If you had time for ONE walk in a MetroPark... (Cleveland: 2015, activities)

[teacherdad]

Hey all!

I am determined to walk a MetroPark in late Jan. pending decent weather.

Of the CLE area parks, if you had time for a walk in ONE of them, which would you choose? 1-3 miles is fine.

Thanks- Rob

[WRnative]

Given this forecast, I'm not certain Lake Erie will freeze this year. If this long-range forecast holds, it's unlikely you'll encounter snow either.

Cleveland January Weather 2017 - AccuWeather Forecast for OH 44113

11 Northeast Ohio hiking trails we love | cleveland.com

Hiking and Walking | Recreation | Cleveland Metroparks

See the Table of Contents in "Best Hikes Near Cleveland:"

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Hikes-Ne...der_0762791594

Personally, I would check out Holden Arboretum, Chapin Forest, Penitentiary Glen (which has a wildlife center), and Lake Metroparks Farmpark, all in Kirtland. You also could visit the Kirtland Temple and perhaps Historic Kirtland while there.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qig5XzYavZY

Penitentiary Glen Reservation | Lake Metroparks

The Farmpark is the place to go if you've never hand-milked a cow and want to check that off your life list:

Farmpark | Lake Metroparks

It's reportedly one of the very best farm parks in the U.S.

Chapin Forest offers Gildersleeve Mountain, if you don't mind some elevation. It might offer great views, depending upon the weather, with foilage reduced for the winter.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gildersleeve_Mountain


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJvsylh4GYw

Hiking | Lake Metroparks

Lake County Park Events | Lake Metroparks

Also consider Cuyahoga Valley National Park for Brandywine Falls, even though the falls are unfortunately unlikely to be frozen, and perhaps the Ledges Trail. See the Winter Wonderland Hike scheduled for Jan. 29.

https://www.nps.gov/cuva/learn/histo...wine-falls.htm

Brandywine Falls

https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvis...nded-hikes.htm

https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvis...-SOE_FINAL.pdf

Best Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park | AllTrails.com

Holden Arboretum (not the same without snow):

Wnter Gallery at The Holden Arboretum

[216facts]

The best hike is at
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3775...9601,16z?hl=en
Park at the Hemlock Creek Picnic Area of Bedford Reservation. Start on the trail that follows Tinker's creek upstream. You can see the trail outline in the google map link. Continue on the trail as you observe the shale and sandstone cliffs narrow in around the creek. The trail comes to a 'Y'. Going right it will dead end at the creek and this is a scenic walk. Going left, you will start to climb out of the valley, it is a relentless climb of over 200 ft. Once on the top, follow the trail as you walk along the northern rim of the Tinkers creek gorge. You will have to turn back at the point you choose. You can continue to take the trail and circumnavigate the gorge, but this is about 10 miles or so. I've done this, it takes 5 hours or so because the trail has some difficult ups and downs. You simply can't go wrong at Bedford Reservation, it is a scenic, rugged, large gorge with plenty of waterfalls, and cliffs. I hike this trail year round, but it is best in the spring (Virginia blue bells) and fall (colorful leaves.)

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by 216facts

The best hike is at
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3775...9601,16z?hl=en
Park at the Hemlock Creek Picnic Area of Bedford Reservation. Start on the trail that follows Tinker's creek upstream. You can see the trail outline in the google map link. Continue on the trail as you observe the shale and sandstone cliffs narrow in around the creek. The trail comes to a 'Y'. Going right it will dead end at the creek and this is a scenic walk. Going left, you will start to climb out of the valley, it is a relentless climb of over 200 ft. Once on the top, follow the trail as you walk along the northern rim of the Tinkers creek gorge. You will have to turn back at the point you choose. You can continue to take the trail and circumnavigate the gorge, but this is about 10 miles or so. I've done this, it takes 5 hours or so because the trail has some difficult ups and downs. You simply can't go wrong at Bedford Reservation, it is a scenic, rugged, large gorge with plenty of waterfalls, and cliffs. I hike this trail year round, but it is best in the spring (Virginia blue bells) and fall (colorful leaves.)

216, I've never hiked the Tinker Creek Gorge, even though it is a National Natural Landmark. The OP indicated 1-3 miles, which would indicate 1 1/2 miles in at most. Will this be a worthwhile hike, especially if weather and trail conditions aren't great?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinker...Cuyahoga_River)

The hike to Brandywine Falls is very easy.

