Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of the most accessible and underrated hiking destinations in the United States, located between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. With over 125 miles of hiking trails, the park offers everything from mossy sandstone cliffs to waterfalls and peaceful forests, and even a historic canal towpath.
This guide highlights the best hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, waterfall hikes, and hidden gems to help you plan your perfect day outdoors.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Hiking Trails
How I Chose These Hikes
I ranked each hike based on:
- Scenic appeal – Fauna, flora, and natural attractions
- Accessibility – Trail difficulty and distance
- Photo potential – photo and video opportunity, lighting, composition, etc.
- Visitor experience – Crowd level, safety, trail interactions
1. Ledges Trail
Best for: First-time visitors, sunset views, rock formations, history
- Trailhead: Ledges Trailhead
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 2.0 miles (3.2 km)
The Ledges Trail is widely considered the best hike in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and is an amazing family-friendly hike. You’ll walk through a forest of towering trees and then drop down into a maze of sandstone ledges covered in moss. Narrow passageways, small caves, stone “walls”, and a little bit of history make this feel unlike any other Ohio hike and one of the best hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
- Check out my Ledges Trail Guide for directions, expert tips, and a virtual tour.
Hiking Tip:
- Don’t miss the Ledges Overlook. This is considered the best viewpoint in the park, especially during summer sunsets and peak fall colors. To reach it, hike this trail counterclockwise from the parking lot so you not only get better angles on the natural attractions, but also reach the overlook last.
2. Blue Hen Falls Trail
Best for: Waterfall lovers, moderate hiking
- Trailhead: Boston Mill Trailhead
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 3.0 miles (5.0 km)
Follow a section of Ohio’s long-distance Buckeye Trail through rolling hills and forest to reach Blue Hen Falls, a beautiful 15-foot waterfall tucked into a shady ravine. The hike has some steep inclines and downhill sections and road crossings, but rewards you with a quieter, more serene experience than Brandywine Falls, making this one of my favorite Ohio hiking trails and an amazing waterfall hike.
- Check out my Blue Hen Falls Trail Guide for directions, my expert tips, and watch a virtual tour.
Hiking tips:
- This trail is rarely dry, so make sure to wear sturdy shoes and trekking poles. In the winter, it may benefit you to wear yak tracks to prevent falling on ice. And no matter the time of year, continue further along this trail to reach Buttermilk Falls, making it an ultimate Cuyahoga Valley National Park waterfall hike.
3. Buttermilk Falls Trail
Best for: Waterfall seekers, off-trail adventurers, and photographers
- Trailhead: Boston Mill Trailhead
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 3.5 miles (5.63 km)
You’ll follow the Buckeye Trail to Blue Hen Falls and then past it to Buttermilk Falls, the park’s most famous backcountry waterfall. You’ll hike steep uphills and slippery downhills and across a couple of creeks before you get to the beautiful and gentle cascades, making this another amazing waterfall hike.
- Check out my Buttermilk Falls Trail Guide for directions, my expert tips, and a virtual tour.
Hiking tips:
- Avoid this trail after heavy rainfall or when the trail becomes icy to be as safe as possible. This is not officially maintained by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, so once you reach the falls, turn around (any further is into private property).
4. Twin Sisters Falls Trail
Best for: Waterfall chasers, off-trail adventurers, and photographers
- Trailhead: Towpath Trailhead
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 1.75 miles (2.8 km)
One of the best-kept secret hikes and waterfalls in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Twin Sisters Falls is a local favorite for off-trail enthusiasts and photographers alike. While the waterfalls are my favorite natural attraction of the park, the hike getting there is a close second! In my opinion, this is one of the best, if not the best, hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
- Check out my Twin Sisters Falls Trail Guide for directions, expert tips, and a virtual tour.
Hiking tips:
- Not marked or written about by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the best way to find this trail is to read the guide above and watch the Twin Sisters Falls Virtual Tour above.
