fully realized. His manor was never built, and Squire and his daughter only camped out at their castle a handful of times. It was eventually abandoned, and today it's but a shell of a structure. However, it's open to the public and is fascinating to explore. You can find it at 2844 River Rd, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094.

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You'll have to do a double-take when you stroll past the Henry Church Rock, as it has seemingly ancient glyphs carved into its surface. The carvings are actually fairly modern, dating back to 1885. Artist Henry Church included some interesting imagery in his design, including a woman and a serpent. Though the artist and the meaning of his creation are long gone, his careful carvings stand as a testament to the vision of the area's early settlers. You can find this spot near Hawthorn Pkwy, Bentleyville, OH 44022.

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Looking for a waterfall that's close to home? Look no further than Garfield Park Reservation, a historic park in Cleveland that also hides the largest waterfall in the county. Mill Creek Falls is just barely under 50 feet in height, and it is actually a man-made feature in the park. Other man-made structures in the park include stone structures funded by the Works Progress Administration to combat the effects of the Great Depression. Today, this urban park is a true hidden gem... from the street above, you'd never guess that such splendor lies out of sight. You can find this park at 11350 Broadway Ave, Garfield Heights, OH 44125.

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That's right -- we're looping back to Rocky River Reservation for another adventure. As the biggest of the Cleveland Metroparks, it's absolutely filled to the brim with treasures. Berea Falls Scenic Overlook is one of the more magnificent overlooks in the entirety of the park district. Here, water flows over rock that was once the delta of an ancient river. Trains zip by on the bridges overhead, and the sounds of their horns combined with the flowing of water almost has the power to take you back in time. You can visit this dreamy destination at 136 E Bagley Rd, Berea, OH 44017.

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Local history is fascinating, and discovering an aspect of it preserved in glyphs is truly a rush. At Worden's Ledges in Hinckley Reservation, you will find several carvings along the 0.7-mile loop trail. Images like a griffin, human faces, and religious figures peek out of the stone ledges at this surprising site. While the site was named for the Worden family that once lived there, it was the family patriarch's son-in-law, Noble Stuart, who carved these surprising landmarks. Want to explore his artistic world? You can find it tucked away in the countryside at Wordens Ledges Loop Trail, Hinckley, OH 44233.

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Bedford is a community full of waterfalls, though many of them are on private property. The magnificent Bridal Veil Falls Scenic Overlook, reached via Buckeye Trail, is a public piece of paradise that's super fun to explore. Here, veil-like currents rush down 30 feet of shale to create a gentle but breathtaking waterfall. You can access this spot at Bridle Trail, Walton Hills, OH 44146.

There’s so much to love in the Cleveland Metroparks. Do you consider these landmarks to be some of the most amazing hikes in Cleveland? If not, we’d love to hear some of your own suggestions in the comments! Where do you like to hike in the area?

Love local hiking? Take a trip to neighboring Summit County, where more than 30 massive lakes await exploration.