[L2DB]

Originally Posted by 216facts

The best hike is at
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3775...9601,16z?hl=en
Park at the Hemlock Creek Picnic Area of Bedford Reservation. Start on the trail that follows Tinker's creek upstream. You can see the trail outline in the google map link. Continue on the trail as you observe the shale and sandstone cliffs narrow in around the creek. The trail comes to a 'Y'. Going right it will dead end at the creek and this is a scenic walk. Going left, you will start to climb out of the valley, it is a relentless climb of over 200 ft. Once on the top, follow the trail as you walk along the northern rim of the Tinkers creek gorge. You will have to turn back at the point you choose. You can continue to take the trail and circumnavigate the gorge, but this is about 10 miles or so. I've done this, it takes 5 hours or so because the trail has some difficult ups and downs. You simply can't go wrong at Bedford Reservation, it is a scenic, rugged, large gorge with plenty of waterfalls, and cliffs. I hike this trail year round, but it is best in the spring (Virginia blue bells) and fall (colorful leaves.)

I was going to recommend this hike as well though because of the distance, I was going to suggest just staying along the creek.

[teacherdad]

Thanks all! I'll be sure to let you know which trail and put up photos.

[mbowes80]

There are some walks in the Cleveland Metroparks I'd make a pitch for.

Rocky River Reservation is a gem. Most of the trails are pretty short, but connect with the all-purpose trail, if you wanted to make them longer. Morley Ford Loop Trail, Fort Hood Loop Trail, and the trails near South Mastick Picnic Area are great. Several sections of the all-purpose trail and grand as well, as the whole park weaves along the river.

The Lower 40 Loop Trail in Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation is lovely. You could continue up the towpath (which goes through this metropark) to one of the overlooks, which offer grand views of the Cuyahoga.

Another pretty cool and new-ish one is the Centennial Lake Link Trail. I'm not sure how far it goes at this point, but it offer really cool views of downtown and the flats.

[216facts]

Originally Posted by WRnative

216, I've never hiked the Tinker Creek Gorge, even though it is a National Natural Landmark. The OP indicated 1-3 miles, which would indicate 1 1/2 miles in at most. Will this be a worthwhile hike, especially if weather and trail conditions aren't great?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinker...Cuyahoga_River)

The hike to Brandywine Falls is very easy.

I think 1.5 miles in and then back out would be a nice hike. However, like I said, the hike does have a pretty good elevation change, so take it easy going up - if you're not in good cardio shape.

This is one of my favorite hikes, however, the hike at Brandywine Falls is also great, as are many of the other suggestions.

[franky44022]

Originally Posted by 216facts

The best hike is at
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3775...9601,16z?hl=en
Park at the Hemlock Creek Picnic Area of Bedford Reservation. Start on the trail that follows Tinker's creek upstream. You can see the trail outline in the google map link. Continue on the trail as you observe the shale and sandstone cliffs narrow in around the creek. The trail comes to a 'Y'. Going right it will dead end at the creek and this is a scenic walk. Going left, you will start to climb out of the valley, it is a relentless climb of over 200 ft. Once on the top, follow the trail as you walk along the northern rim of the Tinkers creek gorge. You will have to turn back at the point you choose. You can continue to take the trail and circumnavigate the gorge, but this is about 10 miles or so. I've done this, it takes 5 hours or so because the trail has some difficult ups and downs. You simply can't go wrong at Bedford Reservation, it is a scenic, rugged, large gorge with plenty of waterfalls, and cliffs. I hike this trail year round, but it is best in the spring (Virginia blue bells) and fall (colorful leaves.)

I too have extensively hiked Bedford Rez, all the trails, and off-piste as well. The nice thing about the Hemlock Creek Bridle Trail is that it's relatively flat.

To the OP, Bedford Rez has a pleasant walk that features the Bridal Veil Falls. There's a boardwalk and wheelchair-accessible as well. Very pretty when it's frozen in winter. You can actuall walk across Deer Creek. There's also Viaduct Falls which might be a more impressive sight any season.



If you're looking for a simple stroll, can't go wrong with Bedford Rez or Brandywine Falls.

Me< I just stick to my neck of the woods, the West Woods, which has a spaceship at the edge of the woods



and South Chagrin, and North Chagrin Rex, which has Squires Castle



Have fun

[theurbanfiles]

It depends on how long the OP has.

I would say the best thing to do, if TRULY on a limited schedule, would be to do the Fort Hill Stairs at Rocky River Reservation, Go From the Top of the Hill at Edgewater Park and perhaps step out on the ice and take a sled ride, and then go for a Mexican Hot Chocolate at Civilization in Tremont.

But, if looking for something more rugged which hasn't already been posted, this is a solid bet also.

Hell Hollow Waterfalls