- Prepare to get wet. You will have to cross a water-filled canal and then walk up a stream (sometimes ankle deep after rain) to approach the waterfall.
5. Brandywine Gorge Trail
Best for: Families, Iconic waterfall views, short scenic loop
- Trailhead: Brandywine Gorge
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 1.5 miles (2.5km)
The Brandywine Gorge Trail loops around one of the park’s biggest attractions: Brandywine Falls, a 65-foot waterfall that thunders over layered rock. A boardwalk leads to multiple viewing platforms, then the trail drops into the gorge and follows the creek through the woods, where you can even get a glimpse of Shredder Falls. This is the perfect family-friendly hike to be taken on the weekend in the summer.
- Check out my Brandywine Gorge Loop Trail for directions, expert tips, and a virtual tour.
Hiking tips:
- Arrive early in the morning or later in the evening. Parking fills up quickly on weekends, summer, and peak leaf-season days. If you want a truly special experience, visit during the fall, where the peak colors match the smell of wet leaves, making it one of the best excursions in the park.
6. Tree Farm Trail
Best for: Families, casual hikers, and photographers
- Trailhead: Horseshoe Pond Trailhead
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 2.8 miles (4.5 km)
If you want a true fairytale forest hike, then trekking on the Tree Farm Trail is a must for locals and first-time visitors. You’ll take a windy path through different sections of evergreen forest, wander through the “Christmas Tree” section of the trail that used to be part of an old farm, get glimpses of Heritage Tree farm, and even take a few minutes to relax by Horsehoe Pond (a favorite among local fishermen). No wonder this is one of the best hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
- Check out my Tree Farm Trail Guide for directions, expert tips, and watch a virtual tour.
Hiking tips:
- If you want to make this hike a truly magical experience, I recommend doing it in the winter after a heavy snowfall, giving it a surreal snowglobe feel. Not only this, but you’ll have the greatest chance to see wildlife like deer, owls, squirrels, coyotes, and even the elusive fox.
7. Towpath Trail
Best for: Accessible walkers, history buffs, bikers, and runners
- Trailhead: Towpath Trailhead
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 20 miles (31.28 km)
The Towpath Trail follows the historic Ohio & Erie Canal and is one of the park’s signature routes. Though many people bike it, it’s also perfect for a long, flat walk or run along the river, past marshes, and through historic canal features. It is also one of the best connector trails to the Cleveland Metroparks system, like the Brecksville Reservation. It is such a flat trail with so many entrances that it is the most popular Ohio hiking trail and definitely a great family-friendly hike recommendation.
- Check out my Towpath Trail Guide for directions, my expert tips, and watch a virtual tour.
Hiking tips:
- If you want one of the best spots on a hiking trail for wildlife, then I highly recommend checking out the Beaver Marsh section of the Towpath to have a chance to see beavers, birds, fish, and the occasional large mammal.
- If you love history, do not pass up the chance to learn about a critical part of Cleveland and Ohio’s history by reading the interpretative signs on the Towpath Trail.
8. Old Carriage Trail
Best for: Introverts, day-hikers, and dog-walkers
- Trailhead: Towpath Trailhead
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 5.5 miles (8.85 km)
Tucked away off the Towpath Trail, this little-known gem is the best trail to get away from it all. You’ll traverse rolling hills, deep ravines, small creeks, and pine forests. Best of all, it is pretty rare that you’ll see another human on the trail, even though you are always a few minutes away from civilization.
- Check out my Old Carriage Trail Guide for directions, my expert tips, and watch a virtual tour.
Hiking tips:
- Start this hike during dawn, you won’t regret it. This trail is full of fauna, and it would be rare that you wouldn’t see at least one of the following: deer, squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, coyotes, fox, hawks, or even a bald eagle.
