Few People Know About This Cleveland Metroparks Trail Covered in Bluebells
By Nikki Rhoades|Published March 29, 2023
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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.
Springtime is a season of magic and rebirth. This stunning season splashes the landscape with color, transforming hiking trails and forests into a real-life watercolor. Wildflowers are a particularly coveted spring tradition in Northeast Ohio, as their majesty offers reprieve from the colorless and cold days of winter. And the best place to enjoy spring flowers? Why, Greater Cleveland, of course! One of the most magical springtime treats is seeking bluebells in the Cleveland Metroparks, and this breathtaking hike will take you through the heart of our famous woods. Ready your hiking boots and pack some trail mix, because you’re in for an outdoor adventure!
As the last signs of winter fade from the Cleveland landscape, something incredible happens... spring paints nature's canvas.
In the earliest days of spring, snow is still a possibility in Cleveland. Nonetheless, our hardy wildflowers withstand occasional freezes to slowly guide the landscape back to its summertime green.
Spring brings many gifts to the region, but one of the most celebrated is mertensia virginica, or the Virginia bluebell.
Also known as lungwort oysterleaf or Roanoke bells, this annual beauty comes in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. As their common name implies, these beauties are shaped like bells. They have an almost ethereal vibe!
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Bluebells, which bloom somewhere between March and May each year, have a coveted place in history and legend.
According to ancient stories, bluebells ring when fairies call their family to gather. (But if you ever hear this sound, it's a bad omen.) Indigenous people often used the edible plant as a medicine to cure a number of ailments, from tuberculosis to whooping cough. (But as a general rule, don't eat things you find in the forest just because they're said to be edible. Better safe than sorry!)
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If you're seeking bluebells in the Cleveland Metroparks, visit Hemlock Creek Picnic Area in Bedford Reservation.
This lovely section of Bedford Reservation is almost hidden... it's on a stretch of country road that's off the beaten path. Once you come to the intersection of Button Road and Dunham Road in Walton Hills, you'll spot the picnic area.
With some 2,200 acres, it's almost easier to explore Bedford Reservation in sections. In this region, you'll enjoy a playground, a ball field, grilling areas, and views of the largest tributary of the Cuyahoga River (Tinker's Creek).
Plus, you might notice that the forest floor is covered in bluebells each spring.
This beautiful spring hike near Cleveland consistently enchants visitors. It's one of many famous wildflower hikes in the Metroparks, but it's a fan-favorite thanks to the sheer number of blue beauties covering the forest floor.
If you want to immerse yourself in springtime beauty, take a wildflower hike along Hemlock Trail.
The sights and sounds offer a dose of vernal exquisiteness, and all sorts of native species line the trail. This short hike is one of many trails in Bedford Reservation. If you're looking for a longer hike, the Bridle Trail brushes up against the picnic area, too.
While the wildflowers are a huge draw, nature lovers can't go wrong with visiting the trail during the cooler months, too!
Fall and winter bring their own special brand of majesty to the local landscape. A visit to this area in each season is always a treat, so don't stress if you miss the bluebells this year!
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Springtime beauty abounds in the Cleveland Metroparks!
Find the picnic area at 14800 Button Rd, Walton Hills, OH 44146.
While there are many places to see bluebells in the Cleveland Metroparks, Bedford Reservation is a favorite destination for many nature enthusiasts. After all, the forest floor is downright covered with these ethereal beauties!