9. Kendall Lake Trail
Best for: Easy scenic loop, family-friendly, birdwatching, and photographers
- Trailhead: Kendall Lake Trailhead
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 1.5 miles (2.41 km)
The Kendall Lake Loop circles a small, peaceful lake and passes through meadows and woods. It’s an ideal walk for kids, photographers, and anyone who wants a relaxing, low-effort hike. Wildlife sightings like waterfowl and mammals like deer are frequent, making it a perfect wildlife hike.
- Check out my Kendall Lake Loop Trail Guide for directions, my expert tips, and watch a virtual tour.
Hiking tips:
- Pack a picnic. There is a shelter and spots to sit and enjoy the view before or after your walk. Also, for active adventurers, pack a kayak and a fishing pole for a day on the lake.
10. Oak Hill Trail
Best for: Families, First-Time Visitors, Trail Runners
- Trailhead: Oak Hill Trailhead
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 1.5 miles (2.41 km)
Oak Hill Trail is the perfect definition of your iconic hiking trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It is on a single and double-track dirt trail, it takes you through beautiful wooded forests, it has ponds, ravines, and even creeks, and like most trails in the park, there are numerous connecting trails, making this a short hike or easy day hiking trail in Ohio.
- Check out my Oak Hill Trail Loop Guide for directions, my expert tips, and watch a virtual tour.
Hiking tips:
- Connect the Oak Hill Trail with the Plateau Trail to make it one of the best long-day hikes in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. And keep your eyes open for the Hemlock Ravine after a hard rain, as you’ll have a chance to see the Hemlock Ravine Falls.
Expert Tips for Hiking Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Check trail conditions on the official NPS site before you go. Some areas can close due to erosion or construction. National Park Service.
- Arrive early. Because the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is so close to two big cities, it gets busy on the weekends and weeknights during spring, summer, and fall. Beat the crowds and traffic by arriving early in the day (just after the sun rises).
- Wear good footwear – Due to Northeast, Ohio’s climate, the trails can be muddy, slick, and uneven almost all 4 seasons.
- Pack layers and rain gear; the weather can change quickly, especially in the shoulder seasons. I’ve been hiking in October, where it starts at 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and snows later at night.
- Respect closures and stay on marked trails to protect fragile plant life and prevent erosion. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of the few parks where you can hike anywhere in the backcountry, but to protect yourself and the park, please stay on the trails.
Quick Comparison Table
| Hike | Difficulty | Best For | Trail Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ledges Trail | Easy | First-time visitors, sunset views, rock formations, and history | 2.0 miles round trip |
| Blue Hen Falls Trail | Moderate | Waterfall lovers, moderate hiking | 3 miles round-trip |
| Buttermilk Falls Trail | Moderate | Waterfall seekers, off-trail adventurers, and photographers | 3.5 miles round-trip |
| Twin Sisters Falls Trail | Moderate | Waterfall chasers, off-trail adventurers, and photographers | 1.75 miles round-trip |
| Brandywine Gorge Loop Trail | Moderate | Families, Iconic waterfall views, short scenic loop | 1.5 miles round-trip |
| Tree Farm Trail | Easy | Families, casual hikers, and photographers | 2.8 miles round-trip |
| Towpath Trail | Easy | Accessible walkers, history buffs, bikers, and runners | 20 miles round-trip |
| Old Carriage Trail | Easy | Introverts, day-hikers, and dog-walkers | 5.5 miles round-trip |
| Kendall Lake Trail | Easy | Easy scenic loop, family-friendly, birdwatching, and photographers | 1.5 miles round-trip |
| Oak Hill Trail | Easy | Easy scenic loop, family-friendly, birdwatching, and photography | 1.5 miles round-trip |
Final Thoughts
From the iconic Ledges Trail to the hidden gem of Blue Hen Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers some of the best hiking trails in not only Ohio but all of the United States! Whether you’re seeking dramatic cliffs, peaceful forests, dog-friendly excursions, or family-friendly paths, there is a trail for everyone.
So lace up your boots, plan your trip, and explore the top hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park for an unforgettable outdoor adventure!
